Every week, I’ll be reviewing the league’s top-15 running back handcuffs and providing a ranking, an explanation for that ranking, and their 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, including the potential workload they could carry.
Some disclaimers about these rankings: Austin Ekeler is technically a handcuff, though he’s been heavily involved and highly productive even with Melvin Gordon back in action, so he won’t be included here. Kareem Hunt has been removed from these rankings for that same reason. Hunt has unsurprisingly played well in three games as a Brown this season, averaging 11 touches and 59 scrimmage yards per game, including 16 total receptions. He scored his first touchdown as a Brown in Week 12, and the former rushing champ should be treated as an every-week flex moving forward.
Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber are locked into a timeshare, so neither of those players will be mentioned, either. Guys like James White, who occupy the receiving-back role, will not be included, as they carry value independent of the starter.
There is significant movement this week, as we head down the home stretch of the fantasy regular season. As mentioned above, Kareem Hunt is out after two weeks at No. 1 on this list, Rashaad Penny is on the rise after a big game, and another Pittsburgh back replaces Jaylen Samuels in the top 15. We’re another week older and hopefully another week wiser. Let’s jump into our handcuff rankings ahead of Week 13!
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1. Latavius Murray (NO): 68% owned
Murray has crept up on Alvin Kamara as of late, earning more of an even timeshare in terms of carries out of the backfield. Kamara is the preferred receiving back, limiting Murray’s overall upside. In Week 13, Murray pounded the Panthers for a 7/64/1 rushing line, showcasing his abilities. He’s still a handcuff, as the Saints have chosen not to give him the “Mark Ingram role” of years past, and he’s the top option heading into the new week.
2. Jamaal Williams (GB): 72% owned
Williams earns his fifth consecutive top-five selection in the handcuff rankings thanks to his massive potential should Aaron Jones miss any time. His involvement in a potent Packers offense means a huge opportunity would be available if Aaron Jones didn’t play. Williams caught seven balls in Week 12 and remains a reliable option for Aaron Rodgers in the passing game.
3. Tony Pollard (DAL): 13% owned
Pollard would be a weekly starter if Ezekiel Elliott missed time. Regardless, Pollard has been staying involved with the offense in the passing game as of late. 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. He jumps up in the rankings this week thanks to movement from others on this list.
4. Alexander Mattison (MIN): 23% owned
Mattison 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, though he still remains dangerously underowned.
5. Kenyan Drake (ARI): 79% owned
Drake handled all of Arizona’s running back touches in Week 11 since David Johnson was active and saw no touches. The former secured six receptions for the second straight week and has totaled 16 receptions in three weeks with the Cardinals. DJ continues to deal with injuries and it appears Drake is primed for a huge role if Johnson is officially ruled inactive at any point for the remainder of the season. Arizona didn’t play in Week 12.
6. Rashaad Penny (SEA): 18% owned
Remember me? Penny burst back onto the scene in Week 12 to remind the football world why he was drafted in the first round. He racked up 129 rushing yards on 14 carries, including a 59-yard touchdown scamper. Chris Carson fumbled yet again and ended the game with just eight carries. Penny would be a huge value to fantasy owners if given workloads like this on a weekly basis.
7. Raheem Mostert (SF): 13% owned
Mostert enjoyed early-season success with some brief run in the starting lineup, though he’s been largely out of the picture as of late. With Tevin Coleman back in action, Mostert faded, though he returned in Week 11 with Matt Breida out of action. He came through with 67 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries in Week 12 and remains an elite handcuff.
8. Benny Snell (PIT): 5% owned
Snell missed the last three games with a knee injury, but was given the green light immediately in his return. Though Jaylen Samuels has been the top back in Pittsburgh over that span, Snell took the reins of the backfield, finishing with 98 rushing yards on a healthy 21 carries. James Conner (shoulder) is about ready to return to the field, but Snell looks like the handcuff to own in the Steel City.
9. Darrel Williams (KC): 5% owned
Williams has barely seen the field as of late with Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy healthy and handling all of the Chiefs’ backfield duties, but he’s had some quality games this season. He 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. Damien Williams left Week 11 with an injury to his ribs and could miss Week 13, leaving Darrel the top handcuff behind McCoy. The Chiefs had a Week 12 bye.
10. Gus Edwards (BAL): 9% owned
Edwards provided flex value as Baltimore’s starter last season, thanks to his bruising rushing style and heavy volume. He is ahead of Justice Hill on the depth chart and he would likely be the top back if Mark Ingram had to miss time. Baltimore’s run-first offense certainly benefits Edwards’ outlook as a handcuff option. He and the Ravens face the Rams in Week 12 on Monday.
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.
12. Nyheim Hines (IND): 30% owned
With Marlon Mack (hand) on the shelf indefinitely, Hines has been elevated to the No. 2 job in Indy’s backfield. Over the past two weeks, Hines has gone 12/62/1 on the ground and 5/34 through the air and is approaching deep-league flex value opposite Jonathan Williams. If Williams is injured, Hines could be a huge value.
13. Malcolm Brown (LAR): 5% owned
Now fully healthy after dealing with an ankle issue, Brown stepped up in Week 11 with a 5/15/1 rushing line as the Rams beat the Bears. Meanwhile, Darrell Henderson didn’t see a single touch. It looks like Brown is the preferred backup to Todd Gurley. He earns a spot over the rookie here. Los Angeles takes the field on MNF in Week 12.
14. Ty Montgomery (NYJ): 2% owned
Monty would likely be in for a substantial workload if Le’Veon Bell missed time for any reason. He’s shown plenty of upside in the passing game in his time with the Packers, and he could be a highly-productive asset for fantasy owners, especially now that the Jets’ offense is cooking.
15. Wayne Gallman (NYG): 5% owned
Gallman was huge in his one-game stint as the starting running back for the G-Men and should be in for a similar workload if anything happens to Saquon Barkley. Barkley has been struggling on the reeling Giants’ offense as of late, however, and Gallman’s upside isn’t nearly what it was earlier in the year. He still makes the top-15 list, but he takes a tumble to the bottom spot.
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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.
