Let me take you back to 2017. I was still a fantasy football rookie, having fun but not exactly an expert. On draft night, I snagged the first overall pick and went with David Johnson, the superstar running back for the Arizona Cardinals. He had an amazing previous season, so it was a no-brainer. But hey, sometimes the brightest stars go kaboom first. Feeling like a genius, I proudly welcomed him to my team, practically floating with excitement for the season ahead. Fast forward to opening week: I’m glued to the TV, watching a Cardinals game just to see David Johnson lead my fantasy team to a victory. I bet you can guess what happened next. Three quarters into the season, David Johnson dislocated his wrist and, poof, my season was essentially over. I would go on to finish ninth place out of ten. It was not my ideal fantasy football season, but I did learn a valuable lesson. Handcuffs can save your season.
What is a Handcuff?
Think of a handcuff as insurance. You never want to be in a car accident without it. That’s exactly how it feels when you invest a high draft pick on a player, and they go down with an injury and miss a significant period of time. If you’re thinking of using a rounds 1-3 pick on a player, be sure to do a little research and find out who sits behind them on the depth chart. Handcuffs usually apply to running backs. Statistically, that is the position on your offense that will miss the highest average of games per year. I now religiously pick up the backup to any running back I draft in rounds one through three.
Here’s a list of some running backs and their Handcuffs you might consider drafting.
| Starting Running Back | Handcuff |
| Christian McCaffrey | Elijah Mitchell/Jordan Mason |
| Bijan Robinson | Tyler Allgeier |
| Saquon Barkley | Will Shipley/Kenneth Gainwell |
| De’von Achane | Raheem Mostert |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | David Montgomery |
| Breece Hall | Braelon Allen |
Hopefully, you remember my misfortune when drafting this fantasy season. Drafting a handcuff to pair with your star running back is not essential, but it can be the difference between making a strong playoff push or throwing in the towel and trying again next year. Happy drafting and good luck this season!