If you're looking for a championship-tested fantasy football draft approach, look no further than handcuffing your running backs. It's a time-tested formula that's been a staple of my championship-winning fantasy football success, year after year, for over twenty years. 

What is handcuffing, and why does it succeed, as well as the top three running back handcuffs you'll need to make a top priority in your 2025 fantasy football drafts, will all be detailed below.

 

What Is Handcuffing?

Handcuffing is a simple yet astute approach. You take an early starting running back and then, perhaps some rounds down the road, take his backup.

 The idea is to insure your investment in a quality player by obtaining the player who would take over the starter position if the main back got injured or didn't play. It's an insurance policy roster fantasy, guaranteeing you ownership of a team's ground game in the event of disaster.

But handcuffing is not a universal approach. Not all running backs have an adequate handcuff, and not all systems of teams permit this play. You need to attack specific parameters in order to make it work.

 

The Criteria for Successful Handcuffing

To handcuff a running back effectively, you need to invest money in the system, not personnel. Here's what to do:

  • Run-Heavy Offense: The offense must have a run-oriented philosophy with high rushing usage.
  • Bell Cow Back: The feature running back must receive the lion's share of the workload, with minimal sharing of carries. Although they might come out of the game occasionally, the backfield is decidedly theirs.
  • Capable Backup: The backup has to be able to do the entire workload if the starter gets injured. That means they shouldn't be a situational player who hands off snaps to a short-yardage specialist or third-down pass-catcher.

If you can find such a team and players, you're laying the groundwork for fantasy greatness. Let's get to my top three running back handcuffs for the 2025 NFL season.

 

Top 3 RB Handcuffs for 2025

Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet (Seattle Seahawks)

Seattle Seahawks, with new OC Clint Kubiak, will employ a run-dominant, run-first attack in 2025. Kenneth Walker is the clear head back, holding onto the lion's share of the work on this high-volume rushing attack. Injuries can always occur, though, and that's when Zach Charbonnet enters the picture.

Charbonnet is a skilled backup who can handle the entire load if Walker suffers an injury. He's already demonstrated he can fill in and do the job, and Kubiak's offense keeps the running back position productive no matter who gets the touches. Draft Walker as your RB1 or RB2, and then add Charbonnet on the backend to round out Seattle's backfield.

Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo (San Francisco 49ers)

Christian McCaffrey is the 49ers' offense's soul and center, a bell cow if ever there were one who absorbs an ungodly workload. Run-heavy Kyle Shanahan-scheme 49ers dump touches on McCaffrey, and he is a fantasy first-round pick. However, injuries have kept him sidelined from time to time, so his backup, Isaac Guerendo, is a key handcuff.

The 49ers cut Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason, making Guerendo the definitive No. 2. When McCaffrey was out last year, Guerendo carried the entire load with fantastic results. If you're going to draft McCaffrey early, be sure to take Guerendo late to protect your investment in one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL.

De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright (Miami Dolphins)

De'Von Achane operates a run-dominant team in Miami under the guidance of head coach Mike McDaniel. While McDaniel prefers to cycle running backs to maintain legs, Achane is the bell cow and gets most of the reps. Achane's past and lean build make Jaylen Wright a perfect handcuff as the backup.

If Achane goes down, Wright is ready to step into a significant role. Think back to Raheem Mostert’s breakout a couple of seasons ago—Wright has similar potential to explode in Miami’s high-octane offense. Pair Achane with Wright in your draft, and you’ll have the Dolphins’ backfield locked down, ready to deliver fantasy points all season long.

 

Why Handcuffing Wins Championships

Handcuffing isn't solely injury prevention; it's roster maximization. When you acquire a backup who can project (or reasonably approximate) the starter's output, you're hedging against losing a quality asset while retaining ownership of a quality offense unit. It's particularly crucial in modern-day NFL, where running back injuries are rampant and workload is concentrated into a few key guys.

In addition, handcuffing provides you with trade flexibility. If your first running back remains healthy, you may be able to trade the backup to a struggling manager whose running back was injured. Or, if the backup begins receiving more touches because of a committee system, you've got a flex option or trading piece.

 

How to Incorporate Handcuffing in Your Draft

In order to handcuff your running backs, you must do the following:

  1. Hit the Right RBs Early: Hit running backs in run-first systems with established backups. Walker, McCaffrey, and Achane top the group.
  2. Wait for the Backup: Don't pick up the handcuff prematurely. Charbonnet, Guerendo, and Wright are normally available in the double-digit rounds, so you can establish depth elsewhere first.
  3. Prioritize Your Starters' Handcuffs: If you're drafting multiple top running backs, prioritize their backups ahead of lottery ticket sleepers on the backend of rounds.
  4. Stay on Top of the Depth Chart: Backups will be decided by preseason and training camp. Keep tabs on injuries, depth chart adjustments, and coaching tendencies.
 

Final Thoughts

Handcuffing your running backs is a proven strategy that can elevate your fantasy football team from contender to champion. By targeting players like Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo, and De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright, you’re investing in high-volume, run-first systems that deliver consistent fantasy production. 

Don’t leave your draft without securing these critical backups—they could be the difference between a playoff berth and a championship trophy.

For further expert advice, rankings, and draft guidance, head over to the Fantasy Alarm NFL Draft Guide. Here's to crushing the 2025 season and claiming that championship!