Running Back Handcuff Rankings: Week 4 (2024 Fantasy Football)

The handcuff list graduates another running back as Zach Charbonnet worked himself into a bell cow role with Kenneth Walker sidelined. Walker’s status for Week 4 is iffy, at best, so Charbonnet will continue to be heavily featured in Seattle. We also saw Carson Steele solidify his role in Kansas City as he had 18 touches on a 62% snap share Sunday night. While I am still high on Samaje Perine, Steele does look like the lead back in games where the Chiefs are in control.

There are a couple of situations worth monitoring right now, starting in Tampa Bay. Bucky Irving is looking like the better option on early downs, as Rachaad White is averaging just 2.1 yards per carry. Irving looks significantly better than White at this point (at least as a runner) and a switch could come as soon as this week. Irving now sits at the top of the handcuff rankings.

The other spot to keep an eye on is in Chicago, where D’Andre Swift has had a horrific start to the season. He bottomed out on Sunday, rushing for just 20 yards on 13 attempts. He also ceded work to Roschon Johnson, who failed to register a carry in the first two games of the season. Chicago has high hopes for this year but they will need to find some semblance of a running game to help Caleb Williams. There has been no indication Swift is in danger of losing his job, but Johnson (and to a lesser degree, Khalil Herbert) is worth a look.

RB Handcuff Rankings

1. Bucky Irving (RB – TB)

Bucky Irving ascends to the top spot, although I don’t anticipate him being here for long. Irving outplayed Rachaad White for arguably the third game in a row on Sunday, rushing for 70 yards on nine carries. Even his coach suggested he should have an increased workload, which could put this backfield into committee territory. It wouldn’t surprise me if Irving usurps White altogether in the next few weeks.

2. Braelon Allen (RB – NYJ)

Braelon Allen looks explosive when he touches the ball, more so than Breece Hall does right now. I won’t say Allen is the better back but with Hall getting a 70% snap share and roughly 19-21 touches per game, it is easy to see what Allen’s workload would potentially look like in the event of an injury. Allen shouldn’t be on the waiver wire in any league.

3. Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL)

I am still ranking Tyler Allgeier highly, as Bijan Robinson continues to log an 80% snap rate. Allgeier is the only other back on the roster with a touch so far this season, which tells us all we need to know. I know he isn’t as flashy as Irving or Allen but his potential touch share and track record shouldn’t be ignored.

4. Samaje Perine (RB – KC)

Carson Steele was the primary back Sunday night, handling 62% of the snaps and getting 18 touches. He ran for 72 yards and was moderately effective, and by that I mean he typically pushed the pile forward. Samaje Perine becomes the de facto handcuff in Kansas City and I think he can be a contributor, albeit in a 15-touch role. He’s a veteran and is good as a receiver, so I would roster him if I had space.

5. Alexander Mattison (RB – LV)

If you didn’t watch the Raiders on Sunday, you’d look at the box score and assume Alexander Mattison is now the goal-line back. The reality is that he was in for a running play that resulted in a first down, the Raiders hurried to the line to keep Carolina from challenging the spot and Mattison scored on the next play. Mattison played a season-high 44% of the snaps, so if you’re looking for a reason to rank him highly, that is the data point to look at. It will still be hard to trust any Raiders running back for as long as this offense is stuck in first gear.

6. Chase Brown (RB – CIN)

I’ve been reluctant to rank Chase Brown but with the Bengals sitting at 0-3, I think some changes are coming. Brown saw a season-high nine touches and turned those into 69 total yards Monday night. Zack Moss isn’t completely washed and he’s running well but the Bengals need playmakers and Brown gives them one. Don’t be surprised if he is more involved moving forward.

7. Ray Davis (RB – BUF)

It’s tough to glean much from Monday night because Buffalo routed the Jaguars but Ray Davis continues to see usage behind James Cook. The snap percentages in a game like this can be a bit misleading, but not much has changed here. Davis would handle early-down work with Ty Johnson mixing in on third downs.

8. Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)

I am moving Jaylen Warren down after he was nicked up on Sunday. I am beginning to wonder if his leg injury is something that will linger all season, which severely hampers his outlook. It does put Cordarrelle Patterson on the radar, as he played a season-high 34% of the snaps. He recorded four carries for 33 yards. Patterson’s most effective seasons as a runner were in 2021 and 2022 with Arthur Smith. It should be noted Najee Harris was spotted wearing a sling in the Pittsburgh locker room, so he isn’t anywhere near 100%.

9. Trey Sermon (RB – IND)

It might be a bit of a shock to see Trey Sermon here but Jonathan Taylor is getting an 80% snap share and his touch share is over 90%. If he were to miss time, Sermon would be the big beneficiary and probably step into a 12-15 touch role. While it is still early in the season, at some point he becomes an interesting add.

10. Roschon Johnson (RB – CHI)/Khalil Herbert (RB – CHI)

I touched on this situation in the opening, but D’Andre Swift isn’t getting it done. Roschon Johnson finally saw the field in Week 3 and will be popular this week on waivers. He is worth a bench stash as the Bears need to do something to take the pressure off Caleb Williams. The long-term add here is Khalil Herbert, who has been effective in the past. He seems to have fallen out of favor in Chicago, but if they lose a few more games, they may go right back to him.

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

Articles NFL Rankings Waiver Wire NFL Weekly Advice Zach Charbonnet Kenneth Walker Carson Steele Samaje Perine Bucky Irving Rachaad White D’Andre Swift Roschon Johnson Caleb Williams Braelon Allen Breece Hall Tyler Allgeier Bijan Robinson Alexander Mattison Chase Brown Zack Moss Ray Davis James Cook Ty Johnson Jaylen Warren Cordarrelle Patterson Najee Harris Trey Sermon Jonathan Taylor Khalil Herbert