Before diving in, it’s important to define what a handcuff is in fantasy football. Handcuffs are backups that are most likely to emerge as a team’s starter in the unfortunate event of an injury. It is a common strategy to prioritize the top handcuffs in fantasy football on draft day. This article will highlight my 16 RB sleepers and backups to target in 2021 drafts.
Top 2021 fantasy RB handcuffs | AFC
These running backs would inherit a massive opportunity share (rushing attempts plus targets) if the starters were to miss significant time.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
The Browns averaged 30.4 rushing attempts and 145.2 rushing yards per game last season, both fourth-most in the NFL. Hunt has been a key contributor to the team’s running game since arriving in Cleveland during the 2019 season. He’s averaged 14 opportunities, 67 total yards, and 13.3 PPR fantasy points per game in 24 active games over the last two years behind Nick Chubb. Hunt could see 20+ opportunities a game if Chubb were to miss time.
Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders
Drake signed with the Raiders in free agency. He signed a two-year, $11 million contract with every single dollar guaranteed. Drake has been productive over the last three seasons, totaling 3,266 yards and 27 touchdowns in 45 games. He has standalone value behind starter Josh Jacobs.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Williams was drafted by the Broncos No. 35 overall in this year’s draft. He finished last season at the University of North Carolina with 157 rushing attempts, 1,140 rushing yards, and 19 rushing touchdowns. Williams’ 1,140 rushing yards were 13th-most in school history, sixth-most in the country, and third-best in the ACC.
Williams is Melvin Gordon’s successor. If the veteran were to miss time, the Broncos would not hesitate to lean heavily on Williams.
Top 2021 fantasy RB handcuffs | NFC
Who are the top fantasy RB handcuffs in the NFC?
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Mike Davis filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey as he dealt with injuries last season. During free agency, the Falcons signed Davis to be their lead back. The Panthers drafted Chuba Hubbard 126th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State.
Hubbard only played in seven games for the Cowboys last season due to an ankle injury. He rushed 133 times for 625 yards and 5 touchdowns. Hubbard is only one season removed from his marvelous 2019 campaign, in which he rushed for 2,094 yards and 21 touchdowns. He’d inherit most of McCaffrey’s workload if CMC were to miss significant time.
McCaffrey has averaged 24.3 opportunities per game since 2018.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
Williams is in a great spot in Detroit. The Lions have 243 unaccounted rushing attempts entering the 2021 season. D’Andre Swift is unlikely to be deployed as a bell cow and is nursing a groin injury. Additionally, Williams’ contract solidifies that he’ll be a key contributor in 2021.
New Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn schemed 26% of passes and 41% of touches to running backs during his four years with the Chargers. Williams should have standalone value this season and would be firmly on the RB1 radar if injuries sidelined Swift.
AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers
Dillon is set to inherit the vacated opportunities from Jamaal Williams, who signed with the Detroit Lions in free agency. Williams averaged 11 opportunities per game opposite of Aaron Jones from 2017 to 2020. Dillon only averaged 5.3 opportunities per game in nine active games as a rookie. His collegiate body of work suggests he’s capable of handling a monster workload.
The Packers’ second-year RB rushed for 1,000 or more yards in all three of his seasons at Boston College. Dillon holds the Boston College records in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. His 845 rushing attempts were an astounding amount, and Dillon only missed two games in his college career. Don’t leave your draft without him.
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
Mattison is a must-draft player for fantasy managers who invest a first-round pick in Dalvin Cook. He stockpiled 175 total yards and 2 touchdowns in his two starts last season.
The Vikings will continue to lean heavily on Cook and the running game. He’s averaged 24.2 opportunities per game since 2019. This is the workload Mattison would receive if Cook missed time.
Devontae Booker, New York Giants
The Giants are anxiously awaiting the return of Saquon Barkley this season. He only played in two games in 2020 before a season-ending ACL injury. New York is bringing him along slowly and brought in Booker this offseason to backup Barkley.
Booker has shined during training camp and preseason games. He’d inherit Barkley’s opportunity share if he misses games. Barkley has averaged 22.6 opportunities per game since his rookie season in 2018.
RB backups and sleepers to target
The fantasy value of the following running backs would increase dramatically if the starters missed time in these backfields.
- Latavius Murray, New Orleans Saints (Alvin Kamara)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (Damien Harris)
- Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Ronald Jones/Leonard Fournette)
- Qadree Ollison, Atlanta Falcons (Mike Davis)
- Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals (Joe Mixon)
- Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars (James Robinson)
- Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams (Darrell Henderson)
- Trey Sermon, San Francisco 49ers (Raheem Mostert)
