Injuries have long been the unpredictable engine that can reshape a fantasy roster, and running backs are especially vulnerable to a single hit that can open the door for a backup to become a starter.
The upside of late‑round handcuffs
Blake Corum emerged as a top‑10 RB handcuff for the Los Angeles Rams after posting 746 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 2025, a steep rise from his 2024 total of 207 yards.
Kyle Monangai, the Chicago Bears’ rookie RB2, logged 783 yards and five touchdowns last season, including two 130‑yard outings that highlighted his breakout potential.
Kenny Gainwell, who previously delivered 537 rushing yards and 486 receiving yards with eight touchdowns for the Steelers, now joins the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where his pass‑catching skill set could make him a weekly starter.
Braelon Allen of the New York Jets managed only 76 rushing yards and a single touchdown in four games during 2025, but a full recovery and the lingering injury concerns surrounding Breece Hall give the late‑round pick a clear path to increased workload.
Woody Marks of the Houston Texans recorded 703 rushing yards and 208 receiving yards in 2025, positioning him as a potential beneficiary if veteran RB1 David Montgomery’s durability limits his own snap count.
Because the value of a handcuff often hinges on the health of the starter, savvy managers target players who combine proven production with a clear path to a larger role, especially when they can be drafted in the later rounds.
Veteran depth such as Kyren Williams, D’Andre Swift, and Bucky Irving also remains on the radar, though their immediate impact is less certain, underscoring the breadth of options available to managers seeking insurance at the running back position.