Top 5 Running Back Handcuffs
Not everyone starts the season with a handcuff, but sooner than later you end up resorting to at least one of them. A handcuff is a back up to a player that you think will get really good production. Most of the time I don't draft a handcuff, but by week 2 or 3 I find one on my roster. Here are five guys that you can be confident in.
Matt Breida RB 49ers
Besides Jerick McKinnon, there isn't much getting in Breida's way. Breida got better as the season went on and now he has a year under his belt. Breida has the best fullback in the NFL with Kyle Juszczyk and an improving offensive line led by Joe Staley. I am confident that Kyle Shanahan will have a creative scheme to get Breida the ball. Breida will be a very nice handcuff and a solid player for your fantasy teams.
Chris Thompson RB Redskins
Rookie running back, Derrius Guice, has all the hype coming into the 2018 season. People sleep on his backup Chris Thompson. Thompson is a top 5 receiving back and is one of the most consistent players on third down. Thompson also has Alex Smith at quarterback who is known for throwing the ball to his running backs. In a PPR league, I would draft Thompson as high as the tenth round. Thompson is a really nice handcuff.
Tevin Coleman RB Falcons
On half the teams in the NFL, Tevin Coleman is a starter. Coleman might be my favorite backup running back in the NFL. He is a great combination of speed and power who deserves to be a starter. When I talk about Tevin Coleman's running game, I use the word feisty. Coleman is aggressive and in for a big payday this offseason. If Devonta Freeman starts to struggle next season, Coleman will get more and more reps. I think Coleman is phenomenal, but I worry about his scheme. Steve Sarkisian didn't have the best play calls last season, but if he checks himself Tevin Coleman might be the best handcuff in the NFL.
D'Onta Foreman RB Texans
One player that I am not confident in is Lamar Miller. Miller has been inconsistent throughout his career and Foreman was showing a lot of signs last season. Before getting hurt, Foreman was on the up and up; this season teams will be defending the pass more due to Deandre Hopkins. If Foreman can stay healthy he has the potential to be a 3 down back and be a nice late round pick.
Mark Walton RB Bengals
Mark Walton was my favorite running back sleeper coming out of the draft this season. From a talent perspective, Walton is a starter, but it will be very tough for him to compete with Joe Mixon and Giovanni Bernard. It also doesn't help that he is under Marvin Lewis' system which isn't on the up and up. I wouldn't draft Walton on your fantasy teams, but I'd keep and eye on him if he starts trending upwards.
