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Top 5 RB Handcuffs ... (1 Viewer)

Chaser1439

Footballguy
Here are my top handcuffs that could be availble on most waiver wires.

1. Benard Pierce

2. Ronnie Hillman

3. Kendal Hunter

4. Mike Tolbert

5. Roy Helu

Guys like Jacquizz Rodgers, Fred Jackson, Andre Ellington, are rostered in most leagues and have already had an immediate impact.

 
Bryce Brown...he would be #1 for me on this list. If Shady were to go down, Brown would be an automatic RB1.

 
Christine Michael and Bryce Brown are the two guys I'd want.
I am not convinced that Michael would play over Turbin.
I agree. The two are practically identical when it comes to their measurables, with Christine maybe being a little faster. The Seahawks drafting Michael in the second round seems to indicate that he is the heir apparent to Lynch. However, I could see Michael and Turbin forming some sort of committee if Lynch were to go down this year.

 
Christine Michael and Bryce Brown are the two guys I'd want.
I am not convinced that Michael would play over Turbin.
I agree. The two are practically identical when it comes to their measurables, with Christine maybe being a little faster. The Seahawks drafting Michael in the second round seems to indicate that he is the heir apparent to Lynch. However, I could see Michael and Turbin forming some sort of committee if Lynch were to go down this year.
I could see that happen. My stance is based upon utilization this season; Turbin has seen touches (albeit limited) in every game this season while all of Michael's touches (9 total) came in the week 3 blowout of the Jags.

If Lynch got injured I don't think Turbin would take all of his workload but I think he gets the lions share. Everything indicates the staff has more confidence in Turbin at this point.

 
Chaka said:
tdhartis said:
Chaka said:
treat88 said:
Christine Michael and Bryce Brown are the two guys I'd want.
I am not convinced that Michael would play over Turbin.
I agree. The two are practically identical when it comes to their measurables, with Christine maybe being a little faster. The Seahawks drafting Michael in the second round seems to indicate that he is the heir apparent to Lynch. However, I could see Michael and Turbin forming some sort of committee if Lynch were to go down this year.
I could see that happen. My stance is based upon utilization this season; Turbin has seen touches (albeit limited) in every game this season while all of Michael's touches (9 total) came in the week 3 blowout of the Jags.If Lynch got injured I don't think Turbin would take all of his workload but I think he gets the lions share. Everything indicates the staff has more confidence in Turbin at this point.
Excellent post. Your logic is sound. Rotoworld contends the opposite based on those blow out carries by Michael.

 
From both a redraft and dynasty standpoint, for me it is:

1) Kendall Hunter

2) Bryce Brown

3) Christine Michael

4) Ben Tate

5) Joique Bell

 
Could certainly work out favoring Turbin. No doubt.

To me, if Lynch went down even if Michael was acting as a change of pace to Turbin initially, he is just that much more talented that he would force the coaches hands fairly quickly.

 
Could certainly work out favoring Turbin. No doubt.

To me, if Lynch went down even if Michael was acting as a change of pace to Turbin initially, he is just that much more talented that he would force the coaches hands fairly quickly.
He looked great in preseason but I am not ready to call him that much more talented and if he can't do the other things at the NFL level, like picking up the blitz and holding onto the ball, then pure rushing talent won't necessarily win out.

 
I'm trying to figure out why everyone is so high on Bryce Brown? Let's take a look at a few things

1. in the preseason, there was talk of him falling behind Polk.

2. in 33 carries this year, he is averaging 2.9 YPC, in contrast, McCoy is averaging 5.1

3.in the games I watch, the guy bounces everything outside.It's almost as if he just takes off towards the sidelines.

We don't yet know about Polk's injury, but I'm not so sure that if healthy, he wouldn't see a healthy amount of touches if McCoy went down.

I feel like the sentiment is that Brown would step right in and be 90% of McCoy in this offense. I personally haven't seen anything yet to indicate he's capable of that.

 
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Christine Michael has only been active in 1 game this year (blowout vs Jags), while Turbin gets regular touches in every game. I think it's pretty clear that Turbin would be getting 50+% at minimum if Lynch was out. Michael may be the eventual replacement to Lynch, but not now.

I think Hillman is flying under the radar. He looks to be the lead dog if/when Moreno gets hurt, and could put up some very startable numbers in that offense. I have him stashed in 1 deep league.

