
League-Winners in Waiting for Fantasy Football
Every fantasy season delivers chaos. Star running backs go down, and suddenly, the manager who stashed the right handcuff takes control of the league. Whether you’re looking for insurance on your starter or a late-round lottery ticket, these five handcuffs carry the kind of upside that can turn a solid team into a championship contender.
Here are the Top 5 RB handcuffs for 2025, based on talent, opportunity, and proven production potential if the starter misses time.
5. Braelon Allen — New York Jets
Starter: Breece Hall
Why Draft Him:
With no Aaron Rodgers, the Jets’ offense may rely even more on the ground game in 2025. That gives Braelon Allen, the 235-pound rookie, a path to real value. He’s built for red-zone and early-down usage, and if Breece Hall misses time, Allen could easily step into a lead-back role. The offense might not be elite, but the touch volume and touchdown potential make Allen a sneaky fantasy stash.
4. Trey Benson — Arizona Cardinals
Starter: James Conner
Why Draft Him:
James Conner remains productive—but he’s missed games in nearly every season of his career. Trey Benson is a young, explosive back who could take over in an instant. The Cardinals’ offense, led by Kyler Murray, continues to improve, and Benson fits perfectly as a big-play threat. He’s the kind of player who could go from bench stash to fantasy RB2 by midseason.
3. Ray Davis — Buffalo Bills
Starter: James Cook
Why Draft Him:
Davis carved out a role as a red-zone and short-yardage specialist in 2024, and now he’s firmly entrenched behind James Cook. In an offense still captained by Josh Allen, touchdown chances and scoring drives are abundant. If Cook goes down, Davis could take on a full workload in a high-scoring system, giving him RB2 or better upside with little competition behind him.
2. Isaac Guerendo — San Francisco 49ers
Starter: Christian McCaffrey
Why Draft Him:
Christian McCaffrey is the gold standard—but he’s entering his age-29 season. Isaac Guerendo, a 4.3-speed rookie out of Louisville, is now the clear No. 2 in Kyle Shanahan’s run-friendly offense. With Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason out of the picture, Guerendo steps into one of the most valuable backup roles in fantasy. He’s a must-draft insurance policy for CMC managers, and a premium stash for everyone else.
1. Zach Charbonnet — Seattle Seahawks
Starter: Kenneth Walker III
Why Draft Him:
This one’s simple: when Kenneth Walker was hurt last season, Zach Charbonnet produced. He averaged nearly 18 fantasy points per game in Walker’s absence, showing he can handle 20+ touches and contribute as a pass-catcher. With a full season in Seattle’s evolving offense under new OC Clint Kubiak, Charbonnet is poised to dominate if given the starting job. He’s the top handcuff in fantasy football for 2025.
Final Thoughts:
Running back handcuffs aren’t just bench fillers—they’re lottery tickets with real paths to value. If you want to build a championship roster, you need to invest in a few of these guys late in your draft.