It’s fantasy football season and you are figuring out who you want to draft, planning your lineup, and more for the NFL season. You’ve heard the term before but what are fantasy football handcuffs? Here’s what you need to know about fantasy football running back handcuffs, backup running backs, and more.
Spend More Time Winning, Less Time Guessing
4for4 is home to the most accurate rankings since 2010! Sync your fantasy football league and stay ahead with custom cheat sheets, advanced tools, and data-driven content.
Pros:
- Most Accurate Rankings & Projections
- Custom Rankings, Cheat Sheets & Top 200
- Unlimited Access to Season-Long Tools & Reports
Learn More
Fantasy Football Handcuffs
A fantasy handcuff is referring to a backup player who would take over for a team’s starter in the event of any missed time due to an injury or other reasons. Handcuffs are skill players and it’s common for fantasy football managers to seek out running backs.
Read More: How to Play Fantasy Football
Running Back Handcuffs
Running backs are the most common handcuffs in fantasy football because of the demand from the position. Fantasy managers will add an RB handcuff because starters can get injured due to the brutality of being a running back.
Figuring out who a handcuff is for the season is a process. It’s best to review the depth charts of all the 2024 NFL rosters and see who is slated in the backfield. Then, you need to examine which player will benefit most if the starter were to go down. You need to figure out which RB2 will become the feature back if the top guy goes out.
Examples of Fantasy Football Handcuffs
Judging who is a handcuff is not easy. It can be difficult to pick which running back doesn’t have standalone value and really only serves as a true backup to the starter that gets most of the touches. Here are a few examples of running backs that might be considered handcuffs in fantasy drafts for the 2024 season. As always, take the time to do extensive research before you commit to drafting a handcuff.
RB – Jerome Ford – Browns
Nick Chubb is elite when he plays but he played just 2 games last year due to a torn ACL. Ford filled in to run for over 800 yards and is a legitimate option if Chubb is dealing with injuries or not bouncing back immediately from injury.
RB Austin Ekeler – Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr. had 733 yards in 15 games last season and his backup this season will be Austin Ekeler. Ekeler can be used in a variety of ways out of the backfield and is a great pass catcher. He would be a good option to put up fantasy points if Robinson misses any games or isn’t getting great production.
RB Trey Benson – Cardinals
He might be a rookie, but Benson is playing with James Conner in Arizona. Conner has never played a full season and played 13 of 17 games in the past two seasons. He has a history of injuries which means Benson, a third-rounder in 2024, could see himself as a feature back if Conner goes down.
Handcuffs in Dynasty Leagues
In a re-draft league, you can likely find a handcuff on the waiver wire. For a dynasty league, managers can’t rely on the waiver wire because of the depth of the rosters. So for a dynasty league, you will likely have a handcuff on your roster at the running back position.
Read More: Dynasty League Explained
Wrap-Up: Finding the Right Option
As you can see, picking a true handcuff in fantasy sports can be difficult. These are some potential examples of handcuffs for the 2024 season but at the end of the day, you need to take a hard look at all the rosters. That will help you figure out if a potential handcuff is a backup or will split time with the lead running back.
We have seen that no running back is safe from injury or suspension. Players like Jonathan Taylor, Alvin Kamara, Nick Chubb, and more have missed time at RB1 which has led to more carries for a backup. What handcuffs do you see exploding onto the scene in 2024 fantasy football?
Fantasy Football Handcuffs FAQs
What is a fantasy football handcuff?
A fantasy football handcuff is a player that will take over as the main starter if a particular skill player goes down to injury, suspension, etc.
What makes a good fantasy football handcuff?
A good fantasy handcuff is usually an NFL running back that will end up getting the bulk of carries if you see the starter gets hurt. They are truly a backup skill player and only will find their way into a starting role if the starter is out.
What position is the most common for handcuffs in fantasy leagues?
Running back is the most common and will dominate the handcuff rankings of fantasy football drafts. This is because running backs are most likely to get injured or miss time due to the demand of the position.
written by
Sam Russell
Sam hails from Grandville, Michigan. He has a rich sports background, including playing baseball at Central Michigan before covering high school sports and working with the Orlando Magic. He earned his broadcasting/journalism degree from Central Michigan University and was a member of the 2010 MAC Championship baseball team.Sam developed his expertise while working with Betsperts, Bleacher Nation, and 4for4 in various areas such as writing, social media, betting research, and business development. He's a big fan of the NBA, NFL, and MLB, highly interested in data and statistics.
more fantasy-football news
Fantasy Football
2024 Broncos Fantasy Team Names: A Collection of Ideas a Mile High
The crisp mountain air of Denver is buzzing with excitement as the Broncos prepare to gallop into the 2024 NFL season. So whether you're a die-hard Orange Crush fan with a deep knowledge of the team's storied past or a...
Brian Twining
Jul 03, 2024
Fantasy Football
Dallas Cowboys Fantasy Football Team Names: A Collection of 50 Ideas
The star shines bright in Big D, and Dallas Cowboys fans are ready to wrangle up another fantasy football championship. Whether you're a lifelong supporter with a deep knowledge of Cowboys lore or a casual competitor looking to channel the...
Brian Twining
Jul 03, 2024
Fantasy Football
Josh Allen, the standout quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, has made a name for himself with his strong arm, athleticism, and leadership on the field. Josh Allen Fantasy team names aren't as natural but there are still a lot of...
Connor Allen
Jul 03, 2024
Fantasy Football
Lamar Jackson, the electrifying quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, has taken the NFL by storm with his remarkable athleticism, speed, and playmaking ability. Lamar Jackson fantasy team names can go in a variety of directions! Fantasy football enthusiasts who admire...
Connor Allen
Jul 03, 2024
Fantasy Football
Derrick Henry, the powerhouse running back for the Baltimore Ravens, is known for his incredible strength, speed, and game-changing performances. Derrick Henry Fantasy Team names can be tricky unless you stick with his nickname "The King." Fantasy football team owners...
Connor Allen
Jul 03, 2024
Fantasy Football
Fantasy football is not just about winning; it's also about making a statement with a clever and memorable team name. These Kyler Murray fantasy team names play on his abilities as a quarterback. If you're a fan of the Arizona...
Connor Allen
Jul 03, 2024
Fantasy Football
Bengals Fantasy Team Names: A Collection of 50 Ideas
The stripes are back in the jungle, and Cincinnati Bengals fans are buzzing with excitement for the 2024 fantasy football season. Whether you're a die-hard "Who Dey Nation" member or a casual competitor looking to harness the power of Burrow...
Brian Twining
Jul 02, 2024
Fantasy Football
Browns Fantasy Team Names: A Collection of 50 Ideas
The 2024 NFL season is just around the corner, the Dawg Pound is getting ready, and with that comes the electrifying energy of another fantasy football season. Whether you're a die-hard Cleveland fan with a deep knowledge of Browns' lore...
Brian Twining
Jul 02, 2024
Fantasy Football
What are Fantasy Football Handcuffs?
It's fantasy football season and you are figuring out who you want to draft, planning your lineup, and more for the NFL season. You've heard the term before but what are fantasy football handcuffs? Here's what you need to know...
Sam Russell
Jul 02, 2024
Fantasy Football
Harry Potter Fantasy Football Names: A Collection of Wizardly Team and League Ideas
In this article, Veteran Fantasy Football Expert Justin Edwards looks at some of the most popular Harry Potter team names. He explains why a funny team name may matter and sheds light on the do’s and don’ts to help you...
Justin Edwards
Jul 02, 2024
More Posts