Running Back Handcuff Report: Week 10 (2022 Fantasy Football)

Week 9 was brutal for bye weeks, but as we begin to get these out of the way for teams, handcuffs for your starters should be a priority. I understand that in most leagues, a lot of these backs are already 40-50% owned, but in spots where they aren’t, you need to give yourself a puncher’s chance if your stud running back goes down. I would begin to make whatever moves are necessary to lock these players up in the event of an injury during your stretch run.

Arizona

Starter: James Conner
Handcuff: Eno Benjamin (Strong Hold)

Arizona’s backfield was no different than what we have seen. With Conner back, he played 72% of the snaps, which reduced Eno’s role to scraps (26% snap share, 5 touches). While Conner didn’t do much with his 12 touches, gaining just 64 yards, seeing him handle such a significant snap share was positive. Benjamin is still worth holding, especially if you have Conner, as the Cardinals are not much for committees in their backfield.

Atlanta – Committee

Cordarelle Patterson
Tyler Allgeier (Hold in 12+ Team Leagues)
Caleb Huntley (Drop)
Avery Williams (Drop)

Last week I said with Cordarelle Patterson back, I’d bank on Allgeier being on the field for about 40% of the snaps, with Huntley being a distant third in the rotation. Sure enough, Allgeier played 38% of the snaps (same as Patterson), and Huntley played 22%. While Patterson scored two touchdowns, Allgeier finished with 123 scrimmage yards on just 11 touches. The matchup was cherry, but Atlanta’s preferred method of doing things offensively is through the run game. I’d be holding Allgeier.

Baltimore – Committee

Gus Edwards (Pickup)
Kenyan Drake (Hold in 12+ Team Leagues)
Justice Hill (Drop)

Baltimore’s bye week comes at a good time because this backfield is the walking wounded. Gus Edwards missed Monday night which thrust Kenyan Drake into a feature-back role. He responded with over 100 scrimmage yards on a whopping 26 touches and two touchdowns. Edwards and JK Dobbins could both be looking at a return in Week 11, which would relegate Drake to more of a complimentary role.

Buffalo

Starter: Devin Singletary
Handcuff: James Cook (Hold in 12+ Team Leagues)
Handcuff: Nyheim Hines (PPR bench stash)

Unsurprisingly, Nyheim Hines was used sparingly, but I look for that to change beginning next week. What that means for Singletary, is hard to say.

Carolina – Committee

D’Onta Foreman (Hold)
Chuba Hubbard (Hold)

Foreman’s 42% snap share looks scary at first glance but with Carolina down 35-0 at halftime, it’s not surprising. This is the danger of having volume-based running backs on bad teams, though. When they get behind, they are going to torpedo your lineup. I’m not overreacting here, and I am still more than happy to have Foreman on several rosters.

Chicago

Starter: David Montgomery
Handcuff: Khalil Herbert (Hold in all formats)

This was the third straight game with 240 or more rushing yards for the Bears, but Justin Fields did most of the damage. Still, this offense has undergone a major facelift. Chicago is playing to the strengths of Justin Fields and keeping the ball on the ground. This is a positive development for both Montgomery and Herbert, the latter of whom deserves better than 11 touches per game. For Montgomery, he is getting by on snap share (69%) and his requisite 15 touches per game. I don’t love him as a fantasy option, but those aren’t numbers you can ignore.

Cincinnati

Starter: Joe Mixon
Handcuff: Samaje Perine (Hold if you roster Mixon)

I’m not sure if anyone noticed, but Joe Mixon had a decent game Sunday. He scored five touchdowns and had 211 scrimmage yards, finishing with a 50-burger in fantasy. That he did this in three-quarters of action makes it all the more incredible. This was the 2nd best fantasy day for a running back in history behind Alvin Kamara‘s six-touchdown game two years ago. Cincinnati should make Mixon the focal point while Ja’Marr Chase is out. Hopefully, this is just the beginning for him.

