Having a running back handcuff in fantasy is crucial to the success of your team. When a star running back goes down, it might seem like your season is already over. Before you scramble the waiver wire trying to pick up their replacement, we’ll be looking at 5 fantasy running back handcuffs that are worth drafting and stashing.
Top Fantasy Running Back Handcuffs
Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks
In 2024, Zach Charbonnet finished as fantasy RB25 on the year. This was higher than Seattle’s starting running back, Kenneth Walker II. Charbonnet finished higher because Walker II missed 6 games on the year. In those 6 games where Charbonnet stepped into the starting role, he averaged 17.6 fantasy points in ½ PPR leagues. Had he been the starter for a full season and averaged these numbers, this would be good enough to be the fantasy RB5 overall.
Charbonnet likely sees some starting action again in 2025, as Walker II has not played a full season since entering the NFL in 2022. If K9 goes down, we’ll be confident with Charbonnet having to start. In the games where they both played, Charbonnet averaged just over 6 fantasy points per game, which is still good enough if you’re in a pinch and have injuries or bye weeks you’re dealing with. We like Charbonnet in the 7 to 9 range.
Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins
We’re not drafting Jaylen Wright based on his 2024 production, but with the boom potential he has in 2025. In 2024, Wright was a fantasy RB90 on the year, but we have him pegged for a top 40 finish in 2025. The entire Dolphins roster took a huge step back in 2024 after they were dubbed the greatest show on turf in 2023. Tua Tagovailoa missed nearly half the season in 2024, and without him, the offense looked dead in the water. Heading into 2025, the Dolphins signed Zach Wilson to back up Tua. Wilson has previous starting experience, which is something that previous backups Tyler Huntley & Skylar Thompson were lacking.
If Wilson does see action, we feel more confident having to play Miami’s position players. In Miami’s running back room, Jaylen Wright enters year 2 as the clear backup on the depth chart behind star De’Von Achane. The entire Dolphins offense should see an upgrade in fantasy relevance entering year 2, but Jaylen Wright is one in particular we are very high on. We expect the Dolphins to utilize Wright similarly to how they used Raheem Mostert in 2023, with a 1-2 punch of Achane and Mostert. If Wright can step into a role like Mostert had, he’s in for a monster sophomore campaign. Wright has the most boom or bust potential of any player on this list. He’s worth taking a flyer on between rounds 10 and 12 in redraft leagues.
Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills didn’t need to take a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, but scooped up Kentucky back Ray Davis on day 3. Little did they know that he’d be a steal at that price. Davis finished his rookie campaign with over 400 yards as the team’s backup behind James Cook. Davis is just a handcuff to Cook right now, but has the potential to become more than that in 2025.
The Bills have one of the easier schedules, especially being in the AFC East, where they have zero competition. Once the Bills go up big, this can lead to more opportunities for Ray Davis to get involved. James Cook has been a solid back for the Bills, but hasn’t blown them away, and this can help Davis push himself into a more prominent role in year 2. Out of the backs of this list, he has the highest floor, but the lowest ceiling. If you can snag one of the other 4, we recommend doing so. If unable to get one of them, Davis is still a very solid choice.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
One of the best backups in the entire NFL is Atlanta’s back, Tyler Allgeier. Through 3 seasons, Allgeier has put up nearly 2,400 rushing yards. This is nearly 800 on average per season, and something we think he can accomplish in 2025. Despite being behind Bijan Robinson, a top 3 running back in the league, the Atlanta offense still significantly utilizes Allgeier. With Michael Penix Jr being the starter, we expect Atlanta to lean more heavily into the ground game this season. Allgeier only eclipsed the double-digit mark twice in 2024. This isn’t as much as we wanted to see. It’s a difficult feat to do when you need to back up someone as good as Bijan. Bijan hasn’t missed a game in his career yet, but in the event he ever does go down, Allgeier’s value skyrockets. We don’t want to have to fight on waivers in that instance and would love to pick him up in drafts in rounds 9 to 11 in redraft formats. In dynasty formats, we’re even higher on Allgeier as it’s possible he can end up a starter elsewhere in the league in the future.
Isaac Guerendo, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Arguably, the least talented player on this list, but the one with the greatest potential, is Isaac Guerendo. Guerendo was the 4th option last year for San Francisco, but ended up making 3 starts with the injuries that racked up in their running back room. As part of the 49ers’ selling ship, they parted ways with running backs Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell. They also traded away Deebo Samuel, who took on some carries.
This catapults Guerendo from the 4th or 5th option on the team to the 2nd option behind Christian McCaffrey. CMC is an absolute stud when healthy, but he missed almost all of last season with an injury. CMC is entering his age-29 season, and we’re not confident that he will be able to stay healthy for the full season. With the likelihood of this happening, we’re not waiting to fight for Guerendo on the waivers, but drafting him with confidence in rounds 10-12 in redraft formats. It’s going to hurt not seeing him play for weeks at a time, but when he does play, expect double-digit production.
