RB handcuffs can be a controversial topic among fantasy football managers.
The tactic of rostering the running backs who are handcuffs to your starters can bail you out in the event of injury, but can also be a significant waste of a roster spot.
Today, we are going to help you hone in on the backup running backs most worth targeting in fantasy drafts this season.
Top Handcuff RBs To Target in 2024 Fantasy Leagues
Before we get to the specific players, I need to make sure we’re on the same page regarding what constitutes a handcuff.
For example, Raheem Mostert is not a handcuff to De’Von Achane. David Montgomery is not a handcuff to Jahmyr Gibbs.
Putting aside the fact that the lower-drafted backs are actually the de facto “starters,” a handcuff cannot have standalone value. A handcuff is a running back that has zero or minimal fantasy value right now but has the potential to be an every-week option should the starter in front of him go down.
Every running back has a backup. But not every backup is a viable handcuff. There are many teams where if the starter goes down, there is no clear beneficiary. This is the primary argument against handcuffing your own running back.
When drafting a handcuff, you are using two roster spots on what is essentially one player. If you’re going to do that, you better be sure that one, you have the handcuff correct, and two, if the starter goes down, the handcuff is capable of producing at a level similar to the starter.
With the above in mind, here are the best RB handcuffs for the 2024 fantasy season.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
There’s an argument to be made that Tyler Allgeier is the most valuable handcuff this season.
Allgeier played well enough to be a starter as a rookie, running for over 1,000 yards. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 5.2 yards per touch, with a 28.8% evaded tackles per touch rate.
The Falcons did not need Bijan Robinson. But Robinson is a truly elite talent. He is going to be a three-down back. Allgeier should still be involved because he’s a good player, but he’s not going to be startable alongside Robinson.
The good thing about Allgeier’s handcuff status is we don’t really need to project how he might do. We have proof of concept. We know he can be a lead back and a fantasy RB2.
If Robinson were to go down, Allgeier undoubtedly wouldn’t be as valuable as him. But he would almost certainly be ranked inside the top 18 running backs on a weekly basis.
Even if you don’t have Robinson, Allgeier is well worth drafting as an upside handcuff.
Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Admittedly, it’s counterintuitive to include a rookie on this list. We have exactly zero evidence that Blake Corum is the clear next man up, or is capable of producing anywhere near the level of Kyren Williams.
What we do have is nearly a decade of data on Sean McVay, though.
Last season, when Williams missed time, the Rams had no choice but to rotate Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman. They did not like the results. I believe that was the catalyst for the Corum pick.
Although not the greatest indicator, the fact that the Rams have completely held Corum out of preseason action suggests he is the RB2. Ronnie Rivers, the presumptive RB3, saw some action in the team’s first contest.
McVay has always preferred to use one running back. Williams has a lengthy injury history. It’s highly likely he does not play 17 games this season.
We may not know if Corum is good, but we can be reasonably confident he will get a chance to prove it should Williams miss time.
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
There’s a chance Zach Charbonnet has standalone value, which would make him ineligible to be considered a handcuff. However, right now, he’s being valued as if he is a backup, which makes Charbonnet the best type of handcuff.
Charbonnet unquestionably stands to benefit and become the RB1 if Kenneth Walker III goes down.
We saw it briefly last season. Charbonnet played over 60% of the snaps in both games Walker missed.
If Charbonnet can end up earning enough touches to be a weekly RB3/Flex play, that is a bonus.
Other, Less Certain RB Handcuffs
In this section, I will quickly rattle off other backs who will be drafted as handcuffs, but whose status as the clear beneficiary and expected production level are both unclear.
Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
It really doesn’t matter who the RB1 is for the 49ers — he will have fantasy value.
For the past two years, the 49ers RB2 has been Elijah Mitchell. Due to injuries and Jordan Mason’s improved performance, it appears the latter has earned the job. He would be a weekly RB2 if Christian McCaffrey were to miss time.
With Mason, we know he would be productive in the lead-back role. We have no idea if he will actually be the starter if CMC gets hurt.
Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
The Bills have been making rookie Ray Davis part of the regular rotation. It is worth noting that this occurred while Ty Johnson was injured.
It remains to be seen whether Johnson would get the first crack at the lead-back job. In all likelihood, it would be an uninspiring committee.
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last season, Rachaad White handled all the volume he could despite being completely ineffective on the ground. This was due, in large part, to the lack of an alternative.
Rookie Bucky Irving has looked pretty good in the preseason and appears well ahead of Chase Edmonds for the RB2 role.
Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson is locked in as the starter. Antonio Gibson will likely mix in about 30-40% of the time. However, the significant gap in the ADPs of Stevenson and Gibson places Gibson firmly in handcuff territory.
I am sure Kevin Harris would get some burn on early downs, but Gibson does stand to benefit should Stevenson go down.
Unfortunately, Gibson plays for the Patriots, making it unlikely he is overly impactful even if he ends up starting.