Once the starters inhabit the majority of fantasy football teams in the draft, it’s time to decide how you’re going to structure your strategy.
You could meander through the remaining draft, picking up a bunch of wide receivers who are inconsistent at best just because there’s a possibility they could give you a few weeks of being a realistic WR3.
Or you could look for the best handcuffs among running backs, playing to the possibility that they could see the field if the starter either doesn’t perform or succumbs to injury.
Here’s three quality handcuffs available in the fantasy football draft.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans, RB
His average draft position is actually not that far off from starter DeMarco Murray. Murray’s ADP among running backs is 18, while Henry is at 38. That’s pretty close for a firm starter against his understudy.
But in this case, this is about expectations. Murray has shown to not be able to stay healthy during his career and also not to be consistent. After a career year in 2014, he took a major step back last season with the Eagles. Now he has a new team that is focused on a run-first approach.
But that won’t matter if Murray doesn’t produce. If he reverts back to his ways from last year or gets bit by the injury bug again, then coaches likely won’t hesitate to put Henry, Tennessee’s second-round draft pick this year, in as the starter for the Titans.
The biggest issue with Henry is the spot you must draft him as a handcuff for Murray. For most handcuffs, you can wait until the later rounds. For Henry, he’s likely only going to be available until the middle rounds, and he’s unlikely to really produce for your team until the middle of the season, when the Titans must make a decision on how to best use Murray.
If you can get your running backs stabilized early in the draft, then Henry would make a solid RB4 for now, with a distinct possibility that he could produce later in the season.
Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota Vikings, RB
How much more can we expect from Adrian Peterson? Usually, he’s about as reliable as any running back in the NFL. Eventually, though, even Peterson will succumb to Father Time.
And when he does, McKinnon would be the logical next step for the Vikings. Coaches have already identified this year as being a time when McKinnon will see more playing time. The third-year pro has already shown he’s able to be a third-down back in the NFL.
If Peterson goes out with injury, McKinnon would be the main back in an offense that owns a run-first approach. That’s important when identifying the best handcuff options.
McKinnon’s ADP is 61st among running backs, giving him great value as a handcuff. He won’t be worth a fantasy start if Peterson is still available. But if McKinnon is needed, his production could look more like an RB1 option than stuck on the bench.
Cameron Artis-Payne, Carolina Panthers, RB
I was on the Artis-Payne bandwagon last season. That worked for a few weeks when he showed he could be a decent fantasy option last year during Jonathan Stewart’s injury with 210 total yards and one touchdown during the final three weeks.
We’re in the same boat this season with Stewart being the lead dog and Artis-Payne as the backup. Artis-Payne is a firm backup, but that doesn’t mean he won’t see the field in his second season.
Stewart hasn’t been the most durable running back of late. The last time he played a full 16-game slate was in 2011. In the last four years, he’s managed 13 games twice, and six and nine games once.
That opens the door for Artis-Payne to squeeze into a main role for a team focused primarily on the run. Sure, Cam Newton takes up some of those carries and steals away red zone opportunities. But being the main back on Carolina carries with it a certain clout in fantasy football.
And that would go a long way for a player currently projected with an ADP of 66 among running backs.
