Handcuff VS marginal starter @ RB (1 Viewer)

[DoGdr]

The handcuff for my top running back has just made it on to the waiver wire. I have the chance to pick him up but that would mean dropping a player who is a marginal starter at best in my league but who is still rated higher on FBG's top 250 than the talented backup in a good situation that I would pick up. I know I would be giving up a little value right now (I have tried to trade with no takers) but I feel like he would be of greater value if my stud Rb went out.

What do you think about getting a top handcuff vs a marginal starter and a fourth RB in a start 2?

(note:I left out names because I wanted to make this more of a general discussion, )

 

[Bri]

outside of a few, top handcuff is to a banged up starter IMO. For example, Betts. Portis is supposedly playing but he's banged up. For me, Betts is a prime guy to have as it's quite possible Portis misses time.

Chester Taylor concussion, not such a big deal to increase Mewelde but should bear your attention.

The pounding of the NFL is kicking in and IMO you gotta take note of some RBs that are banged up. Opportunity is key here.

Well then I prefer the handcuff risk/reward.

 

[smackdaddies]

I have been thinking about this and have not made a decision either way

Look at Morris- if you had handcuffed Alexander with him, you got yourself a dreadfull RB

I think if you know the handcuff is good (drew, norwood, jacobs) the reward potential is high - you almost have to do it

Then there is the middle group - Davenport, heron, perry

Then the low - Calhoun, morris, moore, gore's backup.

Depending on roster requirements, you almost have too. On the low end - you shouldnt. The middle -well, thats the art part.

 

[my man otis]

I always structure my RBs --> RB1, RB2, RB3, handcuff to RB1, best other backup available.

The only time you would need a 4th RB starter ("marginal starter" in your post) in this structure is if RB2 or RB3 gets hurt on RB1s bye week.

You've still got three RBs, the handcuff to your best RB as well as another backup that could gain in value if situations change.

For example, in one league I've got Rudi, FWP, Deuce, Perry, MBIII. Perry is more valuable to me there than a RB like Barlow, White, etc.

 

[Marc Levin]

It really depends on a few things, including who are your starting RBs, who is your RB3, what is the strength of the starting RBs' running game (which determines whether you even WANT the handcuff), whether the RB4 has a reasonable chance of starting down the stretch, and whether the handcuff RB is the clear backup or whether he could find himself in a committee if the starter is injured.

You also have to consider whether you are likely to make the playoffs or not.

If I am pretty sure I am going to make the playoffs, and my RB1 is from a team committed to the run (almost inevitable), then I want his immediate backup - bt only if I am pretty sure the backup will fill in admirably for the starter.

The best examples are LT and LJ. Turner behind LT is a great move - you know Turner is the immediate backup on a team committed to the run and he has the skills to produce if pressed into action.

With LJ, the answer is not clear - is Bennett his clear backup? Would he be in a committee? Would he perform as well as LJ if pressed into action?

I'm sorry all I can say is "it depends" but that is really the truth of the situation.

Iwill give you my example - in one league, I have LT, TBell, M J-D, and Turner. I am going to run with that and not add any RBs - I can't get Mike Bell. I would also prefer Turner to my previous RB4 (who I traded away) - I had Reggie Bush, a marginal FF player in non-PPR leagues.

If I had Bush on my squad and not Turner, and Turner hit the WW, I would probably drop Bush and pick up Turner.

 

[Marc Levin]

The other advantage to the RB1 handcuff is, if you have a player on a team likely to clinch a playoff spot before the last weekend and you play in week 17, you can play the backup on the assumption that the starter will sit.

 

[Biabreakable]

The other advantage to the RB1 handcuff is, if you have a player on a team likely to clinch a playoff spot before the last weekend and you play in week 17, you can play the backup on the assumption that the starter will sit.

Agreed.Teams that will clinch positioning in the playoffs and rest starters are also more likely to play conservativly thus giving the backup Rb a lot of work during FF playoff games that you may use such handcuffs in also.It depends on your roster size. Personaly I would prefer to add the handcuff and keep my marginal starter by giving up a backup at another position if that was an option. I do not like relying on the WW to fill a position of scarcity that Rbs ushualy are in FF. At this point most of the byes are over so keeping that 4th ot 5th WR or backup K/TE is becoming less useful. I would rather have a 5th or 6th Rb in many cases for 2 reasons:1. For depth and flexibility of starting options on my team.2. To block my opponents from picking up marginal starter or handcuff.I have seen several fantasy championship teams ride the mid season WW Rb pickup into the playoffs and championships. It irks me to no end when a team that has drafted poorly gets waiver priority and then lands the darkhorse Rb. My roster management is based on all the teams not just my teams needs.This year top handcuffs are:TurnerNorwoodMaroneyDeAngelo WilliamsCedric BensonChris PerryMike BellMarion BarberBrandon JacobsM. MooreMusa SmithBettsFargasL. WhiteMarginal starters:CaddyFred/MJDMorrisTravis HornyBushWali LundyRhodes/AddaiWashington/BarlowYou have greater upside with many of the top backups than you do with the bad starters.

 

[DoGdr]

I Dropped Lamont Jordan for Turner.

I start 2 and My other RB's are LT, FWP and Gore. i Figure Gore and FWP will share my RB2&3 spots so that gives me good depth.

In Turner I have a top ten back if LT goes down and insurance if he sits. So even though Turner's value for most people is not as high as Jordan (if you needed a starter) he is worth more to me because he protects a major source of points for me. I honestly think Jordan will rebound and put up some ponts later this season (and may have had some trade value) but I still wouldn't have trusted him over Gore and Parker.

Generally i think a certain handcuff for a top guy in a good offense is worth much more that player would be to other teams.

The risks of course is if Rb's 2 amd 3 go down you don't have a starter to play but then again the rb#4 would like have only been a marginal starter anyway.

i have appreciated the input-Thanks