Happy Thanksgiving! This week, I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read the Handcuff Report every week. I know the article can be a little wordy (not everyone’s glass of scotch as a means of absorbing info), but I hope you’ve found it at least somewhat helpful.
This week, I am going to shorten things up for a couple of reasons. Obviously, with it being a holiday week, things are tighter around my schedule and yours. Also, there wasn’t a lot of movement with most backfields in Week 11. We did see the return of Clyde Edwards-Helaire in Kansas City, but he was eased into things as Darrel Williams still saw 53% of the snaps. The good news for CEH is that he handled 14 touches (to just six for Williams) and looked like he had a good burst. Williams will see some work, but this looks like CEH’s backfield.
Two other storylines I’m following: The Jets and Cowboys. In New York, Michael Carter has what appears to be an ankle sprain that will keep him out 2-3 weeks. Ty Johnson, who was on just 18% of rosters heading into last weekend, is the one most people will flock to. At this point, you’re trying to get whatever upside you can, and Johnson offers that. However, Tevin Coleman out-touched him on an identical snap share. Johnson would be the add for me if I had to choose, but it wouldn’t shock me if he and Coleman are an ugly committee.
In Dallas, Zeke Elliott tweaked his knee and came out of the game briefly. Tony Pollard looked as good as ever, turning nine touches into 70 yards. With the Cowboys on a short week and devoid of weapons with Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb out for Thursday, we can reasonably project Pollard to get 12-15 touches. If Dallas operates in a run-heavy gameplan against a beatable Las Vegas front seven, Pollard could see 15-20 touches. He should be 100% rostered.
As for Week 12, you should be hoarding running backs if you have the roster spots. Better to be overprepared for nothing than underprepared for disaster.
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Handcuff Rankings
Should Be Rostered in 10-teams or less
- Tony Pollard (DAL) – 76% Rostered, should not be on the waiver wire this week. Add him.
- Alexander Mattison (MIN) – 51% Rostered
- Chubba Hubbard (CAR) – 43% Rostered
- Devontae Booker (NYG) – 47% Rostered
- Khalil Herbert (CHI) – 25% Rostered
- Sony Michel (LAR) – 28% Rostered
- Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) – 58% Rostered
- Mark Ingram (NO) – 84% Rostered
- Alex Collins (SEA) – 61% Rostered, may pop at some point for a big game down the stretch. And by “big game,” I mean 70 yards and a touchdown.
- *AJ Dillon, Kareem Hunt, and Darrel Williams also slot in here but are 90% Rostered or more.
Should Be Rostered in 12-Teams or less
- D’Ernest Johnson (CLE) – 55% Rostered
- Ty Johnson (NYJ) – 21% Rostered will be a priority this week, but I can’t recommend him in shallower leagues.
- Devin Singletary (BUF) – 76% Rostered, outsnapped Zack Moss on Sunday
- Jamaal Williams (DET) – 39% Rostered
- Devonta Freeman/Latavius Murray (BAL)
- Samaje Perine (CIN) – 6% Rostered
- Carlos Hyde (JAX) – 13% Rostered
The Rest
I would rank these backs who are widely available in this order:
- Kenyan Drake (LV) – PPR/Peyton Barber (LV) – Standard
- J.D. McKissic (WFT) – PPR
- Jordan Howard (PHI) – Managed to get ten touches. Eagles want to run the football.
- Gio Bernard (TB) – PPR
- Matt Breida (BUF) – Outsnapped Zack Moss on Sunday due to a blowout.
- Tevin Coleman (NYJ) – May end up with more touches than waiver wire darling Ty Johnson.
- Kallen Ballage (PIT)
- Ronald Jones (TB) – Got some Red Zone looks last night. Tampa Bay struggle with the run game, however.
- Salvon Ahmed (MIA)
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Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.
