Top 8 Fantasy Handcuffs for 2023

Drafting your top running back’s backup can be an important strategy in fantasy football.

Handcuffs. They’re not just those shiny silver bracelets that law enforcement uses to keep scofflaws from causing further trouble. They’re also an important part of what is a smart fantasy football build in drafts. In our world, the term “handcuffing” refers to drafting the immediate backup of one or both of your starting running backs.

Some handcuffs are more valuable than others. In fact, some can’t even be labeled as handcuffs alone, including those who are their team’s No. 2 back in a committee. In those cases, I am labeling them as handcuffs so they are not included here. For example, AJ Dillon averaged just 3.4 fewer touches per game in Green Bay last season than the Packers’ actual running back starter, Aaron Jones.

While Dillon’s stock would rise if Jones were injured, he’s not a handcuff in the true sense of the term because he’s already projected to be a prominent asset in the Packers backfield. Also, I didn’t include unsettled depth charts like the one in Detroit. The Lions current starting running back has yet to be determined, and a committee of David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs is imminent, regardless.

With that said, here’s a look at my top eight fantasy handcuffs heading into the season and a full list of every current handcuff for all 32 teams around the league.

Tyler Allgeier, Falcons

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Allgeier might have been a breakout candidate this season, but the Falcons drafted superstar running back Bijan Robinson eighth overall. That leaves Allgeier, a 1,000-yard back as a rookie, to play a secondary role and serve as Robinson’s handcuff.

Samaje Perine, Broncos

Perine’s value could be that of a fantasy sleeper, but for now he’s a handcuff in the Denver backfield. His true stock is dependent on the status of Javonte Williams, who tore his ACL and LCL in 2022. Regardless, grab Perine as insurance.

Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks

The Seahawks could use Charbonnet in a committee with Kenneth Walker III, but for now I’ll project the latter to be the top back. The UCLA product might have been a fantasy sleeper if he landed in a better spot, but now he’s a solid handcuff.

Devin Singletary, Texans

The Texans will continue to use Dameon Pierce as their lead running back, but Singletary could be in the mix to form a committee. In any event, Singletary will at least be a nice handcuff for Pierce in fantasy drafts. Grab him in the later rounds.

Elijah Mitchell, 49ers

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Mitchell had proven to be a terrific fantasy back when allowed a chance to shine, but his lack of durability is a serious problem. Still, he would be as much as a low-end No. 1 fantasy runner if Christian McCaffrey were forced to miss time.

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers

The Panthers signed Miles Sanders during the offseason, making him their top back for the 2023 campaign. Hubbard is locked in as the No. 2 runner after the team let D’Onta Foreman walk as a free agent, and he’ll be a nice late addition.

Jaylen Warren, Steelers

The Steelers will lean on Najee Harris as their top running back once again, and his prospects look better behind what should be an improved offensive line. Should Harris miss time due to injuries though, Warren will be a nice backup.

Gus Edwards, Ravens

J.K. Dobbins enters this season as the lead back in Baltimore, but there’s cause for concern due to past knee issues. Edwards, who has had an ACL injury of his own in the last two years, would move up the depth chart if Dobbins misses time.

TEAM	Starter	Handcuff
Arizona	James Conner	Keontay Ingram
Atlanta	Bijan Robinson	Tyler Allgeier
Baltimore	J.K. Dobbins	Gus Edwards
Buffalo	James Cook*	Damien Harris*
Carolina	Miles Sanders	Chuba Hubbard
Chicago	Khalil Herbert*	D'Onta Foreman*
Cincinnati	Joe Mixon	Trayveon Willams
Cleveland	Nick Chubb	Jerome Ford
Dallas	Tony Pollard	Deuce Vaughn
Denver	Javonte Williams	Samaje Perine
Detroit	Jahmyr Gibbs*	David Montgomery*
Green Bay	Aaron Jones*	AJ Dillon*
Houston	Dameon Pierce	Devin Singletary
Indianapolis	Jonathan Taylor	Zack Moss
Jacksonville	Travis Etienne	Tank Bigbsy
Kansas City	Isiah Pacheco*	Jerick McKinnon*
Las Vegas	Josh Jacobs	Zamir White
Los Angeles Chargers	Austin Ekeler	Joshua Kelley
Los Angeles Rams	Cam Akers	Kyren Williams
Miami	Raheem Mostert*	Jeff Wilson, Jr.*
Minnesota	Alexander Mattison	Ty Chandler
New England	Rhamondre Stevenson	Pierre Strong
New Orleans	Alvin Kamara*	Jamaal Williams*
New York Giants	Saquon Barkley	Matt Breida
New York Jets	Breece Hall	Michael Carter
Philadelphia	D'Andre Swift*	Rashaad Penny*
Pittsburgh	Najee Harris	Jaylen Warren
San Francisco	Christian McCaffrey	Elijah Mitchell
Seattle	Ken Walker	Zach Charbonnet
Tampa Bay	Rachaad White	Chase Edmonds
Tennessee	Derrick Henry	Tyjae Spears
Washington	Antonio Gibson*	Brian Robinson*