Brutal injuries heading into Week 4 highlight the running back position, as that changes the outlook on handcuffs overall for fantasy football. Most rookie running backs have had slow starts to the season, but expect their workload to increase gradually throughout the season.
In fantasy football, smart managers don’t just chase starters; they stash the backups who could become league-winners overnight. Here’s your Week 4 handcuff RB rankings, spotlighting the most valuable insurance policies and upside plays.
Stash-Worthy Handcuffs
Rookie Woody Marks is a must-add in waivers this week, as he is increasing the workload in Houston and could become the starter or at least a more fantasy viable player in PPR for the Texans. Nick Chubb has been serviceable, but his role, besides being a short-yardage power back in the red zone, isn’t stable.
Despite insane usage with De’Von Achane as a receiver, the Miami Dolphins finally used Ollie Gordon as their power back, but more importantly, their alternate spell back to gash teams on inside runs and not just a handcuff. The preseason hype led up to this type of performance, even against a bad Bills run defense, as it could be a trend moving forward (with Weeks 1-2 being an anomaly).
Woody Marks– Team: Houston Texans
Ollie Gordon II– Team: Miami Dolphins
Injury Watch
If Zach Charbonnet is out again, Kenneth Walker becomes a top 10 running back for fantasy once again. Based on Monday’s practice reports, it seems like Charbonnet is trending to come back, but he was pretty inefficient in Week 2 when he was on the field. Still, Charbonnet is a stash on benches due to Walker’s workload remaining the same, as they still mixed in George Holani in a blowout win.
Handcuff: Zach Charbonnet
Injury Status: Out Week 3 with Foot Injury, Monitor for Week 4
Starter: Kenneth Walker III
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 Kenneth Gainwell and Kareem Hunt 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.
With the James Conner injury, Trey Benson becomes an instant starter, along with rookie Omarion Hampton, with the Najee Harris injury. Look out for new backups due to injuries like Samaje Perine (Tahj Brooks) and Hassan Haskins (Chargers). With Tyrone Tracy Jr. likely out for a few weeks, Cam Skattebo becomes the starter, while Devin Singletary mixes in for the New York Giants.
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Brian Robinson Jr.
- Tyler Allgeier
- Rachaad White
- Blake Corum
- Braelon Allen
- Kendre Miller
- Kai Monangai
- Rico Dowdle
- Devin Singletary
