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A good handcuff isn’t just a running back behind a guy who gets injured a lot, or a talented back. You have to balance the two. I look for guys behind backs that I am iffy on, backs who are older or injury prone, and players who play behind good offensive lines. The backs listed below can also have stand-alone value, especially in PPR.
Bilal Powell (RB, Jets)
Powell is a shifty back who is in the same mold as Matt Forte. He is more than a third down back, which he proved last season when Ivorwas banged up. Powell averaged 10.6 touches per game and was a huge part of the Jets’ late season success. From weeks 11-16 he caught 5 or more passes 5 times. During their five-game winning streak from weeks 12-16, he ran for 162 yards (5.8 average) and a TD and had 27 catches for 232 yards and two scores. He missed the Bills game at the end of season and the Jets offense didn’t look the same. The Jets know what they have in Powell and gave him a nice contract in the offseason, just slightly less than Forte. Powell is likely to stay involved even with Forte and could offer some serious PPR value. Forte and Powell both are picture perfect fits for Chain Gailey’s spread system. They are three down backs who can run in-between the tackles, pass block, and catch the ball out of the backfield. Khiry Robinson is likely to be the goal line back for this team, though Powell has been very efficient in the red zone. When Bowles was asked how Powell looks, he said “He’s been healthy, he’s been quick, he looks a lot quicker than he did last year. He’s always smart, he’s always talking, he’s steady. What you see is what you get all the time from him. I’m happy about that.” Forte already is having hamstring issues and early soft tissue injuries tend to linger. Powell is a must-own fantasy player on your team. If Forte goes down, he could be a top 5 PPR running back.
Deandre Washington (RB, Raiders)
If you are in the Latavius Murray isn’t good club, then Deandre Washington is the man for you. Murray still owns a lot of fantasy value right now because he will get touches, and opportunity is the most important thing in fantasy football. Washington is said to have already taken the third down role from Murray, and with Roy Helu being cut he doesn’t have much competition for it. Washington averaged 6.73 yards per carry in college, and caught over 120 balls. He is 5’8 204 lbs. ran a 4.49 40 and is very elusive. In his first preseason game, Washington had 8 carries for 43 yards, and caught his only target and took it 32 yards. The Raiders added some serious talent to their offensive line this offseason adding Osemele paired with Gabe Jackson, making for one of the top guard tandems in the league. The Raiders’ line is massive and should lean on teams and wear them down. This spells big play potential for an explosive back such as Washington. In PPR formats he has a chance to match the production of Giovanni Bennard or Duke Johnson. With an injury or more bad Murray play, he has the chance to have a huge impact as a rookie for a bargain bin price.
Charles Sims (RB, Bucs)
Sims was a beast last year and not many noticed. He was targeted 70 times and caught 51 passes for 561 yards and 4 touchdowns. Martin only out-snapped Sims by 160 last year, so Sims is closer to time share guy right now than a true handcuff. If Martin was to go down, the ceiling for Sims would be a top 5 PPR running back similar to what happened with Devonta Freeman last year. The Bucs have a solid run blocking offensive line, but can struggle in pass protection. This can mean one of two things, Sims stays in to help block more, or Winston won’t have time to throw down the field and will need to dump the ball to Sims. Sims offers good value with his current role on the Bucs in PPR and could explode if Martin gets hurt or misses time.
Kenneth Dixon (RB, Ravens)
There are rumblings around the league that Forsett could be at risk to get cut, leading the way for Terrence West. Now I am not one to believe this with what Forsett has given to the Ravens and the fact that West has never been a success in the NFL. During the first preseason game, West got the goal line touches and scored two touchdowns, but Dixon was the player who stood out. He was explosive and made multiple defenders miss. Dixon was a second round talent, do-it-all player. If Forsett gets cut, Dixon’s stock will shoot up as his talent is far superior to West and Allen, and he would get serious playing time. The Ravens have a good offensive line though they did lose Osemele, but have always been a good fantasy stop for running backs. With Dixon you may have to be patient, but he has David Johnson-like potential for the second half.
Shaun Draughn (RB, 49ers)
Modkins was the Lions’ running backs coach last season before joining head coach Chip Kelly in San Francisco, and he was quoted comparing Draughn to Theo Riddick. He is the clear cut pass catching back for Chip Kelly who has used pass catching backs with great success at every stop he’s had. If Carlos Hyde continues to be hurt, Draughn could see a very high volume of snaps. Even if Hyde stays healthy, the 49ers are likely to be trailing a lot this season. This means they will be playing catch up and using their pass catching backs even more. Draughn is being overlooked by nearly everyone and should be added to you roster. He has stand-alone PPR RB 2 potential and isn’t going in the first 10 rounds.
