Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Rankings: Week 16 (2025)

With the fantasy football playoffs in full swing, this will be the final handcuff report of the 2025 season. The fantasy season seems to come and go in the blink of an eye. For those of you who have followed along this year, I hope you enjoyed the article and got good use out of it. We definitely had some hits (Woody Marks, Devin Neal, Emanuel Wilson) as well as some big misses (Bhayshul Tuten, Hassan Haskins).

As we enter the fantasy playoffs, I hope you are able to get the big trophy. I also want to wish everyone happy holidays. Enjoy the next few weeks and all the football that comes with it. I will be back in the offseason with mock drafts and a look at the upcoming rookie class. For now, here are 10 backfields to monitor for the rest of the season:

Arizona Cardinals: Bam Knight got hurt on Arizona’s first play from scrimmage and didn’t return. That opened the door for Michael Carter to get plenty of run. He finished with 94 scoreless yards, and I would consider him a Flex play in PPR leagues. Arizona will probably continue to throw it 40+ times a game, which probably lends itself better to Carter anyway.
Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton returned from injured reserve (IR) and split touches with Kimani Vidal. I don’t have a strong lean towards one or the other, and I don’t believe the Chargers do either. Both backs should continue to be involved and should be Flex-worthy for the playoffs.
Washington Commanders: Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. was ruled out on Sunday morning, paving the way for an expanded role for fan favorite Jacory Croskey-Merritt. He logged 18 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown, capitalizing on the opportunity. Rodriguez should be back this week for a tougher matchup against the Eagles, making Washington’s running backs unappealing fantasy options in most formats.
New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy Jr. emerged from the bye week as the Giants’ lead back. He responded with 97 total yards and two touchdowns. Tracy is 85% rostered on Yahoo, but if he is available, scoop him and start him with confidence.
New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson exploded for 148 yards, including two long touchdown runs. I don’t know how much you can trust Mike Vrabel when it comes to the usage, and the Patriots don’t exactly have an easy schedule down the stretch. I’m not sure I trust Henderson or Rhamondre Stevenson as more than a Flex play.
Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams and Blake Corum topped 70 yards on Sunday. Williams added two rushing touchdowns, and Corum had one as the Rams continued to hum along offensively. I trust this backfield more than New England’s, making Williams an RB2 and Corum a Flex play.
Las Vegas Raiders: If you have Ashton Jeanty, you are probably out of your fantasy playoffs. Through no fault of his own, his season has been mostly a disaster. The Raiders are beyond bad offensively, and with their salary cap situation, things may not get better in 2026.
New Orleans Saints: Devin Neal suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday and did not return for the second half. Evan Hull and Audric Estime filled in, with Estime going for 50 total yards on nine touches. The Saints have a great matchup with the Jets this week, so Estime should be on the radar. If New Orleans uses him in a true bell-cow back role, he could be a nice under-the-radar play.
Houston Texans: Houston’s backfield has been hard with injuries, as Woody Marks left Sunday’s game. Enter Jawhar Jordan, who rushed for 101 yards against a listless Arizona defense. Houston has a cupcake matchup with the Raiders in Week 15, so Jordan should be on the radar if Marks is questionable to miss.
Tennessee Titans: Tony Pollard is having a nice late-season surge. He went for over 100 yards again on Sunday as he continues to get strong usage. The Titans have nothing to play for, but Pollard is only 153 rushing yards shy of 1,000 yards on the season, so they will probably make sure he hits that mark.