What Happened to Handcuff Running Backs?

In 2026, much of the fantasy football market has lost the art of handcuffing running backs. Maybe they haven’t thought through each backfield situation, or possibly they don’t have the draft club in the fantasy bag. Each year in the NFL, the running back position shifts the power of a fantasy roster. One injury can kick out one of the legs of a top roster while rewarding another with an uptick in value. Injuries run rampant at the running back position, making the position the most volatile in a fantasy starting lineup.

I’ve been playing in the high-stakes fantasy football market since 2004, and I’ve witnessed the most fought-over handcuff running back – Larry Johnson. Priest Holmes came into 2004 after an all-time great season (2,110 combined yards with 27 rushing touchdowns and 74 catches on 394 touches). He was on a beast pace the next year over eight games (196/892/14 with 19 catches for 187 yards and one more score) before going down with an injury.

Larry Johnson made three starts across his 10 games played in 2004, leading to 859 combined yards with 11 touchdowns and 22 catches on 142 touches. The following season, Holmes was still drafted as the top back in Kansas despite starting the year at age 32. The Chiefs gave him the first seven starts (119/451/6 with 21 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown) before an injury ended his season and ultimately his career.

In 2005, Johnson, at age 26, had about a half season of success in the NFL, but Kansas City had a great offense for the running back position. In fantasy drafts, he was being selected in the third to fourth rounds in many leagues, which seemed strange at the time, with Holmes still upright and drawing an RB1 first-round price tag. Johnson went on to help fantasy teams win league and overall championships that season by gaining 2,093 combined yards with 21 touchdowns and 33 catches on 369 touches. He did this making only nine starts. Unfortunately, his impact stats lasted only one more year (416/1,789/17 with 41 catches for 410 yards and two more scores).

This fantasy draft season, not many drafters are protecting their early running back investments or tying weaker running backs to their potential handoff. Here are running back handcuffs being selected in early September with the National Fantasy Football Championship ADPs:

Jahmyr Gibbs (ADP: 1) >>> Isiah Pacheco (ADP: 213)

Pacheco is hurt, and he could miss the remainder of the year. Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki fall into the cheap handcuff options for Gibbs until the Lions add another running back.

Bijan Robinson (ADP: 2) >>> Brian Robinson (ADP: 166)

The Falcons have been preaching recently that Brian Robinson could be more active at the goal line than originally expected.

Christian McCaffrey (ADP: 7) >>> Kaelon Black (ADP: 145)

Is Black really the handcuff to McCaffrey with Jordan James no longer on the injury list? If one of their backup running backs earns a starting job due to an injury, do they pay 50 cents on the dollar?

Jonathan Taylor (ADP: 8) >>> Seth McGowan (208)

At age 25, McGowan has had a challenging road to the NFL. His big-back profile makes sense behind Taylor, but Indy would certainly rotate in two players if the franchise runner had an injury.

James Cook (ADP: 8) >>> Ray Davis (ADP: 171)

Davis is an easy cover for Cook based on his favorable price. The status of Ty Johnson for 2026 is also a factor in his value and potential rotational opportunity.

Chase Brown (ADP: 12) >>> Samaje Perine (ADP: 223)

Perine enters 2026 at age 31, with his best starting opportunity coming in his rookie season in 2017. If Brown has an injury, Tahj Brooks could become the lead runner in this offense.

De’Von Achane (ADP: 15) >>> Jaylen Wright (ADP: 215)

Miami lacks passing-catching insurance for Achane, suggesting a two-back rotation between Wright and Ollie Gordon if he had an injury. The Dolphins’ backfield takes a severe fantasy hit if Achane misses any time.

Kenneth Walker (ADP: 15) >>> Emmett Johnson (ADP: 137)

Walker comes into the year with an ankle issue. The Chiefs would love to lean on him for 300 touches, but he has yet to show that profile in his career. Johnson brings pass-catching value, and Patrick Mahomes has been missing that profile since Jerick McKinnon left town (13 receiving touchdowns in 2022 and 2023). Johnson should be a viable flex option if this backfield plays out as expected.

