Fantasy Football RB Handcuffs

Welcome to the fantasy football running back depth charts and handcuffs page.

This is a guide for which running backs are next in line in the backfield.

Only running backs being selected outside of the top-100 picks and projected to be second in line for touches are included in this article.

Let’s take a look at the running back depth charts for each NFL team.

Fantasy Football RB Handcuff Outlook

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You can also get a sense of where each running back stacks up among the broader player pool with our fantasy football rankings.

Now, on to the RB handcuff breakdowns, outlined in the table below.

NFL RB Handcuff Ranks

The top 20 running back handcuffs mostly include players who are second-in-line for touches, but there are a couple of exceptions, such as Rico Dowdle.

Read on below to learn more about each player. Check out our running back power rankings for more information about team backfields.

Now, on to the latest happenings in backfields, which are all current as of Wednesday, Aug. 7.

RB Handcuffs Rankings 20-11

20. Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs

Carson Steele has won the RB2 job for the Chiefs, with some reports even indicating that he may steal some red-zone touches from Isiah Pacheco. While I don’t buy that, I do like Steele as a late-round lottery ticket in deeper leagues. If Pacheco were to miss time, Steele would become a viable FLEX play.

19. Dylan Laube, Las Vegas Raiders

Dylan Laube is a rookie with sixth-round draft capital. The former New Hampshire running back is renowned for his pass-catching ability, putting up 699 receiving yards last season. Laube could carve out an early role on passing downs and emerge as a factor later in the season if Zamir White struggles or misses time.

18. Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants

The Giants selected Tyrone Tracy in the fifth round of this year’s draft. The converted receiver can make an impact in the passing game. Veteran Devin Singletary is the lead back for the G-Men, but Tracy has a chance to earn a role in this offense. Plus, it’s not like Singletary is the biggest hurdle to climb here.

17. Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears

Roschon Johnson is in a battle for the RB2 spot on the Bears, competing against Khalil Herbert. While most observers favor Johnson due to his receiving skills, I’m on the Herbert train. With that said, Johnson is the better pass protector, which could earn him a place behind D’Andre Swift in what looks like the most improved offense in the NFL.

16. Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears

The reason why I prefer Khalil Herbert as Bears’ RB2 is because whenever he’s been given an opportunity, he’s been highly efficient. This is a good runner who would fit nicely as the 1B to D’Andre Swift. By taking Herbert, you also have a chance to get value in case he gets released and lands in a better situation on a new team.

15. Audric Estime, Denver Broncos

Audric Estime was taken by the Broncos in the fifth round of this year’s draft. This is a powerful runner, but with Javonte Williams looking good in camp, Estime would likely need an injury to make an impact for the Broncos. However, I like the cheaper Estime over Jaleel McLaughlin, who profiles more as strictly as pass-catching back.

14. Braelon Allen, New York Jets

Braelon Allen has been turning heads in Jets camp after being selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft. The former Wisconsin back is the clear backup to Breece Hall, giving him a lot of upside in an improved offense. This is the type of back who could make a major impact in the red zone, making him a worthy end-of-bench stash.

13. Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots

Antonio Gibson has long been a favorite of the fantasy community after what he showed in his first two seasons. Perhaps a change of scenery will help Gibson recapture some of that form. What’s good about this former Commander is that he could have a bit of standalone value if he can force a committee with Rhamondre Stevenson.

12. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

While I expect to see the Bijan Robinson show in Atlanta this season, don’t count out Tyler Allgeier as a high-end handcuff. We would need Bijan to miss time for Allgeier to have value, but if that were to happen, you could see top-15 production while playing in a fast-paced and more pass-heavy offense.

11. Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers

Jordan Mason would be a rock-solid RB2 if Christian McCaffrey were to miss time. With Elijah Mitchell now out for the season, Mason is firmly entrenched as second-in-line to CMC. The only reason why Mason isn’t higher on this list is because he doesn’t offer much in standalone value.

RB Handcuffs Rankings 10-1

10. Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings

Ty Chandler performed well for the Vikings down the stretch last season. Reports indicate that the coaching staff wants to use Chandler as change-of-pace to Aaron Jones, so there’s some standalone value here. We all know that Jones has not been the picture of good health, which gives Chandler a path to a ceiling here.

9. Ray Davis, Buffalo

The Bills drafted Ray Davis in the fourth round this year, desiring a complement to James Cook. We could see Davis emerge as the preferred goal-line back alongside Josh Allen in a prolific offense that likes to run. There’s also the outside chance that Davis can supplant Cook as the starter, giving him added appeal.

8. Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers

Kimani Vidal has a path to emerge as the lead back for the Chargers. The rookie is competing with J.K. Dobbins, who has suffered a myriad of injuries, most recently the dreaded torn Achilles. There is also Gus Edwards, who is an efficient runner, but perhaps his production is inflated from playing with Lamar Jackson. Vidal has upside here.

7. Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins

Jaylen Wright was taken in the fourth round of this year’s draft, adding more speed to an electric Dolphins offense. We would likely need Raheem Mostert or De’Von Achane to miss time for Wright to be part of this committee. However, this is such a good offense, giving Wright a lot of upside if it all breaks right for him.

6. MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers

The Packers selected MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of this year’s draft. This is an explosive talent who would fit nicely as a change-of-pace to Josh Jacobs. With A.J. Dillon out for the season, Lloyd has an opportunity to carve out a role in this offense.

5. Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks

Zach Charbonnet is a well-rounded back that showed flashes last year, but it appears that the new coaching staff is enamored with Kenneth Walker, so we could see less of a committee this time around. With that said, Charbonnet has the skills to make a major impact if Walker were to miss time, making him a top handcuff.

4. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs took Bucky Irving in the fourth round of this year’s draft. What’s good about Irving is that he has a chance to form a committee with Rachaad White while having contingent upside for more production should White miss time. In other words, you’re getting a player with standalone value and a chance for more.

3. Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

Trey Benson was considered as the second-best running back (at worst) in this year’s draft, so there’s a lot of upside, especially on a team that will play in a lot of shootouts in the Cardinals. While Arizona still prefers James Conner as the lead back, he’s always dealt with some nagging injuries, so Benson could emerge later in the season.

2. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys

While Rico Dowdle may not be considered as talented as others on this list, there is a lot of opportunity in the Cowboys’ backfield. This is a prolific offense with only Ezekiel Elliott as competition. Even though I like Zeke to dominate touches in the red zone, we could see Dowdle as the preferred choice on early downs.

1. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams

Blake Corum was taken by the Rams to provide insurance for Kyren Williams. The former Michigan star has had a good camp, so there’s a chance that he can earn standalone value. The major appeal here is that Sean McVay loves to lean on one back. If Kyren were to miss time, Corum could provide top-12 production. Make sure to stash Corum on your bench.