Another week in the books, more changes to the handcuff rankings for Week 5. Surprisingly, some of the backups performed better than starters despite roles not changing for some teams.
New additions to this include Zavier Scott, who is the handcuff/ receiving back behind Jordan Mason and could be someone to stash while Aaron Jones is out. Emari Demercado carved out a receiving role for the Cardinals like last season, even with Trey Benson stepping in as the lead back, so he is a worthwhile add as both split the workload in Arizona. Brashard Smith is a stash for the Chiefs, as the rookie in Kansas City could see more usage as a receiver with both lead backs not impressing to start 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 5 handcuff RB rankings, spotlighting the most valuable insurance policies and upside plays.
Stash-Worthy Handcuffs
With trade rumors swirling with Alvin Kamara and the team not being totally competitive in 2025 (based on record, not totally on the field, at least on offense), they could ship off the veteran back. Behind him, the Saints do have a young back looking to see more snaps in Kendre Miller, who has looked good in the games he plays in, as New Orleans is down early in most of their games this year.
But shockingly, to start the year, they have rotated him more in as a change of pace back, something he never really did under Dennis Allen in previous seasons. This could make him fantasy viable if he ever did see the starting role, even in a bad offense for fantasy football. If a trade is done for Kamara, then Miller would be a potential RB2 as a starter.
Miller saw 11 carries against the Buffalo Bills, the most so far this year, but had an efficient day with 65 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The only downside is that he might not see a three-down workload, as he is not much of a receiver.
Now, the more interesting pickup could be Justice Hill, as this Baltimore Ravens team, under John Harbaugh, despite no designated injury or anything, refuses to play Keaton Mitchell. This has led to Rasheen Ali seeing more game action due to “special teams”. I could see a trade coming for Mitchell, as this would solidify 100% the pass-catching role in the backfield for sure for Hill, who already comes in on third down with his blocking prowess.
Due to the Ravens being down or in more passing game scripts, Derrick Henry, along with his fumbling struggles, has been phased out late in games. This gives full runway for Hill to be the 3rd down back who gets garbage-time usage. If Lamar Jackson were to miss anytime due to a hamstring, Cooper Rush would be the starter and use Hill as the check-down option, potentially more than Jackson would. He could be flex viable, as Hill has high scoring potential with this offense.
The receiving back for the Ravens has seen more than two targets every game and is coming off a five catch, 41-yard performance with a receiving and rushing touchdown. Hill also had three carries for 76 yards, and if Henry were to miss any amount of time this season, he would see a three-down workload for the Ravens.
Kendre Miller– Team: New Orleans Saints
Justice Hill– Team: Baltimore Ravens
Injury Watch
This is one to monitor, as if Bucky Irving misses Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks, Rachaad White would be an RB2 for fantasy, especially PPR. This would elevate Sean Tucker to be the backup, as we saw last year that he could potentially be fantasy viable if he sees more snaps for the Bucs. But White’s pass-catching skillset is stable with scoring upside as a potential starter for Tampa Bay.
Handcuff: Rachaad White
Injury Status: Undisclosed (MRI)- Shoulder or Rib?
Starter: Bucky Irving
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 Washington 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.
Jets backup Braelon Allen had a bad fumble near the goal line and was injured, so Breece Hall’s backup in New York would be Isaiah Davis. Tyjae Spears is likely to be activated off injured reserve within the coming weeks as the handcuff to Tony Pollard in Tennessee for the Titans.
The Patriots’ backfield is a mess, as they use Antonio Gibson in the mix as well. For the Dallas Cowboys, Miles Sanders, the backup to Javonte Williams, suffered a minor injury, so rookie Jaydon Blue could see some increased usage if Sanders misses any time. Keep an eye on Raheem Mostert, as the backup to Ashton Jeanty saw game action for the first time this year.
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Brian Robinson Jr.
- Brashard Smith
- Emari Demercado
- Blake Corum
- Devin Singletary
- Ollie Gordon II
- Kai Monangai
- Rico Dowdle
- Zavier Scott
