Every week, I’ll be reviewing the league’s top-15 running back handcuffs and providing a ranking, an explanation for that ranking, and Yahoo ownership. These rankings are based on the league-winning upside that each of these players possesses should the starter ahead of them miss time.
With Melvin Gordon back in the fold, Austin Ekeler is technically a handcuff, though he’s likely to remain involved enough to provide starter-caliber value some weeks, so he won’t be included here. The same goes for Ito Smith, who has played in a fairly-even timeshare with Devonta Freeman. Ditto Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber. Latavius Murray qualifies as a handcuff, and he is the top pick this week after another massive effort. Guys like James White, who occupy the receiving-back role, will not be included, as they carry value independent of the starter. Because these are weekly rankings, Kareem Hunt doesn’t make the list yet, as he’s not active. Let’s kick off the Week 9 edition of the article with 15 guys who could win you your league if given the right opportunity.
This week’s rankings didn’t see a lot of movement, with the exception of Jamaal Williams, who finds himself just below the new No. 1, Latavius Murray, and Raheem Mostert, who makes his first appearance in the top five. Thanks for joining me — let’s dive in!
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1. Latavius Murray (NO): 88% owned
After two weeks of lead back duty, it would be criminal not to award Murray the No. 1 ranking in this article. Without Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) in the lineup for Weeks 7 and 8, Murray has compiled a ridiculous 307 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns while operating as a three-down back, showcasing his ability to handle a substantial workload and achieve weekly RB1 status.
2. Jamaal Williams (GB): 62% owned
Williams found the end zone for the third week in a row, despite some big games from Aaron Jones, and he’s now scored in four of six games in which he played the entire contest. Williams is an excellent handcuff option who remains a top-five value in this article for the second week in a row, though he has vaulted up to second place for good reason. His involvement in a potent Packers’ offense means a huge opportunity would be available if Aaron Jones didn’t play.
3. Kenyan Drake (ARI): 58% owned
Drake immediately jumps into the top five this week after a surprising trade to the Cardinals. The move means David Johnson is obviously more banged up than previously assumed, while Chase Edmonds’ hammy can’t be in good shape either. Drake is owned in over half of Yahoo leagues, but if you can make a move to grab him, you should. He’s primed for a big role if Johnson’s injuries linger, and we’ve seen how impressive he can be on the ground or as a receiver.
4. Alexander Mattison (MIN): 24% owned
Mattison rumbled, bumbled, and stumbled his way to 63 yards Thursday behind Dalvin Cook in yet another Vikings’ win. The backup has been bigtime in his limited action, and he would step into a sizeable workload should Dalvin Cook be sidelined. Mattison is an elite handcuff, falling to third because of Williams’ rising star.
5. Darrell Henderson (LAR): 27% owned
Henderson played a bigger role in Week 7 with Todd Gurley ailing and Malcolm Brown (ankle) still banged up. He reprised that role in Week 8 by out-carrying Gurley 13-10 out of the backfield. The Rams are on a Week 9 bye, but Henderson is a must-own, especially as Gurley was spotted getting some attention to his knee before the game ended.
6. Raheem Mostert (SF): 6% owned
He’s faded into the background with Tevin Coleman back in action, but the 49ers love to run the ball, and Mostert would be in line for a huge workload and fringe-RB1 status if given a starting job in this backfield. Let’s not forget the upside Mostert possesses. In Weeks 2 and 3, Mostert totaled 230 total yards and a touchdown on 28 touches while splitting time with Matt Breida. Having missed time due to injury already, Coleman isn’t a lock to be healthy for the rest of the season, and Matt Breida exited Week 8’s matchup early with an ankle injury. In relief work this week, Mostert toted the ball nine times for 60 yards and a score. Breida’s injury and San Fran’s surging offense place Mostert in the top five this week.
7. Tony Pollard (DAL): 13% owned
Dallas had a Week 8 bye, so there’s no updated information on Pollard ahead of Week 9. Pollard would be a weekly starter if Ezekiel Elliott missed time. He has the advantage of playing behind a fantastic offensive line on a team that loves to run the ball. Pollard has busted off some highlight runs in the little action he’s seen, and he should be treated as a ready-to-go RB1/2 if given a starter’s workload.
8. Rashaad Penny (SEA): 31% owned
Penny offers a good level of upside as a starter should Chris Carson miss any time in the future. The first-round pick is a great handcuff to own, though he’s far from elite at this point. Penny has fallen to a very low-usage role in Seattle’s offense, but he looked good in Week 8 with eight carries for 55 yards.
9. Jaylen Samuels/Benny Snell (PIT): 18% owned/8% owned
Both of these backs need to be owned, as James Conner has dealt with a series of injuries this season. Samuels and Snell have displayed superb potential when given a healthy dose of snaps, and missed time from Conner would make either player a quality starting option.
10. Wayne Gallman (NYG): 12% owned
Saquon Barkley didn’t miss a beat after sitting out a trio of games with a high-ankle sprain, and his elite play means there isn’t much work to go around in the backfield. Gallman, though, is a highly-useful handcuff who could have some huge games if given a starting nod in the Giants’ offense.
11. Darrel Williams (KC): 7% owned
Williams was barely involved in Week 8, though he’s been spectacular when given the chance. Darrel Williams went for 165 yards and two touchdowns from Weeks 3 and 4 with Damien Williams out due to a knee injury, showing his ability to catch out of the backfield and run the ball between the tackles. If Damien Williams or LeSean McCoy are forced to miss any time, Darrel will see an increased role once again.
13. Justice Hill/Gus Edwards (BAL): 5% owned/4% owned
Baltimore was on a bye in Week 8, so there isn’t anything new to add about Edwards or Hill this week. Edwards provided flex value as Baltimore’s starter last season, but he’s a one-dimensional guy, operating as a bruiser with limited involvement as a receiver. Hill is the more complete back with a higher ceiling, though both players need to be owned as handcuffs to Mark Ingram. Edwards is ahead of Hill on the depth chart for the moment, but that could certainly change. There’s plenty of work to go around in this backfield.
14. Ty Montgomery (NYJ): 2% owned
Monty was a fantasy dream when he broke out two seasons ago, thanks to his rushing and receiving abilities. The former receiver’s skillset would do wonders for him in New York, particularly if given the lion’s share of backfield touches. The Jets have one of the most running back-friendly schedules for the back half of the season, and Montgomery would be an instant flex play with RB2 upside should Le’Veon Bell miss any games.
14. Reggie Bonnafon (CAR): 4% owned
It was an unusually tough week for the Panthers, who faced a stout 49ers’ defense. Carolina had few chances to run the ball, let alone get backups involved, though the team preferably relies on its ground game, and Bonnafon could offer some quality value if Christian McCaffrey weren’t on the field. The athletic and explosive Bonnafon deservedly falls into the list of top handcuffs.
15. Giovani Bernard (CIN): 6% owned
Gio went for 45 yards on just five touches in Cincinnati’s Week 8 loss, showing that he typically turns his smattering of touches into a respectable scrimmage yards total. Bernard would be higher on this list if not for the sputtering Bengals’ offense and patchwork offensive line. He’s been one of the most consistently great backups in the league since he was drafted by the Bengals in 2013. From 2013-2017, he averaged 992 yards from scrimmage. He’s been a flex play as a backup and delivered some excellent performances when given a starter’s workload over the years.
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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.
