Fantasy RB handcuffs chart 2021: Find the sleepers, back up the keys to your top runs

RB handcuffs are a necessary evil in fantasy football. Running injured (or on the COVID list) too often to Not have insurance policies, especially if they are one of your first options. Knowing the team depth chart and having a player’s backup ready to include in your squad is a great way to keep your team on track. It’s not a bad idea to get one or two stooges who aren’t even in your group. You never know when a sleeper will show up and make significant rankings ahead of his 2021 season thanks to increased playtime.

To illustrate the importance of handcuffs, see Christian McCaffrey and Mike Davis in 2020. McCaffrey has suffered a number of injuries throughout the season and played only three games, opening the door for Davis to take over. In weeks 3-16, Davis was 6th overall in the PPR format. The McCaffrey owners without Davis kicked themselves, as they lost their No. 1 overall pick for most of the year and had to try to find replacements from other teams. Those who picked up Davis received a box of RB1 bargains. It may have been bad luck to lose McCaffrey for most of the season, but covering yourself up from an injury standpoint was just a smart practice.

As mentioned above, you do not Yes for a group to start running again to see the value in their handcuffs. In a tournament where you outline Ezekiel Elliott and Miles Sanders, Tony Pollard and Kenneth Gainwell are sure to than appealing to you, but you should consider them even if you don’t have Elliott and Sanders. Even without starter injury, Pollard and Gainwell can have flexible values.

Some handcuffs are more valuable than others, so consider that in your draft. Pollard and Gainwell offer significantly more benefits than the likes of Samaje Perine and Salvon Ahmed. Just like starting back, the quality of RB #2 is just as important, as are other factors, such as receptive skill set and red zone acumen. You don’t have to reach for low-end handcuffs. They will be available in the last few rounds.

We’ve seen names like Pollard, Alexander Mattison and Jamaal Williams flash when given a more important role in a crime, so they’re among the more attractive handcuffs. Anonymous, such as Chuba Hubbard and Jeremy McNichols, often sit on the giving-up rope unless it’s a deep league. As always, keep an eye on trauma situations and do a quick weekly count, and be ready to spot things trending in the wrong direction.

2021 Fantasy RB handcuffs

1 = The Committee of Cardinals Returning Chase Edmonds (ankle) will be out until at least Week 14. He will return to his key role on the council when healthy.

2 = Falcons starter Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) must rest until at least Week 12. He will start when healthy.

3 = Substitute for Browns Kareem Hunt (calf) will rest until at least Week 12. He will return to a much-used “backup” role when healthy.

4 = Packers promoter Aaron Jones (knee) will be out for at least Week 12. He will start when he is healthy.

5 = Saints starter Alvin Kamara (knee) will rest until at least Week 12. He will start when healthy

6 = Jets initiator Michael Carter (ankle) must rest until at least Week 14. He will start when healthy.

7 = Eagles handcuff Jordan Howard (knees) for at least Week 13 (probably Week 15). He will return to the key “backup” role when he is healthy.

8 = 49ers starter Elijah Mitchell (finger) will rest until at least Week 12. He will start when healthy.

9 = Titans starter Derrick Henry (leg) will be off for at least Week 15, possibly longer. He will be the starter when he returns.