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.
