NFL Fantasy Football Draft Kit: RB Handcuffs for the 2023 Season

Depth at the running back and wide receiver positions are critical to success in NFL Fantasy Football. While it's easy to grab WRs from other teams on waiver wires, RBs are harder to find. And it only takes one injury to your starting RB to cripple your roster. This is where a practice called "handcuffing" comes into play. This is the practice of drafting your starter's backup as insurance for a possible disaster. Here are some RBs to target that have greater value than a handcuff backup and RBs who provide only handcuff insurance.

RB2 / RB3 Standalone Value

Zack Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks

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Seahawks rookie RB Zach Charbonnet was supposed to be one of the hottest training camp competitions in training camp. He was dressed high and would push last year's rookie sensation Kenneth Walker III for snaps. Now Charbonnet is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury and Walker is dealing with a groin injury. Charbonnet was the easiest pickup, now head coach Pete Carroll have all indications that we could be on a longer timeline for recovery. Now RBs DeeJay Dallas and rookie Kenny McIntosh might be a waiver target for your team.

Samaje Perine, RB, Denver Broncos

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With starter Javonte Williams coming off of a serious knee injury, the need for insurance for him is great. The Broncos choose not to go after free agent running backs like Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott or Leonard Fournette. They did go after Samaje Perine in the offseason as insurance as he was the 1-2 punch in Cincinnati. Williams might need a year to be fully healthy after his ACL surgery and might even start the year on the PUP list. Look for Perine to get a healthy amount of touches and could possibly be a FLEX option.

AJ Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers

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This is an injury case for the talented AJ Dylan. While he does back up Aaron Jones, he's more than capable back. That can be a nice flex option for your team. Dillon finished 2022 with 737 rushing yards and 7 TDs. He also proved to be a capable passing option as he also compiled an additional 206 recording yards. He also has two straight years with at least 7 TDs as a backup. Dillon is in his contract year and looking to build on his success possibly with a larger role on a new team. He's a solid FLEX option, even a RB2 in 12+ owner leagues.

Elijah Mitchell, RB, San Francisco 49ers

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Mitchell was penciled in to be the starter for the 49ers last year. But after missing 12 games with a groin injury, the 49ers made a big trade to land. Christian McCaffrey. Mitchell didn't play in the playoffs but he returns this season fully healthy. His rookie season saw him come out of nowhere to rush for 963 yd and 5 TDs. The third-year back will open 2023 as the 49ers’ RB2 and backup Christian McCaffrey. You could do worse with a lot of other running backs. I expect him to split carries to keep McCaffrey healthy and be an excellent flex option.

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons

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Allgeier was another running back that came out of nowhere to have an excellent rookie season for the Atlanta Falcons. Allgeier rushed for 1,039 rushing yards in 3 TDs and was in line to be the RB1. But the Falcons drafted rookie Bijan Robinson from Texas, which pushes Allgeier to an RB2 this season. I don't expect a bad season from Robinson, but I do expect Allgeier to be the more reliable running back in the backfield. He can help on third down in passing situations and be a sneaky good flex option.

No Standalone Value

Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Second year back Jaylen Warren only rushed for 379 yards last year, but averaged 4.9 yards per carry. He can be an explosive back behind incumbent starter Najee Harris. Steelers OC Matt Canada said of the Steelers’ offensive approach for 2023, “We want to run the ball, we want to be physical, and we want to be a good team that can throw the ball down field.” Don't look for Warren to be a flex option outside of injuries to Harris, but he's a good stash backup.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans

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Rookies sometimes come out of nowhere to surprise and spears could be one of them. He was drafted to back up. Derrick Henry, and could very well replace them in a year if Henry doesn't resign. Spear showed shiftiness, speed and the ability to run between the tackles at Tulane. This could be the solid stash, but don't expect a flex option here.

Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

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Zamir White didn't impress this rookie season, only rushing for 70 yd. But on 14 carries the average over 4 yards per carry. With Josh Jacobs not signing the franchise tender and being a holdout, white is thrust into the starting role. Even if Jacobs does come back at some point this season, it would be reasonable to think his carries would be limited. Look for white to be a backup option for your fantasy team if you choose to go after Jacobs.

Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns

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Another rookie that didn't impress with any kind of numbers to scream about. Jerome Ford is the backup for star. Nick, Chubb, and with Kareem Hunt no longer on the team to be their two-headed monster, you're going to need some insurance. Don't expect big numbers from Ford, just insurance if Chubb can't handle the full weight.