Welcome back to the running back handcuff report. This is my fifth season covering this for FantasyPros and I hope to have this out each Monday during the NFL season. If you’re new here, this is a brief snapshot of the top ten handcuffs and my thoughts from the week that was. This is a forward-thinking article so there will be times when I recommend getting out in front of a situation to pick up a player. If you have specific questions regarding a situation, please feel free to DM me on Twitter – my handle is at the bottom of the article.
I get the question a lot about running back handcuffs and who to target. The more traditional approach is to target the backup to your own starting running back as a means of protecting your investment. In recent years, however, there has been a push to target your opponents’ handcuffs because targeting your own is seen as somewhat of a sunken cost. My outlook on this is that rostering good players is important but with running backs, opportunity is king. If you have the chance to get a backup with a clear path to 15+ touches then you should consider rostering them, even if they aren’t a handcuff for a running back on your roster.
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Fantasy Football RB Handcuff Rankings
Missing from this list are Devon Achane and Jahmyr Gibbs, who would be the top two handcuffs in fantasy. They are both 99% owned on most platforms, however, so we will not be putting them in these rankings.
1. Jordan Mason (SF)
Elijah Mitchell went on season-ending IR so now Mason is an injury away from a feature role in one of the NFL’s best offenses. Christian McCaffery‘s calf strain is the type of soft tissue injury that can linger, making Mason the top handcuff heading into Week 1.
2. Blake Corum (LAR)
There has been a lot of speculation on the Rams backfield with the news of Kyren Williams being the team’s punt returner. The truth is, the move probably does not move the needle that much and Williams was not going to handle 90% of the touches this year. Corum will be mixed in from the get-go and if Williams, who has a history of injuries, misses time, Corum will be in for a major role.
3. Braelon Allen (NYJ)
This might be aggressive ranking Allen here but Breece Hall is one of a handful of backs who is a true workhorse, making his handcuff an easier projection than others on this list. Braelon Allen has been talked up by the Jets during camp and he was rested in Week 3 of the preseason. Neither Isaiah Davis nor Israel Abanikanda are legitimate threats to Allen’s status as Hall’s top backup.
4. Jaylen Warren (PIT)
Warren falls into two buckets to start the season. He is in the second tier of handcuffs as Najee Harris has a slight projection to lead the Steelers backfield in touches. Warren is also in a gray area of sorts as he should manage to get 12-15 touches per week on his own making him a solid Flex play. With Arthur Smith calling the plays and the Steelers lacking weapons in the passing game, they will try to establish the run in a big way.
5. Chase Brown (CIN)
Brown falls into a similar spot as Jaylen Warren. He will be in the mix for a decent touch share every week but won’t be the feature guy. Unlike Warren, Brown figures to unseat Zack Moss at some point in 2024 and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is the starter by Week 5.
6. Tyler Allgeier (ATL)
Allgeier will take a backseat to Bijan Robinson but he is still valuable. He was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2022 and the Falcons have one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in football. The Atlanta offense should be much improved this year making Allgeier a great handcuff to own.
7. Zach Charbonnet (SEA)
Charbonnet has fallen behind Kenneth Walker in Seattle, almost to the point where it appears Walker could be a 20-touch feature back. Seattle’s new coaching staff has played that close to the vest but I am putting Charbonnet in a tier below Warren, Brown and Allgeier for that reason.
8. Trey Benson (ARZ)
James Conner is coming off a 1,000-yard season but has a lengthy injury history as well. That puts Trey Benson in a strong position to be the feature back in Arizona at some point this season. The Cardinals invested a third-round pick on Benson, who could see passing down work as early as Week 1.
9. Tyjae Spears (TEN)
Spears fought hard to push Tony Pollard in camp, but it looks like he will be a complimentary piece to begin the season. He should still see plenty of work in the passing game, but it is unlikely he is the primary third-down back because Pollard can handle those situations as well. Pollard has been very durable throughout his career so keep that in mind if targeting Spears as a bench stash.
10. Austin Ekeler (WAS)
It would seem to me that Ekeler is a better fit for the Washington offense under Kliff Kingsbury than Brian Robinson. Can you trust him if he is thrust into a lead role? It probably comes down to whether or not Ekeler is healthy. He averaged just 3.5 yards per carry last year and most of the time looked like he was hobbled. If healthy, he is a great handcuff to stash at the end of your bench, and playing alongside Jayden Daniels should boost his value.
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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.