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. Ditto Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber. Latavius Murray qualifies as a handcuff, and he earns a top spot thanks to two big weeks without Alvin Kamara. Guys like James White, who occupy the receiving-back role, will not be included, as they carry value independent of the starter. Let’s kick off the Week 10 edition of the article with 15 guys who could win you your league if given the right opportunity.

This week’s rankings feature a new No. 1 and a Pittsburgh running back in the top-five without much movement otherwise. Thanks for joining me – let’s dive in!

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1. Kareem Hunt (CLE): 59% owned
It would be irresponsible to not make Hunt the top choice in these rankings now that he’ll be active for Week 10 and beyond. He won the rushing crown as a rookie in 2017 and tore through the league with some impressive play as a runner and a receiver in Andy Reid’s system. In 27 career games, Hunt has averaged 110.6 yards per contest and totaled 25 touchdowns. He’s a sure-fire league-winner if Nick Chubb goes down.

2. Latavius Murray (NO): 84% owned
Murray was highly impressive over the last two weeks. Without Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) in the lineup for Weeks 7 and 8, he 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. New Orleans was on a bye in Week 9, so there isn’t much to add this week.

3. Jamaal Williams (GB): 72% owned
Williams is an excellent handcuff option who remains a top-five value in this article for the third week in a row, and he falls in this week’s rankings only because of Kareem Hunt’s return. His involvement in a potent Packers’ offense means a huge opportunity would be available if Aaron Jones didn’t play. Williams scored again in Week 9 and actually outgained Jones, showcasing his upside.

4. Kenyan Drake (ARI): 73% owned
Drake shredded an elite 49ers defense to the tune of 162 total yards and a touchdown, tacking on a two-point conversion in the process. If given the reins of the Arizona backfield, he could be lethal for the rest of the season, as evidenced by Thursday’s huge outburst.

5. Jaylen Samuels (PIT): 79% owned
Samuels got a crack at lead-back duties in Week 9 and didn’t disappoint. Though he struggled on the ground, he was a monster in the receiving game, going for 73 yards on 13 receptions. Samuels jumps up in this week’s rankings after showing what he can do with a full workload and because of Mason Rudolph’s love of throwing short passes to his running backs.

6. Alexander Mattison (MIN): 33% owned
Mattison falls just outside of the top five here, as he continues to play efficiently with his small workload in relief of Dalvin Cook. Without Cook, Mattison would theoretically operate as a bell-cow for a high-scoring Minnesota offense. He’s one of the best handcuffs available, and his ownership is steadily creeping up.

7. Darrell Henderson (LAR): 24% 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.

8. 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 is constantly banged up. Mostert would be an every-week play if there were injuries on the depth chart ahead of him.

9. Tony Pollard (DAL): 13% owned
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 RB2 if given a starter’s workload.

10. 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. He saw just four carries for 12 yards in Week 9, but he’s a top-10 handcuff option nonetheless.

11. Ryquell Armstead (JAC): 1% owned
Leonard Fournette has been incredible this season, and he’s been given an enormous amount of touches in Jacksonville’s offense. If he were forced out of action for any reason, Armstead would enjoy a massive bump in touches and return weekly flex value. His 5/65 receiving line in Week 9 showcased his ability as a receiver out of the backfield, adding some increased fantasy appeal.

12. Wayne Gallman (NYG): 8% 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.

13. Darrel Williams (KC): 5% owned
Williams was barely involved in Week 9, though he’s been spectacular when given a 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.

14. Justice Hill/Gus Edwards (BAL): 5% owned/4% owned
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 run-first offense, though utilizing both backs would cap the upside of the other.

15. Ty Montgomery (NYJ): 2% owned
Monty was a fantasy dream when he broke out three 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.

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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.