Fantasy RB Handcuff Rankings Week 13: Emanuel Wilson shines in Josh Jacobs' absence, Saints running back Devin Neal with new opportunity originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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RB fantasy depth charts 2025
RB handcuff rankings
Many fantasy football managers continue to fade the top options at running back in the early rounds, instead opting to deploy strategies including Zero-RB, where you punt the position for at least four rounds or through the top 20 or so options at average draft position (ADP).
Regardless of whether you're trying Zero-RB, Hero RB (one major RB drafted in the first half of the draft), or Robust RB (old-school approach of going heavy on the position), knowing the backups to chase and stash in your draft and on the waiver wire is a necessary step.
Enter the fantasy RB handcuff grid, where we track depth chart movement among every NFL backfield and itemize how it influences each team's fantasy football backfield picture during the season.
Keep scrolling to see where every NFL running back group stands. We will update this every week throughout the season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFantasy Football RB Handcuffs Depth Chart
Here's the key for symbols used in the fantasy NFL RB handcuffs grid:
Fantasy RB1: The top back in name for that team's backfield
Top Handcuff: The likely next in line should an injury or coach's decision remove the RB1. Though it's not always a direct replacement of the role, this column lists the best bet to have more volume in place of the established RB1.
Sleepers & Role Players: The first name(s) listed are the most intriguing dart throws in the backfield if you need to dig deeper.
(co): Committee
WW: Waiver-wire pickup this week
🏥: Injured
Updated Nov. 25:
NFL Team
Fantasy RB1
Top Handcuff
Sleepers & Role Players
Arizona Cardinals
Bam Knight (co)
Michael Carter (co)
Emari Demercado 🏥, Trey Benson 🏥 IR
Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson
Tyler Allgeier
Nathan Carter
Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry
Justice Hill
Keaton Mitchell
Buffalo Bills
James Cook
Ray Davis
Ty Johnson
Carolina Panthers
Rico Dowdle
Chuba Hubbard
Trevor Etienne, Jonathon Brooks 🏥 PUP-R
Chicago Bears
D'Andre Swift
Kyle Monangai
Roschon Johnson
Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown
Samaje Perine
Tahj Brooks
Cleveland Browns
Quinshon Judkins
Dylan Sampson
Jerome Ford, Raheim Sanders
Dallas Cowboys
Javonte Williams
Jaydon Blue
Hunter Luepke, Phil Mafah 🏥 IR
Denver Broncos
R.J. Harvey
Jaleel McLaughlin
Tyler Badie, J.K. Dobbins IR 🏥
Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs
David Montgomery
Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs 🏥
Emanuel Wilson
Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd 🏥 IR-R
Houston Texans
Woody Marks (co)
Nick Chubb (co)
Dare Ogunbowale, Dameon Pierce, Joe Mixon 🏥 NFI
Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor
DJ Giddens
Tyler Goodson
Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Etienne
Bhayshul Tuten
LeQuint Allen
Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco (co)
Kareem Hunt (co)
Brashard Smith, Elijah Mitchell
Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty 🏥
Raheem Mostert
Dylan Laube, Zamir White
Los Angeles Chargers
Kimani Vidal
Trayveon Williams
Omarion Hampton 🏥 IR, Hassan Haskins 🏥
Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams
Blake Corum
Jarquez Hunter
Miami Dolphins
De'Von Achane
Ollie Gordon II
Jaylen Wright
Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones
Jordan Mason
Zavier Scott, Cam Akers, Ty Chandler 🏥,
New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson (co)
TreVeyon Henderson (co)
Antonio Gibson 🏥
New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara 🏥
Devin Neal
Velus Jones Jr., Kendre Miller 🏥 IR
New York Giants
Tyrone Tracy
Devin Singletary
Cam Skattebo 🏥 IR
New York Jets
Breece Hall
Isaiah Davis
Braelon Allen 🏥 IR-R, Kene Nwangwu
Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley
Tank Bigsby
A.J. Dillon, Will Shipley
Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren
Kenneth Gainwell
Kaleb Johnson, Trey Sermon
San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey
Brian Robinson Jr.
Isaac Guerendo, Sincere McCormick, Jordan James 🏥
Seattle Seahawks
Zach Charbonnet (co)
Kenneth Walker III (co)
George Holani
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving 🏥
Rachaad White
Sean Tucker, Josh Williams
Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard (co)
Tyjae Spears (co)
Julius Chestnut, Kalel Mullings 🏥 IR-R,
Washington Commanders
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Chris Rodriguez
Jeremy McNichols
2025 RB handcuff rankings: Top 50 backs to add or stash
This Top 50 list of the best backup running backs to draft may include some overlap from ongoing RB competitions, but this ideally would be a list of direct backups to draft or pick up off the waiver wire.
