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Perhaps the best place to start: What is a handcuff in fantasy football? When an early-round running back selection is made, fantasy owners assume an outsized degree of risk in relation to other positions, merely by the volatility of the RBs. Due to this reality, securing an insurance policy by drafting said player's chief replacement is a wise strategy, but not every key running back has an obvious handcuff back to target.

Running Back Handcuffs to Draft

Atlanta Falcons: Tyler Allgeier has more than proven his ability at the professional level. While he should see a markedly smaller role in 2025, Bijan Robinson owners would be foolish to not land the BYU-bred handcuff around his tasty RB53 placement.
Arizona Cardinals: Linking James Conner with Trey Benson fortifies a top-20 backfield should the 30-year-old former Pitt product be stricken by injury.
Buffalo Bills: Handcuffing Ray Davis to James Cook is borderline mandatory, and you'll lock up one of the most prolific backfields at the cost of a pair of top-52 RB picks, on average.
Los Angeles Chargers: Between the rookie hype of Omarion Hampton and plodder Najee Harris missing extensive practice time with an eye injury, the backs' draft stock have gone in vastly different directions. Harris (RB40) is a low-cost selection to ensure a top-15 backfield is locked up.
Miami Dolphins: De'Von Achane should be a fantasy phenom in his third year, and protecting your investment will require some guesswork between the likes of struggling second-year man Jaylen Wright and explosive rookie Ollie Gordon II. While both reserves are draftable, the latter is clearly trending in recent weeks.
Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones is no stranger to getting nicked up. Even though he isn't that much of a fantasy investment at RB23, you're still looking at a potential top-20 RB in Jordan Mason if the opportunity presents itself.
New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara enters the twilight of his career and has fought minor injuries on occasion, which opens the door for Kendre Miller to finally show he's capable of handling the rigors of the NFL.
New York Jets: Breece Hall's top replacement, Braelon Allen, could start on many NFL teams, and he's among the most important targets for those in the handcuff business.
San Francisco 49ers: Handcuffing Christian McCaffrey is an absolute must, and sophomore Isaac Guerendo should be chosen by anyone who commits a first-rounder on CMC.
Seattle Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet is poised for a larger role in the backfield, and he's an absolute must-handcuff to Kenneth Walker III based on the latter's injury history. These two could cannibalize each other many weeks, however.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucky Irving's primary handcuff is Rachaad White, although Sean Tucker will play a role. Investing two of your top four RB spots on one backfield may feel like a waste to some. Take comfort in knowing both backs will present flex utility many weeks, and White is a top-25 back if Irving is out.

Teams Without A Clear-Cut RB Handcuff

Some teams simply don't have an obvious handcuff target despite a starting back worthy of protecting.

Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry missing time likely would result in a rotation of backs, rendering none of them a useful handcuff target.
Chicago Bears: D'Andre Swift's injury-prone ways imply his backup inevitably will start a few games, but we'll see a mixture of Roschon Johnson and rookie Kyle Monangai vying for the chief role in that scenario. Both backs deserve roster spots, however, and each would see the ball in this committee.
Cincinnati Bengals: Losing Chase Brown would result in a mixture of Samaje Perine and Tahj Brooks splitting carries. The latter is a better flier but not a necessary handcuff.
Cleveland Browns: This backfield remains unsettled with Jerome Ford likely having a leg up on the rookie duo of Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. Judkins avoiding criminal prosecution doesn't automatically mean he's free of punishment by the NFL, and Sampson has made a name for himself in camp, so this one could be a weekly hot-hand scenario.
Jacksonville Jaguars: It will be surprising if this backfield isn't compartmentalized, regardless of how starter Travis Etienne plays. That makes finding a true handcuff frustrating, if not impossible.
Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams' injury history and fantasy ADP position him in a spot where handcuffing feels necessary. The issue is a recurring theme: Blake Corum isn't as talented as a receiving outlet, whereas rookie Jarquez Hunter does a little bit of everything, so whoever is the spark any given week will get the rock.
New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy Jr. leads the way and may lose touches here and there, but both Devin Singletary and Cam Skattebo will split chores if something takes the sophomore off the field.
Philadelphia Eagles: Saquon Barkley ought to be one of the most important players to handcuff, though no clear choice between AJ Dillon and Will Shipley jumps out at this time. Their substantially different skill sets point to a time share if Barkley misses action. Shipley is the better choice in PPR.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Category: General Sports

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Running Back Handcuffs to Draft

Teams Without A Clear-Cut RB Handcuff

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