Bernard Pierce probably isn't on most WWs, but could be a decent RB2 w/ Rice out of the picture.

 
Anyone who thinks Michael steps into meaningful reps if Lynch goes down is living out of their head.

No way a Superbowl contending team puts a rookie in there for meaningful snaps regardless of talent running the ball.

See: montee ball.

 
Christine Michael has only been active in 1 game this year (blowout vs Jags), while Turbin gets regular touches in every game. I think it's pretty clear that Turbin would be getting 50+% at minimum if Lynch was out. Michael may be the eventual replacement to Lynch, but not now.

I think Hillman is flying under the radar. He looks to be the lead dog if/when Moreno gets hurt, and could put up some very startable numbers in that offense. I have him stashed in 1 deep league.

Bernard Pierce probably isn't on most WWs, but could be a decent RB2 w/ Rice out of the picture.
Anyone who thinks Michael steps into meaningful reps if Lynch goes down is living out of their head.

No way a Superbowl contending team puts a rookie in there for meaningful snaps regardless of talent running the ball.

See: montee ball.
I really don't think it is anywhere near as clear-cut as this thread is making it. The only reason Turbin is seeing carries is because of his blocking ability on 3rd downs, not because he's some talent holding Michael back.

Some of the media in Seattle believes it would be a relatively even split; others see Turbin as being 70% of a committee. I know a majority of a Seahawks fan site I frequent see Christine Michael as the superior talent and would quickly overtake the Lynch role should he be injured with Turbin maintaining his 3rd down role.

There's a lot of people down on Christine Michael on this board and I'm not sure I completely understand it as he seems like a better pure RB to me. :shrug:

 
I would rate them:

1) Joique. Has already shown terrific talent when given the opportunity. Bush isn't known for durability. LeShoure could be somewhat in the picture of Bush is out for an extended time, but so far has been a nonfactor.

2) Tate. Though he never breaks through, if Foster actually did go down Tate has talent and wouldn't have to share the ball much and Houston seems to have a good run blocking line. Houston's offense is in disarray right now, though.

3) Pierce. Like Tate, Pierce has talent (though maybe not as much) and wouldn't really have to share the ball much. That said, Bal. doesn't look to run block terribly well and the offense overall is out of sorts.

4) Bryce Brown. Showed what he could do when he got his chance last year and Philly is a dynamo offensively. However, he bounces outside a lot, fumbles too much, and C. Polk could eat into his carries.

5) Hunter. Good talent and already productive. Might have to share carries with LaMichael James and Dixon, though.

 
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Christine Michael has only been active in 1 game this year (blowout vs Jags), while Turbin gets regular touches in every game. I think it's pretty clear that Turbin would be getting 50+% at minimum if Lynch was out. Michael may be the eventual replacement to Lynch, but not now.

I think Hillman is flying under the radar. He looks to be the lead dog if/when Moreno gets hurt, and could put up some very startable numbers in that offense. I have him stashed in 1 deep league.

Bernard Pierce probably isn't on most WWs, but could be a decent RB2 w/ Rice out of the picture.
Anyone who thinks Michael steps into meaningful reps if Lynch goes down is living out of their head.

No way a Superbowl contending team puts a rookie in there for meaningful snaps regardless of talent running the ball.

See: montee ball.
I really don't think it is anywhere near as clear-cut as this thread is making it. The only reason Turbin is seeing carries is because of his blocking ability on 3rd downs, not because he's some talent holding Michael back.

Some of the media in Seattle believes it would be a relatively even split; others see Turbin as being 70% of a committee. I know a majority of a Seahawks fan site I frequent see Christine Michael as the superior talent and would quickly overtake the Lynch role should he be injured with Turbin maintaining his 3rd down role.

There's a lot of people down on Christine Michael on this board and I'm not sure I completely understand it as he seems like a better pure RB to me. :shrug:
I have no doubt that Michael is the superior talent. My point is that in the real world, a coach on a Superbowl contending team doesnt put a rookie in there for 50% + of the snaps because he runs the ball better in practice.

 
Christine Michael has only been active in 1 game this year (blowout vs Jags), while Turbin gets regular touches in every game. I think it's pretty clear that Turbin would be getting 50+% at minimum if Lynch was out. Michael may be the eventual replacement to Lynch, but not now.