Assume PPR value for these handcuffs, but the rankings can be considered universal.
Updated Nov. 25:
Rk
RB Handcuff
TM
1
Emanuel Wilson
GB
2
Devin Neal
NO
3
TreVeyon Henderson
NE
4
David Montgomery
DET
5
Tyler Allgeier
ATL
6
Rachaad White
TB
7
Kyle Monangai
CHI
8
Bhayshul Tuten
JAX
9
Kenneth Walker III
SEA
10
Chuba Hubbard
CAR
11
Tyjae Spears
TEN
12
Isaiah Davis
NYJ
13
Nick Chubb
HOU
14
Kareem Hunt
KC
15
Jaleel McLaughlin
DEN
16
Michael Carter
ARI
17
Kenneth Gainwell
PIT
18
Devin Singletary
NYG
19
Ollie Gordon
MIA
20
Brian Robinson Jr.
SF
21
Dylan Sampson
CLE
22
Justice Hill
BAL
23
Brashard Smith
KC
24
Chris Rodriquez Jr.
WAS
25
Jerome Ford
CLE
26
DJ Giddens
IND
27
Sean Tucker
TB
28
Tank Bigsby
PHI
29
Ray Davis
BUF
30
Jeremy McNichols
WAS
31
Blake Corum
LAR
32
Raheem Mostert
LV
33
Jaydon Blue
DAL
34
Jaylen Wright
MIA
35
Isaac Guerendo
SF
36
Ty Johnson
CIN
37
Roschon Johnson
CHI
38
Tyler Badie
DEN
39
Zamir White
LV
40
A.J. Dillon
PHI
41
Jarquez Hunter
LAR
42
Trevor Etienne
CAR
43
Kaleb Johnson
PIT
44
Rasheen Ali
BAL
45
Dylan Laube
LV
46
George Holani
SEA
47
Will Shipley
PHI
48
Tahj Brooks
CIN
49
Hunter Luepke
DAL
50
Julius Chestnut
TEN
See which RB handcuff pickups we recommend in our week 8 waiver wire.
Fantasy RB Week 13 News
Bucky Irving is slated to practice all week, which means we might see him in action for the first time since Week 4.
Alvin Kamara is dealing with an MCL sprain, which is projected to keep him out for Week 13. This is a fantastic spot for Devin Neal against the Miami Dolphins defense.
Emanuel Wilson was phenomenal in his Week 12 role with no Josh Jacobs. If Jacobs misses again, Wilson is still a must-start, but it's a daunting matchup with the Detroit Lions.
With J.K. Dobbins set to miss the remainder of the season, RJ Harvey no longer qualifies for the handcuff label. Jaleel McLaughlin is now the top handcuff for Denver.
With Rhamondre Stevenson returning, TreVeyon Henderson is no longer the bell cow. Despite Stevenson taking a back seat, his being active still hurts Henderson's fantasy upside.
Rico Dowdle has cemented himself as the RB1 in this Carolina backfield. This makes Chuba Hubbard one of the top RB handcuffs moving forward.
While it's not quite a committee yet, Tyler Allgeier is a thorn in the side of all Bijan Robinson owners. The Falcons seem to use Robinson in between in 20s, and Allgeier gets the more valuable goal-line work.
While it's still a committee, Woody Marks is taking over as the RB1. Nick Chubb continues to see his role shrink.
While it may be strange, Kenneth Walker seems to be the backup RB in the Seattle backfield. The talent says otherwise, but the usage cannot be ignored any longer.
What is a fantasy football handcuff running back?
Handcuff RBs are extremely valuable in fantasy football leagues. They are backup running backs for real-life NFL teams who would be in line to produce big fantasy stats should the starting RB suffer an injury, be the target of an opposing coach's decision for playing time, or miss games for any other reason.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTherefore, drafting these handcuff running backs in the middle and late rounds of fantasy drafts -- and targeting them on the fantasy waiver wire -- is a popular, proactive move that could increase your chances of making your league's playoffs and winning a fantasy title.
For example, take top-ranked running back Bijan Robinson for the Atlanta Falcons. Should he suffer an injury and miss time his backup is Tyler Allgeier.
Due to his skill set -- a big, bruising back who's also mobile -- and his head coach Raheem Morris' high opinion of his performance, Allgeier would be in line to assume a volumnious workload for every game Robinson misses.
Lucking into situations like this requires preparation, which means drafting and adding ("stashing") running backs who could explode in value with an increased opportunity.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPaying attention to these RB handcuff rankings provides fantasy players with opportunities to improve their teams with forward-thinking player strategy.
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