In the fantasy playoffs, you should have your established starters, but if you need some flex options, there are some available and usable handcuffs this week for Week 16. Here’s your Week 16 handcuff RB rankings, spotlighting the most valuable insurance policies and upside plays.
Injury Status
Handcuff: Audric Estime
Starter: Alvin Kamara/ Devin Neal (Both likely out)
Due to the injuries to the Saints‘ backfield, with Alvin Kamara likely out again and Devin Neal out for the season, Audric Estime will get the bulk of the work against the Jets‘ weak defense that just fired their defensive coordinator. Although he had just 3 carries last week against the Panthers, he also got 3 catches, making him a decent floor option in PPR if you need a desperation flex.
Handcuff: Michael Carter
Starter: Bam Knight (Out of the Season)
Although Emeri Demercado came back from injury, Bam Knight suffered a season-ender, making Michael Carter the lead Cardinals ball-carrier. He also has a decent floor for fantasy football and has goal-line potential over Demercado. Last week, vs. a tough Texans defense, he had 4 catches and 14 carries, but will now face off against the Falcons defense, an easier matchup.
Top Pure Handcuff Rankings for Week 16
I only included running backs who are in defined backup roles to a known starter, so backs in ambiguous split or trio backfields I didn’t include for this list. Also, players like the backfield trio are essentially seeing enough time as part-time starters themselves and have RB 2/3 or, at worst, flex appeal as a starter, so they are not in this list either. This is in no specific order, and I did not include anyone from the Thursday Night game.
- Ameer Abdullah
- Samaje Perine
- Lequint Allen Jr.
- Brian Robinson Jr.
- Isaiah Davis
- Emanuel Wilson
- David Montgomery
- Tyjae Spears
- Tank Bigsby
- Kyle Monangai
- Devin Singletary
- Trayveon Williams
Lequint Allen Jr. is the new backup to Travis Etienne Jr., with Bhayshul Tuten likely out for the Jaguars, while Trayveon Williams is the backup to Quinshon Judkins for the Browns if Dylan Sampson is out again.
3 or 4 Way Backfields
- Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Sean Tucker
- Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco, Brashard Smith
- Derrick Henry, Rasheen Ali, Keaton Mitchell
- Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jacory Croskey- Merritt, Jeremy McNichols
- Woody Marks, Nick Chubb, Dare Ogunbowale, and Jawhar Jordan
The Texans’ backfield is a mess, as Woody Marks always gets hurt in the game but gets the lead opportunities, while Nick Chubb was out last week but might play this week and has goal-line touches. Dare Ogunbowale and Jawhar Jordan got snaps last week while both were out. They do get a good matchup against the Raiders’ run defense, which has been pretty advantageous for backs this year.
Split Backfields
- Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason
- Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard
- Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal
- Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren
- TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson
Kenneth Gainwell has been the preferred back in PPR and Aaron Rodgers safety valve for the Steelers, who are playing in Detroit in a big matchup vs. the Lions. Omarion Hampton may see increased usage in another game coming off injury against the Cowboys, as they have been a more improved run-stopping unit, but overall still a plus matchup for the Chargers’ backfield.