I think Hillman is flying under the radar. He looks to be the lead dog if/when Moreno gets hurt, and could put up some very startable numbers in that offense. I have him stashed in 1 deep league.

Bernard Pierce probably isn't on most WWs, but could be a decent RB2 w/ Rice out of the picture.
Anyone who thinks Michael steps into meaningful reps if Lynch goes down is living out of their head.

No way a Superbowl contending team puts a rookie in there for meaningful snaps regardless of talent running the ball.

See: montee ball.
I really don't think it is anywhere near as clear-cut as this thread is making it. The only reason Turbin is seeing carries is because of his blocking ability on 3rd downs, not because he's some talent holding Michael back.

Some of the media in Seattle believes it would be a relatively even split; others see Turbin as being 70% of a committee. I know a majority of a Seahawks fan site I frequent see Christine Michael as the superior talent and would quickly overtake the Lynch role should he be injured with Turbin maintaining his 3rd down role.

There's a lot of people down on Christine Michael on this board and I'm not sure I completely understand it as he seems like a better pure RB to me. :shrug:
I have no doubt that Michael is the superior talent. My point is that in the real world, a coach on a Superbowl contending team doesnt put a rookie in there for 50% + of the snaps because he runs the ball better in practice.
Pete Carroll really doesn't follow what I think you consider "real world". I don't think the guy cares about status, money, tenure...he cares about what you show in practice and in games. The main role an active RB (not named Marshawn Lynch) is going to have is as a pass-catching back on 3rd downs. I honestly don't believe Turbin is getting 4 carries a game because he's the 2nd best runner, but I also acknowledge this is my opinion and I (along with basically everyone else) am merely speculating. I'm just really shocked at the folks who are in here basically claiming this as fact. I mean, I really follow the team closely and there hasn't been anything near these statements...ever.

As a Seattle fan, I only hope we don't need to know the answer to this question and Lynch stays healthy all year.

 
Bears have an undrafted rookie that's pretty good in Michael Ford. Not sure Michael Bush would get it all, as Ford is much more Forte-esque. And the Bears offense will be much worse if he's not.

Still think Montee Ball would jump Hillman on an injury to Moreno. Situation is golden, but the CJ Anderson thread would get very busy again.

Noticed Chris Polk got banged up this week, not sure how bad, but he is a threat to Bryce Brown. Brown looked great in the 2 games last year and in the preseason, but he's been miserable running the ball in his backup role this year (33-95 rush, 4-48 rec). Maybe he only turns it on as a starter. :shrug:

Hunter + Dixon + James split likely. Heck, it's already a Gore+Hunter+Dixon split, with Hunter and Dixon poaching 5 TDs. Some but not all of those have been in garbage time. Think they are saving Gore for a playoff run by not using him at the goal-line as much. Has there been any word on Lattimore? Assumed he would skip the year, but I don't think they have IRed him, yet. He was on the NFI list, which I think means he's eligible to come off of it now, like the PUP. So they will have to activate or IR him in the next few weeks. Hunter has to hope Gore lasts that long.

Tolbert's viability as a handcuff depends on if Stewart has gotten healthy or not. His viability in TD only leagues is assured. Next few weeks will decide Stewart's fate. Not practicing yet, but eligible to come off the PUP now. Still having pain in his ankles, which is a pretty bad sign. Says he's going to play, though.

Michael over Turbin, IMO. Turbin's role would increase, but still a fantasy non-factor. Michael could be gold, but it does depend on his blocking/ball handling skills. And I worry Lynch is masking an injured and ineffective line to some extent.

Helu could be even better than Morris (certainly in PPR), because he wouldn't be sitting every 3rd down and every 4th quarter. Royster might usurp the goal-line, short ydg role.

I'm not sure the BAL offense could survive a long term Rice injury, and they are struggling with him as it is. It's not really the RBs as much as it's the O-line, IMO. And Eugene Monroe didn't seem to help last week. Takes time for an O-line to gel, though. Pierce would be solid but I don't think he's a special talent.

1) Bell

2) Tate

3) Helu

4) Hunter

5) Michael

Look to the offensive systems, teams that emphasize the run, with a solid O-line are where the best handcuffs reside. HOU, SF, WAS, SEA. And DET who just throws to their RBs every other play.

 
What about Knile Davis in KC? I don't know much about him but with an injury to JC he'd be next in line in one of the most productive, RB-friendly offenses on the planet. Maybe someone can educate us on Mr. Davis?

