In fantasy football, smart managers don’t just chase starters; they stash the backups who could become league-winners overnight, especially with Week 15 and the fantasy playoffs. Now is the time to stash your backups on your benches.
There aren’t many injuries to note for Week 15, but there were some updates on key handcuffs or previous 3rd stringers, who have now vaulted into backup territory with their increased usage from Week 14.
Here’s your Week 15 handcuff RB rankings, spotlighting the most valuable insurance policies and upside plays.
Handcuff Spotlight
Handcuff: Chuba Hubbard
Starter: Rico Dowdle
Although Rico Dowdle’s usage hasn’t decreased that much, his touchdown equity and usage as a receiver have for the Panthers. This week, he goes against the Saints, as he does offer a good enough floor, but recently, Chuba Hubbard has gotten the big-play touchdowns that lower Dowdle’s ceiling. Both could be flex options or running back 2 plays in PPR this week.
Handcuff: Jaylen Wright
Starter: De’Von Achane
De’Von Achane should be active for Monday Night against the Steelers, but owners should get Jaylen Wright off waivers anyway. When Achane went out last week against the Jets, Wright became the lead back and not Ollie Gordon, as this could be a shift in the backfield for the Dolphins. If Achane is out for any period of time during the fantasy playoffs, Wright could be a league winner, as he saw 24 carries (for 107 yards and a touchdown).
Injury Status
Handcuff: Devin Neal
Starter: Alvin Kamara
It looks like Alvin Kamara is trending to be out again this week against the Panthers, as rookie Devin Neal will take over as the lead back once again for the Saints. He had high enough usage to warrant starting, and this is a decent matchup. Neal has a solid floor between 10 and 15 fantasy PPR points in his three starts without Kamara.
Handcuff: Emanuel Wilson
Starter: Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs is questionable again with a knee injury he has been managing, so keep an eye on this heading into the weekend. The Jacobs owner should already have Emanuel Wilson, as he has taken most of the work when the starter is out, but this is a tough matchup against the Broncos in Denver. Still, if Jacobs is out, Packers‘ backup Wilson can be viable as a flex option this week.
Top Pure Handcuff Rankings Week 15
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. I didn’t include players from the Thursday Night game. This is in no specific order.
- Jordan Mason
- Samaje Perine
- Isaiah Pacheco
- Dylan Sampson
- Isaiah Davis
- Kimani Vidal
- David Montgomery
- Tyjae Spears
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Tank Bigsby
- Brian Robinson Jr.
- Blake Corum
The only big changes are that David Montgomery is the clear backup to Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit, while with Omarion Hampton back for the Chargers, Kimani Vidal is the handcuff to own. At this point, for the Chiefs, Isiah Pacheco is the backup to Kareem Hunt. The rest of this list have been established backups for most of the season, as it is more important to add your own backups to your starting backs in your lineup moving forward.