Omarion Hampton (ADP: 16) >>> Keaton Mitchell (ADP: 133)

Mitchell is treated as the handcuff to Hampton, but he has an NFL history of being injured (25 missed games over three years). If the Chargers’ top back goes down, Kimani Vidal should be the player who picks up the most touches. I’m fading Mitchell in drafts due to his ADP and unproven pro resume.

Saquon Barkley (ADP: 16) >>> Tank Bigsby (ADP: 143)

Bigsby brings early down value, but the Eagles will rotate in a second pass-catching back if Barkley has an injury.

Ashton Jeanty (ADP: 18) >>> Mike Washington (ADP: 112)

The August ankle injury to Jeanty and the success of Washington in the preseason all but confirm that this backfield is going to have a higher split than expected in the early draft season. Now the question is: how hurt is Jeanty?

Derrick Henry (ADP: 23) >>> Justice Hill (ADP: 209)

Hill gains more fantasy value when the Ravens have to chase on the scoreboard. Baltimore will give Adam Randall early handcuff touches if Henry has an injury, but he is opening the year on the IR. Rasheen Ali is their RB3 for now.

Javonte Williams (ADP: 33) >>> Malik Davis (ADP: 175)

Davis played well enough last year to be considered a reasonable handcuff to Williams. He could gain some value on passing downs while needing to hold off Emari Demercado for carries and snaps.

Breece Hall (ADP: 36) >>> Braelon Allen (ADP: 171)

For me, I like Isaiah Davis’s overall running back profile better than Allen due to his value in the passing game. If Hall has an injury, New York will rotate in two backs. Davis goes undrafted due to being on the injury report for most of the summer with a knee issue.

Jeremiyah Love (ADP: 37) >>> Tyler Allgeier (ADP: 120)

Allgeier has a proven NFL resume, and the Cardinals paid him before drafting Love. With James Conner and Trey Benson parked on the IR, he could be a starter in Week 1 if the Cardinals’ stud rookie is ready to go.

Travis Etienne (ADP: 42) >>> Alvin Kamara (ADP: 200)

Kamara has been a very good running back in his NFL career, with value in scoring and pass-catching. Unfortunately, a summer injury paints a better opportunity and ceiling for Etienne. I can trust another back on the Saints’ roster to stay healthy or command significant touches if Etienne gets hurt and Kamara isn’t healthy.

Kyren Williams (ADP: 40) >>> Blake Corum (ADP: 80)

Corum is an interesting player this year, but he doesn’t catch a lot of balls, and his ceiling and playable value aren’t high enough if Williams is healthy. He comes into 2026 at age 25, only three months younger than the Rams’ lead runner.

D’Andre Swift (ADP: 46) >>> Kyle Monangai (ADP: 113)

Monangai appears to be trending in a better direction to play in Week 1 than when first getting injured (knee) in mid-August. If he misses any time, Roschon Johnson will get a chance to reinvent his pro career.

David Montgomery (ADP: 51) >>> Woody Marks (ADP: 123)

Marks is a pretty straightforward handcuff for Montgomery. The fantasy debate this summer has been: how much will he touch the ball each week? His pass-catching should make him playable during bye weeks.

Cam Skattebo (ADP: 53) >>> Tyrone Tracy (ADP: 172)

For the fantasy drafters that are in denial, Skattebo’s opportunity took more of a hit when the Giants signed Najee Harris. His ADP (187) continues to move closer to Tracy. I’ve been drafting Harris over Tracy over the past couple of weeks based on his NFL body of work and recent reports on the field.

Jadarian Price (ADP: 57) >>> Zach Charbonnet (ADP: 152)

Charbonnet is a complete fade for me, and I don’t expect him to be ready for game action until November. When on the field, he still has to prove his game is up to his previous form. George Holani (ADP: 190) lines up as Price’s early handcuff with a minimal NFL resume. Emanuel Wilson could be a factor once he clears his hamstring issue.