 
Just last year everyone was all over Turbin's tip but a rookie flashes against a bunch of UPS drivers and SkyCaps and now Turbin is being treated as a talentless hack.

I agree that Michael looked very good in that limited action but why is everyone so certain that he is the better talent? More importantly; can he hold onto the ball and identify/pick up the blitz?

 
Good lists of handcuffs. Props to all.

One thing I made a mistake on was going heavy on the handcuffs in one of my redraft leagues. I drafted Hillman, Pierce, Tate, J Bell. Now I'm down to just Bell and Tate after dropping Pierce last night. Thing about having too many handcuffs is it really limits your flexibility of your last roster spots to churn and burn waiver wires to find that elusive Keenan Allen type. Even Tate is wearing on me now, if I can't trade him to the Foster owner or someone else, I'm getting ready to dump him too.

 
I drafted Shane Vereen, Ahmad Bradhshaw and Deemarco Murray.

...I'm essentially down to a bunch of handcuffs/RBBC guys.... Joique Bell, Gio Bernard, Roy Helu, and now Joseph Randle ....

Top 5 (if things go bad for the starter) IMO
Bryce Brown
Joique Bell
Roy Helu
Ben Tate
Kendall Hunter

 
Good lists of handcuffs. Props to all.

One thing I made a mistake on was going heavy on the handcuffs in one of my redraft leagues. I drafted Hillman, Pierce, Tate, J Bell. Now I'm down to just Bell and Tate after dropping Pierce last night. Thing about having too many handcuffs is it really limits your flexibility of your last roster spots to churn and burn waiver wires to find that elusive Keenan Allen type. Even Tate is wearing on me now, if I can't trade him to the Foster owner or someone else, I'm getting ready to dump him too.
Hillman was considered the starter week 1 by most. That changed very quickly so people seem to forget that.

 
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Good lists of handcuffs. Props to all.

One thing I made a mistake on was going heavy on the handcuffs in one of my redraft leagues. I drafted Hillman, Pierce, Tate, J Bell. Now I'm down to just Bell and Tate after dropping Pierce last night. Thing about having too many handcuffs is it really limits your flexibility of your last roster spots to churn and burn waiver wires to find that elusive Keenan Allen type. Even Tate is wearing on me now, if I can't trade him to the Foster owner or someone else, I'm getting ready to dump him too.
I'm nearly there with Pierce as well. He provided fill-in production when Rice was out but there have been too many games already this year where their combined production isn't very exciting.

 
Just last year everyone was all over Turbin's tip but a rookie flashes against a bunch of UPS drivers and SkyCaps and now Turbin is being treated as a talentless hack.

I agree that Michael looked very good in that limited action but why is everyone so certain that he is the better talent? More importantly; can he hold onto the ball and identify/pick up the blitz?
I agree. Turbin's name was all over the SP last year as the next great thing but suddenly Michael comes along and everyone wants the shiny new toy. Personally I think both of these guys will share the load as long as Michael doesn't screw up and this will become another RB shared carry mess!

 
Gotta throw Khiry Robinson in here now. Very preemptive if you have the room. If either of Sproles or PT were to miss time he looks pretty nice on a great O. Ingram is out of the picture.

- Sproles goes down, maybe PT moves to the pass catcher/screen RB and Robinson get the rest and GL work?

- PT goes down, Sproles stays as is and Robinson gets the rest and GL work?

If the Saints are up and chewing clock even better regardless.

 
I suspect many of the names in here are not on most waiver wires, but each league differs, so I will just offer my take on the Top 5 RB Handcuffs. I will assume guys like Fred Jackson and Andre Ellington are 1's, or 1b's anyway.

1. Ben Tate. Fantasy owners tend to have short memories, but only a few short weeks ago, there were some claiming Tate was the better back in Houston. He was the best in the league at yards after contact. Then he had some costly fumbles. This offense is going to have to lean on its running attack. If Arian Foster falls to an injury, Tate will pick up where Foster leaves off.

2. Kendall Hunter. I doubt we would see much decline at all if Gore were to get injured. Hunter looks like the real deal. San Francisco, like Houston, is a run-first team, so don't look for that to change even in the event of a Gore injury.

