Fantasy Football 2012: An Early Look at the Top 10 Running Back Handcuffs

When a star running back goes down, dependency on the waiver wire for their backup can be chancy.

In certain situations, it can be extremely beneficial to have your star RBs backup on your fantasy roster as a contingency plan. For example, if last year you drafted injury-prone RB Felix Jones, and picked up DeMarco Murray in the last few rounds, you got solid production throughout the year even though both RBs battled injuries.

In other situations, it can be beneficial to have the handcuff of another owner’s star running back. This can help with roster flexibility, as you can avoid having two RBs with the same bye week. 

So, when considering handcuffs, it’s best to weigh the value of an insurance policy for one player against increasing the total value and productivity of your roster.

Here’s an early look at the 10 best handcuff options for 2012.

*While there may be arguments over what constitutes a team with a “running back by committee” system, I did not include backs on such teams.

Michael Bush, Raiders (Free Agent)

Bush has been perhaps the top handcuff back of the past two seasons, subbing in for the injury-prone Darren McFadden. However, Bush is an unrestricted free agent. If he does end up back with the Raiders, he’s one of the most proven handcuffs available, as he ran for 977 yards and seven TDs in 2011, his fourth season in the league. 

But Bush will be costly, going as an early mid-round pick most likely. 

Bush was, on average, the 40th back taken in last year’s fantasy drafts. He won’t fall that far this year, but he can give you top-10 potential and you could probably nab him as the 20th back or later.

He’ll still produce behind a healthy McFadden, but I wouldn’t recommend drafting both, as the cost is too high.

Toby Gerhart, Vikings

Adrian Peterson missed four games in 2011 and Gerhart showed his capability as the star runner’s backup. Gerhart averaged 4.9 yards per carry in his second NFL season while rushing for 531 yards. He also caught 23 balls for 190 yards.

Gerhart will probably only cost you one of your final two picks in the draft. And if you have Peterson and he does go down, it will be a small price to pay for one of the better fill-in backs available.

Ben Tate, Texans

The Texans just inked franchise-back Arian Foster to a hefty extension, but Tate is still in the fold as well. He’s also one of the few handcuffs that steps in and gives almost as much fantasy value as the starter.

Tate rushed for a 942 yards on 5.4 yards per carry in 2011, scoring four TDs in the process.

It was Tate’s first taste of regular season action in the NFL; his 2010 rookie campaign ended with a fractured ankle sustained in the preseason.

He’s certainly not the pass-catching threat that Foster is, but Tate is a valuable and utilized asset in the Texans system. 

It would, however, be a big investment to back up Foster with Tate, a guy you won't be able to get in one of the last rounds of the draft.

Kendall Hunter, 49ers

Hunter is a RB that could break out in 2012 under the right circumstances.

San Francisco starter Frank Gore has battled injuries throughout his career, will be 29 years old next season, and is coming off a year in which he had 282 carries—the most he’s had since 2006.

Hunter had a solid rookie campaign while backing up Gore. He rushed for 473 yards on 4.2 YPC.

San Francisco will most likely lighten Gore’s load this season and put more trust in Hunter during his second season. 

Daniel Thomas, Dolphins

Reggie Bush had a lot of doubters to prove wrong heading into 2011, and he temporarily silenced them with his first 1,000-yard season.

It was rookie Daniel Thomas that put up the better numbers early in the season, but the veteran Bush settled any controversy by finishing the season with four straight 100-yard performances, including 203 yards in Week 15 against the Bills.

Bush had 216 carries in 2011, the most he has ever had in a season.

Meanwhile, Thomas took a step back as the season progressed, but still finished with 581 yards on the ground.

Thomas has the potential to steal some carries from Bush in 2012. And he will be ready to step in if anything should happen to the lead back.

Joe McKnight, Jets

McKnight racked up over 1,000 return yards last season with the Jets, proving he has the capability to make people miss in the open field.

But at RB, McKnight was stuck behind the 26-year-old starter Shonn Greene and the pass-catching veteran LaDainian Tomlinson.

With the return of Tomlinson unlikely, there could be an opening for McKnight on 3rd downs. He caught only 13 balls in 2011, but averaged 10.7 yards per reception.

The Jets might draft a RB though, so this situation will be one to watch.

Ronnie Brown, Eagles (Free Agent)

Brown didn’t get the workload he had been accustomed to in his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Then again, when you’re backing up a healthy LeSean McCoy, it’s tough to get on the field.

Brown had career lows in rushing attempts (42), yards (136) and TDs (1).

But Brown has a 1,000-yard season under his belt (2006) and a season with 10 rushing TDs (2008).

If Brown returns to Philadelphia (he will be a free agent March 18), then he is truly just a handcuff. He’s unlikely to produce any fantasy value without an injury to McCoy. 

Felix Jones, Cowboys

For now, it looks like Jones will be the backup to DeMarco Murray while getting some time as the 3rd-down back for the Dallas Cowboys. Like Michael Bush, Jones will be one of the first backups off the board.

Jones was the lead back at the start of 2011, but lost that role temporarily when he went down with a hamstring injury. Murray then missed the Cowboys’ final three games with an ankle injury.

Jones will still produce as a pass-catching threat on third downs and in other spot duty. He’s a good handcuff to have...if someone else as Murray.

For more on Jones and Murray, check here.

Javon Ringer, Titans

Ringer hasn’t gained much NFL experience playing behind Chris Johnson; he has only 118 career rushing attempts that have resulted in 472 yards over three seasons.

However, he did put up some impressive numbers while at Michigan State. In his final season there (2008), Ringer rushed for 1697 yards and 22 TDs.

Ringer might be worth a late draft pick to handcuff Johnson (a likely a first- or second-round selection).

Mikel Leshoure, Lions

Leshoure missed all of 2011 with a torn Achilles’ tendon that he suffered during a practice last August. He was expected to come in and produce as a compliment to the second-year RB Jahvid Best.

Leshoure is expected to be the backup to Best again this year. Best suffered his own season-ending injury (concussion) last season after just five games. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry during that span though, a major improvement from his 2010 average (3.2).

There’s a good possibility Leshoure gets drafted soon after the starting RBs are gone. In 2010, his final season at Illinois, Leshoure rushed for 1697 yards and 17 TDs on 6.0 yards per carry.