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Many fantasy football managers continue to fade the top options at running back in the early rounds, instead opting to deploy strategies including Zero-RB, where you punt the position for at least four rounds or through the top 20 or so options at average draft position (ADP).

Regardless of whether you’re trying Zero-RB, Hero RB (one major RB drafted in the first half of the draft), or Robust RB (old-school approach of going heavy on the position), knowing the backups to chase and stash in your draft and on the waiver wire is a necessary step.

Enter the fantasy RB handcuff grid, where we track depth chart movement among every NFL backfield and itemize how it influences each team’s fantasy football backfield picture during the season.

Keep scrolling to see where every NFL running back group stands. We will update this every week throughout the season. 

Fantasy Football RB Handcuffs Depth Chart

Here’s the key for symbols used in the fantasy NFL RB handcuffs grid:

• Fantasy RB1: The top back in name for that team’s backfield
• Top Handcuff: The likely next in line should an injury or coach’s decision remove the RB1. Though it’s not always a direct replacement of role, this column lists the best bet to have more volume in place of the established RB1.
• Sleepers & Role Players: The first name(s) listed are the most intriguing dart throws in the backfield if you need to dig deeper.
• (co): Committee
• WW: Waiver-wire pickup this week
• 🏥: Injured

Updated Oct. 10:

2025 RB handcuff rankings: Top 50 backs to add or stash

This Top 50 list of the best backup running backs to draft may include some overlap from ongoing RB competitions, but this ideally would be a list of direct backups to draft or pick up off the waiver wire.

Assume PPR value for these handcuffs, but the rankings can be considered universal.

RB handcuff fantasy news Week 6

• Bucky Irving is expected to miss more time, but has not been placed on IR. This is why Rachaad White still counts as a handcuff and is top of the list for Week 6. 
• Omarion Hampton is being placed on IR; Hassan Haskins should be the RB1 and is not considered a handcuff for the foreseeable future. 
• Michael Carter is the clear RB1, especially after Emari Demercado’s critical mistake in Week 5. 
• Chuba Hubbard is out for Week 6. Rico Dowdle is the clear top handcuff against the Dallas Cowboys.
• Tyrone Tracy returned and is seemingly the RB2 behind Skattebo. 
• Jaylen Warren is set to return in Week 6, making Kenneth Gainwell the RB2 once again. 

See which RB handcuff pickups we recommend in our Week 6 waiver wire.

What is a fantasy football handcuff running back?

Handcuff RBs are extremely valuable in fantasy football leagues. They are backup running backs for real-life NFL teams who would be in line to produce big fantasy stats should the starting RB suffer an injury, be the target of negative a coach’s decision for playing time, or miss games for any other reason.

Therefore, drafting these handcuff running backs in the middle and late rounds of fantasy drafts — and targeting them on the fantasy waiver wire — is a popular, proactive move that could increase your chances at making your league’s playoffs and maybe win a fantasy title.

For example, take top-ranked running back Bijan Robinson for the Atlanta Falcons. Should he suffer an injury and miss time his backup is Tyler Allgeier. 

Due to his skill set — a big, bruising back who’s also mobile — and his head coach Raheem Morris’ high opinion of his performance, Allgeier would be in line to assume a volumnious workload for every game Robinson misses.

Lucking into situations like this requires preparation, which means drafting and adding (“stashing”) running backs who could explode in value with an increased opportunity.

Paying attention to these RB handcuff rankings provides fantasy players with opportunities to improve their teams with forward-thinking player strategy.