Week 5 in the NFL saw some interesting developments at the running back position:
- An RB1 finish for Zack Moss despite the return of Jonathan Taylor and a brutal matchup with Tennessee.
- Chuba Hubbard continuing to eat into Miles Sanders‘ snap share. Sanders does not look anywhere near 100% healthy.
- Tyjae Spears once again out-producing Derrick Henry despite a close game in Indianapolis.
- Jaylen Warren providing a spark for a hapless Steelers offense.
- Khalili Herbert cementing himself as the RB1 in Chicago.
- Emari Demercado emerging as the pickup of the week with James Conner suffering a knee injury in their loss to Cincinnati.
Speaking of Demercado, he should step into the starting role if Conner misses Week 6 after he finished with 57 yards and a touchdown on 11 touches. An undrafted rookie out of TCU, Demercado rushed for 150 yards and a touchdown in the National Semifinal against Michigan so he’s produced in a big spot before. While he isn’t an “unload the bag” type of pickup, if you are 1-4 and need a starter, he is going to get some run this week. I would be putting in modest bids on him when waivers run.
Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Rankings & Updates
Handcuff Rankings
1. Zack Moss (RB – IND)
2. Chuba Hubbard (RB – CAR)
3. Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)
4. Elijah Mitchell (RB – SF)/Jordan Mason (RB – SF)
5. Tyjae Spears (RB – TEN)
6. Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)
7. Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)
8. Emari Demercado (RB – ARZ)
9. Cam Akers (RB – MIN)
10. Roschon Johnson (RB – CHI)
11. Samaje Perine (RB – DEN)/Jaleel McLaughlin (RB – DEN)
12. Matt Breida (RB – NYG)
13. Devin Singletary (RB – HOU)
14. Dalvin Cook (RB – NYJ)
15. Rico Dowdle (RB – DAL)
Indianapolis
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Starter: Jonathan Taylor
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Handcuff: Zack Moss
I said this last week about Moss and Taylor: “… if you are trying to sell high, understand that Moss could end up with as many weeks as an RB1 for the Colts as Taylor does.” Sure enough, Moss goes out and runs all over Tennessee to the tune of 195 total yards and two touchdowns. Taylor only played on 16% of the snaps so it is obvious he was being eased back into things. I can’t imagine the Colts paid Taylor $42 million to get seven touches per week but Moss has been legitimately good this year. If I had Taylor, I would be trying to acquire Moss even if it means overpaying a bit.
Miami
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Committee: Devon Achane, Raheem Mostert, Jeffrey Wilson (On IR)
Achane comes off the handcuff report because he is effectively in a 50-50 split with Mostert at this point. We can expect Achane to have a “down” game from an efficiency standpoint but he’s too good and Mike McDaniel is too smart for that to keep him from being featured here. I’ve heard some Christ Johnson comparisons for Achane and while that is lofty praise, even Johnson didn’t average 12 yards per carry at any point in his career. Achane is an RB1 moving forward.
Editor’s Note: Achane will reportedly miss multiple weeks due to a knee injury.
Tennessee
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Starter: Derrick Henry
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Handcuff: Tyjae Spears
A week after Henry ran through, over, and around Cincinnati, he ceded work to Spears who scored a rushing touchdown and ran a route on 20 of Ryan Tannehill‘s 37 dropbacks. In games where Tennessee will be an underdog, Spears is working himself into Flex consideration because of his work in the passing game. Henry will be plenty involved when Tennessee is favored and in a positive gamescript, however. I see them riding him down the stretch as they make a playoff push as well so be patient with him.
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Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.