In fantasy football, smart managers don’t just chase starters; they stash the backups who could become league-winners overnight, and Week 13 is no exception.
With Alvin Kamara already ruled out, rookie Devin Neal goes from a handcuff to a starter. Bear in mind, he is also questionable to play due to a knee injury. Currently, Audric Estime and Evan Hull are the other backs on the roster, along with Taysom Hill, to take more carries regardless for the Saints.
Here’s your Week 13 handcuff RB rankings, spotlighting the most valuable insurance policies and upside plays.
Injury Watch for Week 13
Handcuff: Sean Tucker/ Rachaad White
Injury Status: Full Participant on Wednesday (foot/ shoulder), Likely Active in Some Capacity (Limited Snaps)
Starter: Bucky Irving
I wouldn’t start any of these backs till we see what the snap count looks like for Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay. Sean Tucker basically took over as the primary backup/ spot starter the last few weeks while Rachaad White was demoted as just the 3rd down back for his receiving skills.
Handcuff: Kimani Vidal
Injury Status: Injured Reserve (limited in Practice due to ankle). The deadline to be activated is Saturday
Starter: Omarion Hampton
If Omarion Hampton is not activated off the I.R. by Saturday, then Kimani Vidal becomes viable for fantasy once again. But even if the rookie comes back, there was some chatter about still getting Vidal involved, as Hampton suffered a more serious injury than previously thought for the Chargers.
Handcuff: Michael Carter (Bam Knight- Limited due to knee, Emari Demercado- Questionable due to ankle)
Injury Status: Injured Reserve (Limited in Practice due to knee). Check Friday’s Injury Report
Starter: Trey Benson
It is a similar case in Arizona to Tampa, as I wouldn’t start any of these backs unless both Emari Demercado and Bam Knight were out, making Michael Carter the last man standing (Trey Benson ruled out). But that is the only case, as the Cardinals have been extremely pass-happy with Jacoby Brissett and rightfully so with the breakout of Michael Wilson.
Top 10 Pure Handcuff Rankings
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, as I didn’t include any running backs from the Thanksgiving slate or play on Black Friday.
- Dylan Sampson
- Brian Robinson Jr.
- Jaleel McLaughlin
- Isaiah Davis
- Blake Corum
- Ollie Gordon II
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Raheem Mostert
- Jordan Mason
- Ty Johnson
Players in Split or Ambiguous Backfields that could be Flexed as Starters
- Tyjae Spears/ Tony Pollard
- Rhamondre Stevenson/ TreVeyon Henderson
- Devin Singletary/ Tyrone Tracy Jr.
- Zach Charbonnet/ Kenneth Walker III
- Jaylen Warren/ Kenneth Gainwell
- Nick Chubb/ Woody Marks
- Tyler Allgeier/ Bijan Robinson
- Chuba Hubbard/ Rico Dowdle
- Chris Rodriguez/ Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Despite Rhamondre Stevenson coming back from injury, it’s the TreVeyon Henderson show in New England, and the same can be said for Woody Marks in Houston, making Nick Chubb a touchdown-dependent handcuff backup. The rookie running back takeover is in full effect, with those two young backs seeing the volume finally.