Cleveland

Starter: Nick Chubb
Handcuff: Kareem Hunt (Hold in all formats)

Cleveland had a bye, and I am hopeful Nick Chubb caught 200 balls a day from a Jugs Machine.

Dallas

Starter: Ezekiel Elliott
Handcuff: Tony Pollard (Hold in all formats)

Dallas had a bye to get Elliott healthy to rush for 72 yards on 19 carries.

Denver – Committee

Melvin Gordon III (Hold in 12+ Team Leagues)
Latavius Murray (Hold in 12+ Team Leagues)
Mike Boone (Drop)

Denver had a bye, giving Russel Wilson a chance to cook up something on the grill. I heard he burned his house down in the process. This is a joke. And a metaphor.

Detroit

Starter: D’Andre Swift
Handcuff: Jamaal Williams (Hold in all formats)

Swift’s snap share fell all the way to 16% Sunday, as he got just 5 touches. He did look good on his three receptions, but obviously, he isn’t right. Williams got 24 carries for 81 yards, playing on almost a 70% snap share. That is the same type of bankable volume as Dameon Pierce but in a better offense. Williams has worked himself into the trust tree moving forward. Keep an eye on Swift’s practice routine this week as well.

Green Bay

Starter: Aaron Jones
Handcuff: A.J. Dillon (Hold in all formats)

This was a smash spot for Green Bay’s running game, but the Packers finished with just 106 yards as a team. Jones got hurt and missed most of the 2nd half on Sunday. Initial reports say he dodged a bullet and the injury isn’t serious, but we will need to monitor practice reports this week. If he misses, Dillon is an RB2 based on volume, but this offense is in shambles right now.

Houston

Starter: Dameon Pierce
Handcuff: Rex Burkhead (Hold if you roster Pierce)

Pierce rushed for 139 yards, 116 of which were after contact on Thursday. He isn’t being challenged for snaps (79%) or carries (27), so Pierce is the centerpiece of the offense here. My only issue with him is the lack of a passing game role in an offense that ranks 31st in Red Zone opportunities per game. He Pierce isn’t going to catch 4-5 passes a week, he’s going to have to pop a long run for a score. That type of profile is not necessarily one that wins you a fantasy championship. As crazy as it sounds, I would consider selling him if you can get the right return.

Indianapolis

Starter: Jonathan Taylor (Buy)
Handcuff: Deon Jackson (Hold if you roster Taylor)
Handcuff: Jordan Wilkins (Not yet)

With Taylor being ruled out due to his ankle injury, Jackson got the start, but the results were much different than his previous feature role. He rushed for just 36 yards on 13 carries, although he did see a 63% snap share and most of the passing game snaps. The Colts were horrendous offensively, however, as Sam Ehlinger was sacked nine times, and they were held under 200 yards of total offense. I think it will be hard to trust any pieces of this backfield in the short term. With Frank Reich’s firing, things are grim here.

Jacksonville

Starter: Travis Etienne
Handcuff: JaMycal Hasty

A third straight 100-yard game for Etienne on 81% snaps and a whopping 30 touches makes him a shoo-in RB1. I don’t think Jacksonville will continue to give him that kind of touch share, but very few backs can do more with less than he can. If he stays upright, he will challenge for a top-5 finish at the position.

Kansas City

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Sell)
Jerick McKinnon (Hold 12+ team PPR leagues only)
Isiah Pacheco (Hold)

Las Vegas Raiders

Starter: Josh Jacobs
Handcuff: Zamir White (Hold if you roster Jacobs)

Jacobs has regressed after ripping off three straight 30+ PPR performances. He hasn’t been used nearly as much in the passing game, but the good news is that the snap share (68%) and touches (20) remain very solid. Interestingly, in those three games where Jacobs played so well, the Raiders went 2-1, and their only loss was to Kansas City in a 30-29 thriller. Perhaps Josh McDaniels should stick to what was working.

