(Hand)cuffing Season: Pick Up These Undervalued Backup RBs

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To handcuff is to sign the player directly behind your fantasy stud on the team depth chart.

A successful handcuff looks like an astute fantasy manager taking a risk on Melvin Gordon early in their draft, then drafting Austin Ekeler before anyone else would even think of him.

At worst, a handcuff is simply peace of mind. At best, they’re a league-winner, a la Nick Chubb last year. Hyde left Cleveland via trade but was the lead back starter nonetheless.

Right now is the time to cut ties with mediocre players whose seat on your bench is being saved only by the occasional what if?

What if Adam Humphries is ACTUALLY good?

Nope, cut ties with Adam Humphries, Mecole Hardman and whomever else you drafted too high in August and pick up the backups to your two best running backs. Now.

Chances are Chase Edmonds, Rashaad Penny, Jamaal Williams, Royce Freeman and Latavius Murray are already owned. If not, go grab them. If so, here are five undervalued backup running backs you should sign right away.

Alexander Mattison

His being owned in less than 18 percent of ESPN leagues is infuriating. Or awesome, if you have Dalvin Cook. Mattison checks all the boxes: he’s been on the brink of standalone value, his team runs a ton –Dalvin Cook is top 5 in rushing attempts — and to top it all off he’s a shiny young rookie with a body built to handle an NFL workload (5-foot-11, 221 lbs).

Ryquell Armstead

Armstead is owned in less than two percent of ESPN leagues, yet he’s the backup to Leonard Fournette, who leads the NFL in rushing attempts. The point of handcuffing isn’t to find the most talented back, it’s to find the highest potential workload. Armstead fits the bill.

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Tony Pollard

Pollard had a HOT minute of going super high in fantasy drafts, right up until Zeke ended the holdout. Zeke is fourth in the NFL in rushing attempts, the Cowboys have a good offensive line and Pollard would surely be in line for a humongous workload if Zeke missed a game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBzvS3c7jNQ

Gus Edwards

This is a gut call. He’s owned less than fellow Ravens backup, rookie Justice Hill, but if Ingram were out of the picture, Edwards’ recent workload implies he’s in for at least half the team’s carries. Not to mention last year we saw the Gus Bus absolutely STEAMROLL for a few weeks.

Ty Montgomery

He’s only 26, yet feels thoroughly immortal. Wasn’t he a receiver on the Packers for like, years? Regardless, Montgomery’s preseason hype was high enough some people were predicting a timeshare to start the season. Those were silly predictions but believing he is in line for 20 touches per game if Bell goes down is not.