3. Bryce Brown. We have seen what Shady has been able to do in this Chip Kelly offense, and while Brown is not the real McCoy, we saw last season what Brown is capable of. Brown is a little hot and cold, and that concerns me, but when he is hot, he is real hot.

4. Bernard Pierce. There are so few handcuffs who will step in and be an every-down back. Pierce is one of those. His 2.82 ypc average this season does make me take pause, however.

5. Joique Bell. Bell is already producing, but if Bush gets dinged up and the Lions need Bell to carry the rock 20 times a game, he is fully capable.

Also considered:

Helu. Every-down potential, but lacks durability.

Hillman. Moreno runs almost reckless at times, which causes me concern.

Kniles Davis. Run-first team, but I think the jury is still out on Davis.

Donald Brown. With Bradshaw and Ballard already gone, if TRich is also bitten by the injury bug, you may be asking "what can Brown do for you?"

Michael Bush. Every-down back who has demonstrated he can put up quality numbers.

Lance Dunbar. If only he were more durable, this week might have been his opportunity.

 
Just last year everyone was all over Turbin's tip but a rookie flashes against a bunch of UPS drivers and SkyCaps and now Turbin is being treated as a talentless hack.

I agree that Michael looked very good in that limited action but why is everyone so certain that he is the better talent? More importantly; can he hold onto the ball and identify/pick up the blitz?
I agree. Turbin's name was all over the SP last year as the next great thing but suddenly Michael comes along and everyone wants the shiny new toy. Personally I think both of these guys will share the load as long as Michael doesn't screw up and this will become another RB shared carry mess!
I agree that a time share would be the likely scenario but I see Turbin as the lead in that time share.

 
I'm interested to see what the offense looks like in Minnesota once Freeman takes the reigns. Gerhart has been effective albeit unexciting with the few touches he's has this season. You gotta assume that offense continues to run the ball quite a bit should AP go down, which is more than can be said for a lot of these options. If Forte up and moves to Mongolia, for example, I don't think Bush just takes all of those carries. They probably convert to more of a passing offense. Bush and Forte have very different styles.

 
I would say in most of the leagues I'm in (7) the majority of these guys are on the WW. Joique tends to be the least un-rostered, though even he is in the one ten-teamer I'm in. They're starting to hit the wire with injuries and byes pressuring rosters. Bryce isn't rostered in any of my leagues (the rest are 12-teamers).

 
The thing is these guys are all good, there's not much debate about that. It's all about opportunity and balancing risk vs reward. Keeping a Bryce Brown or a Roy Helu on the bench all year when currently valuable guys could be there.

It just boggles my mind to think any given week we are 1 injury away from potentially having an RB1 on our rosters basically for free..

I value Joique Bell and Roy Helu the most, hence why they are on my bench. These two can have a decent game even only getting 5-6 touches.

 
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It is all about the potential upside. I'm beginning to question Kendall Hunter's dynasty potential. Lattimore is lurking. Would SF ever lean on him heavily at under 200 lbs coming off of ACL surgery? If Gore goes down Hunter would lead a committee and not get goal line carries.

 
Anyone who thinks Michael steps into meaningful reps if Lynch goes down is living out of their head.

No way a Superbowl contending team puts a rookie in there for meaningful snaps regardless of talent running the ball.

See: montee ball.
See also: Eddie Lacy?

 
1-Joice Bell

2-Knile Davis

3-Roy Helu Jr.

4-Bernard Pierce

5-John Franklin

5a-Andre Ellington

Hoping Ellington was worth the stash for day such as today!

 
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1-Joice Bell

2-Knile Davis

3-Roy Helu Jr.

4-Bernard Pierce

5-John Franklin

5a-Andre Ellington

Hoping Ellington was worth the stash for day such as today!
I am not sure he becomes a workhorse, or even a 60% touch guy if something happens to Lacy. I think Starks probably steps into the ground-n-pound, goal line role taking the majority of touches and Franklin would stay in a COP role.

 
I hear that but Starks can't stay healthy and Franklin is being worked into the passing game now with all of the receiver injuries.

 
I hear that but Starks can't stay healthy and Franklin is being worked into the passing game now with all of the receiver injuries.
I can't speak to how long he will remain healthy but I believe he will be the workhorse if something happens to Lacy and Franklin will remain in his current role.

 
What do you guys think about Montee Ball? Is Hillman in the doghouse the rest of the year now due to his fumble against Indy?

 

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