Los Angeles Chargers

Starter: Austin Ekeler
Handcuff: Isaiah Spiller (Pickup in 14+ team leagues)
Handcuff: Joshua Kelley (On IR)

Ekeler was his normal self, with 21 touches (seven receptions) and two touchdowns. His receiver and touchdown equity roles are as good as any back in the league. He was the only legitimate offensive weapon the Chargers had Sunday. My big takeaway here was Isaiah Spiller saw 20% of the snaps and got seven carries. Don’t be surprised if he is inserted into the lineup more often to keep Ekeler’s wheels from falling off.

Los Angeles Rams

Starter: Darrell Henderson, Jr.
Handcuff: Cam Akers (I guess?)

I said last week there isn’t a single usable piece here, and I will double down on that. Henderson getting 50% of the snaps and leading the backfield in touches looks encouraging. Then you see 56 yards rushing and an offensive line that can’t block anyone and quickly realize mistakes were made. It is quite the fall from grace for the Super Bowl Champions from last season, but here we are.

Miami – Committee

Raheem Mostert (Hold)
Jeff Wilson, Jr. (Hold)

How is this for a committee? A near 50/50 split of the snaps on Sunday, with both backs getting nine rushing attempts and scoring a touchdown. We can’t expect them both to score every week, which makes them the worst kind of back-to-own: The type that you hate to bench because they possess upside in a good offense but the type that can give you 3.7 fantasy points more often than not. I’m glad I have very little of either one right now.

Minnesota

Starter: Dalvin Cook
Handcuff: Alexander Mattison (Hold in all formats)

Elite usage for Cook once again this week as he played 86% of the snaps and is past the shoulder injury that plagued him before the bye week. It is easy to look past Cook from the perspective that his touches aren’t turning into a massive output (just 56 total yards and a touchdown Sunday), but Minnesota will need him down the stretch. I recommended buying two weeks ago and will continue beating that drum.

New England – Committee

Rhamondre Stevenson
Damien Harris

Stevenson was reasonable on Sunday, scoring 15.1 PPR points (70 scrimmage yards and a touchdown) on a 73% snap share. This game was played at a slow pace, and the Patriots seemed content to dink and dunk down the field while allowing their defense to suffocate Indianapolis. As I mentioned last week, there is some fragility here. Mac Jones doesn’t seem to have a clue and has regressed quite a bit. Harris should be back this week so we will see what that does to Stevenson’s workload as well.

New Orleans

Starter: Alvin Kamara
Handcuff: Mark Ingram (Hold if you roster Kamara)

Kamara’s output (12 touches, 62 yards) was disappointing Monday night, given the dearth of options in the New Orleans offense. However, this is what we will have to live with, as Andy Dalton will struggle to move the ball consistently. Kamara is still knocking on the door as an every-week RB1, but New Orleans needs to get the ball in his hands 18-20 times a game.

New York Giants

Starter: Saquon Barkley
Handcuff: Matt Breida (Hold in 12+ team leagues only)

Saquon and the Giants got a breather this weekend. They get the Texans, Lions, and Cowboys in the next three weeks, so saddle him up.

New York Jets

James Robinson (Hold)
Michael Carter (Pickup this week)
Ty Johnson (Not yet)

Carter played well Sunday, totaling 86 yards and a touchdown on a 52% snap share. While he doesn’t compare to Breece Hall, I don’t see how the Jets quit going to him. Carter played reasonably well last year but should be kept around 13-15 touches a week. Robinson had a workman-like 48 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown, playing 4/5 snaps inside the 10-yard line. This isn’t the most explosive backfield but can be serviceable in a pinch.

