RB Handcuffs (Part 1)
How many times in a draft do you handcuff your top RB?
I would wager that most of the time you don’t end up backing up your top RBs. Some of you may not even understand the terminology of handcuffing an RB.
So, let me explain….
Handcuffing is simply taking the primary backup RB from the same team of your starting RB. When handcuffing your top RB, you are simply solidifying a starting RB spot on your roster. When you control that spot, you are able to focus on other positions that are in need of help.
Most backups don’t grade out very high on the ADP, making it that much easier to take Ezekiel Elliot’s backup of Rod Smith. While taking Joe Mixon’s backup, Gio Bernard would require you to draft him much sooner in your draft. Looking at where each of your backups land in the ADP is another concept to consider when drafting your starting RB. We’ll look deeper into this on Wednesday.
Below I’ve laid out the starting RBs from each NFL team, as well as their top handcuff. In parenthesis, I’ve included the ADP for each backup. (Based on a 12-Team PPR League)
Starter Backup (ADP)
ARI David Johnson Chase Edmonds (261)
ATL Antonio Freeman Tevin Coleman (72)
BAL Alex Collins Javorius Allen (210)
BUF LeSean McCoy Chris Ivory (227)
CAR Christian McCaffrey CJ Anderson (110)
CHI Jordan Howard Tarik Cohen (79)
CIN Joe Mixon Giovani Bernard (121)
CLE Carlos Hyde Nick Chubb (108)
DAL Ezekiel Elliot Rod Smith (288)
DEN Royce Freeman Devontae Booker (129)
DET Kerryon Johnson LeGarrette Blount (153)
GB Jamall Williams Aaron Jones (112)
HOU Lamar Miller D’Onta Foreman (144)
IND Marlon Mack Nyheim Hines (143)
JAC Leonard Fournette TJ Yeldon (219)
KC Kareem Hunt Spencer Ware (218)
LAC Melvin Gordon Austin Ekeler (206)
LAR Todd Gurley John Kelly (279)
MIA Kenyon Drake Frank Gore (220)
MIN Dalvin Cook Latavius Murray (145)
NE Rex Burkhead Sony Michel (67)
NO Alvin Kamara Mark Ingram (51)*
NYG Saquon Barley Wayne Gallman (327)
NYJ Isaiah Crowell Bilal Powell (170)
OAK Marshawn Lynch Doug Martin (157)
PHI Jay Ajayi Corey Clement (141)
PIT Le’Veon Bell James Conner (253)
SEA Rashaad Penny Chris Carson (113)
SF Jerick McKinnon Matt Breida (156)
TB Ronald Jones II Peyton Barber (158)
TEN Dion Lewis Derrick Henry (220)
WAS Chris Thompson Rob Kelley
*(Mark Ingram has a 4 game suspension)
As we progress through the preseason, some of the starters or backups may change. So it’s important to keep up with each teams depth chart. Injuries occur often in the NFL, and the RB position tends to experience more injuries during the season. More than often people forget to look after their top draft pick. Again, we’ll discuss further in depth the value of the different RBs and their handcuffs on Wednesday. Don’t forget to insure that 1st or 2nd Round pick, securing the position on your roster.
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