20 backup RBs to draft as handcuffs
Some believe that drafting a handcuff is a waste of a roster spot, but I completely disagree. Unless you are in a shallow league, there are a couple players that are must-handcuffs and others that you are able to get in the last rounds of your draft or even off waivers, so it will definitely be worth it.
When deciding whether or not to draft a handcuff, take consideration of these criteria:
- Is the starting RB I drafted injury prone (you can look at SportsInjuryPredictor for good indications)
- Will the backup RB I plan on drafting produce well if the starter misses time?
- Will the back RB I plan on drafting produce if the starter doesn’t miss anytime
- Can I get this handcuff at good value, or do I have to spend a mid-round pick on him?
- How good of a rushing team is the handcuff tandem on?
Unless you’re in an extremely deep league (more than 16-team) or in a Best Ball league, you definitely don’t need more than one handcuff on your roster.
My Top RBs to handcuff
- LeSean McCoy + Jonathan Williams (hamstring)
- Le’Veon Bell + James Conner
- DeMarco Murray + Derrick Henry
- Ezekiel Elliott + Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris
- Devonta Freeman + Tevin Coleman
- Doug Martin + Jacquizz Rodgers
- Todd Gurley + Malcolm Brown
- David Johnson + Chris Johnson (32 Y.O.), Andre Ellington
- Melvin Gordon + Branden Oliver
- Jordan Howard + Jeremy Langford
- Marshawn Lynch + DeAndre Washington (non-PPR), Jalen Richard (PPR)
- Spencer Ware + Kareem Hunt
- Ty Montgomery + Jamaal Williams
- C.J. Anderson + Jamaal Charles, Devontae Booker
- Frank Gore + Marlon Mack, Robert Turbin (RB2 on depth chart)