Bhayshul Tuten (ADP: 57) >>> Chris Rodriguez (ADP: 121)

Tuten has drawn a lot of attention in drafts this summer despite his expected split role. Rodriguez brings early down value and a possible edge in chances at the goal line. His pass protection reports have been positive based on a recent report, which may give him more snaps.

Bucky Irving (ADP: 57) >>> Kenny Gainwell (ADP: 84)

Tampa has a history of rotating in two backs, and that theme will remain the same in 2026. Gainwell’s pass-catching helps his RB3 rotational value in the fantasy market, and he could also offer hot-hand value when running the ball well in some games.

Quinshon Judkins (ADP: 58) >>> Dylan Sampson (ADP: 152)

Sampson projects as a rotational early down runner. His pass-catching split will determine the ceiling of Judkins and his playable value in the fantasy market.

Rhamondre Stevenson (ADP: 63) >>> TreVeyon Henderson (ADP: 63)

A summer ankle injury to Henderson has led to Stevenson passing him on the Patriots’ running back depth chart based on his new ADP in September. Both players will get plenty of touches in 2026.

Jonathon Brooks (ADP: 70) >>> Chuba Hubbard (ADP: 102)

Hubbard comes off a down year, and the Panthers hope Brooks can drive their rushing offense up a notch. This backfield will be a split out of the gate, and Hubbard has proven to be a fantasy value when drafted as Carolina’s RB2 in recent years.

Jaylen Warren (ADP: 73) >>> Rico Dowdle (ADP: 90)

Dowdle comes off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and he delivered two consecutive explosive games in 2026. Pittsburgh will rotate both backs on early downs, with Warren having the higher ceiling in the passing game. In the offseason, he’s been motivated to get more chances, but Warren has yet to prove his worth in scoring touchdowns on the ground.

MarShawn Lloyd (ADP: 73) >>> Kaleb Johnson (ADP: 198)

Over the past three days, Josh Jacobs still has the second-highest ADP (126) in Green Bay. Johnson should be the early-season handcuff to Lloyd, and he should be more of a factor than his rookie stats show.

Tony Pollard (ADP: 82) >>> Tyjae Spears (ADP: 139)

If Tony Pollard has an injury, Spears isn’t going to become the Titans’ RB1. Nicholas Singleton (ADP: 207) is being dismissed by most drafters. He’s a big back with a long resume of success at Penn State in a split role. His pass-catching and speed are high enough to knock Spears to RB3 status out of the gate. In addition, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Tennessee feature Singleton as the goal-line runner early in the year. If Pollard has an injury, I expect him to become a starting piece for fantasy teams.

RJ Harvey (ADP: 86) >>> J.K. Dobbins (ADP: 92)

The presence and summer reports about Jonah Coleman (ADP: 118) have brought in a third wheel into the Broncos’ backfield ADPs. I have Harvey projected higher than most fantasy sites. Dobbins is a good running back on early downs and at the goal line, but his NFL injury profile should put more shine on Coleman as a targeted player in fantasy drafts, despite drawing an RB3 ranking in the Broncos’ offense out of the gate.

Jordan Mason (ADP: 89) >>> Aaron Jones (ADP: 127)

Based on ADPs, I believe the fantasy market has this backfield mispriced this summer. Jones’s ability to catch the ball and NFL resume should give him more overall fantasy value than Mason when on the field. In addition, Mason also has a history of injuries. If I happened to land Jones at a discount, Demond Claiborne is his natural handcuff (ADP: 200), and I expect that side of the running back equation in Minnesota to be more valuable than Mason in 2026.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (ADP: 104) >>> Rachaad White (ADP: 109)

The Commanders’ backfield has a lot in common with the Titans. White is their top pass-catcher, giving him the best chance to be playable in the fantasy market each week. On the downside, Washington wants to run the ball, and White’s catch chances will be much lower than with Tampa.

For me, Croskey-Merritt and Kaytron Allen (ADP: 190) have similar running back profiles. I like the ceiling of Allen better, and he could steal the Commanders’ early down rush opportunity by the end of September. Croskey-Merritt brings a speed profile, while Allen earns his wins on power. These two players should be handcuffed in all fantasy drafts.