Philadelphia

Starter: Miles Sanders
Handcuff: Kenneth Gainwell (Hold if you roster Sanders)
Handcuff: Boston Scott (Drop)

It was disappointing that Sanders didn’t go over 100 yards, but 93 and a touchdown works just fine. We can safely assume between 15-17 carries for Sanders each week with some outliers: He had 27 in a Week 4 win in the rain and just nine in Week 8, where Hurts cooked the Steelers through the air. He is a weekly RB2 with upside because of his work inside the Red Zone. Gainwell played just 27% of the snaps, operating as the passing down back. If Sanders rolls an ankle, I think we’d see a Gainwell/Boston Scott split, but Hurts would be the one to see more meaningful volume.

Pittsburgh

Starter: Najee Harris (Sell)
Handcuff: Jaylen Warren (Hold in 12+ team PPR leagues)

The Steelers had a bye to try and figure out how to get Najee Harris going. Maybe the trade of Chase Claypool will open up an additional target or two for him.

Seattle

Starter: Kenneth Walker
Handcuff: DeeJay Dallas (Hold if you roster Walker)

Walker continues to see an elite snap share (76%) and looks like the Offensive Rookie of the Year. He finished with 129 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns, leading Seattle to a fourth straight win. He is a matchup-proof RB1 in all formats at this point. Of note, Travis Homer played 26% of the snaps to DeeJay Dallas’s 3%. I think that is more a function of Homer working as a passing down back. If Walker missed time, I think Dallas would be the early down back, making him a touchdown-dependent Flex play. Do with that what you will.

San Francisco

Starter: Christian McCaffery
Handcuff: Tyrion Davis-Price (waiting on Eli Mitchell)

San Francisco had their bye, which should make McCaffery even more comfortable in the offense. He is pushing to be the RB1 for the season.

Tampa Bay

Starter: Leonard Fournette
Handcuff: Rachaad White (Hold in all formats)

It is getting increasingly difficult to get excited about Fournette and his 3.3 YPC. I guess you can talk yourself into him as a PPR option (5/41 in the passing game), but things are getting thin here. If White is available, I would have him on my roster. Despite the pass-heavy nature of the Bucs, I think, at some point, we will see him take over things.

Tennessee

Starter: Derrick Henry
Handcuff: Dontrell Hilliard (Hold if you roster Henry)

Henry had just a 58% snap share but finished with 115 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 17 carries. It was remarkable that the Titans pushed this game to OT, considering they had 57 yards passing. Henry is the only thing this offense has going for right now, but the division is winnable, and I like that he’s seen 57% and 58% snap shares in the last two weeks. He can still get there on yards and touchdowns, and they have him on somewhat of a snap count to keep him fresh for December.

Washington – Committee

Brian Robinson (Sell)
Antonio Gibson
J.D. McKissic

This situation is tough because this offense does enough to stay in games, but turnovers are killing them. The window to offload Robinson slammed shut as he looks slow and is being out-snapped by Antonio Gibson. I can’t recommend any piece here as someone I would start, but Gibson is at least seeing 50% of the snaps if I were desperate. It’s just not a great backfield to be invested in.

Handcuff Rankings

1. Tony Pollard (DAL) – Best running back in Dallas.
2. Khalil Herbert (CHI) – Best running back in Chicago.
3. Alexander Mattison (MIN)
4. Jamaal Williams (DET) – Feature role in Week 9. Swift isn’t right.
5. A.J. Dillon (GB) – Could get the start this week.
6. Rachaad White (TB) – Beat writers saying he will takeover by the end of the season.
7. Kareem Hunt (CLE)
8. Eno Benjamin (ARZ) – Back to being a handcuff, but a good one.
9. Jaylen Warren (PIT) – Rumors around Pittsburgh is that he is starting on Sunday.
10. James Cook (BUF) – Hines acquisition hurts a bit.
11. Dontrell Hilliard (TEN)
12. Samaje Perine (CIN)
13. Matt Breida (NYG) – With their bye out of the way, I’d have him if I had Saquon.
14. DeeJay Dallas (SEA)
15. Zamir White (LV)

Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.