2011 Fantasy Football Handcuff Picks

Fantasy Handcuff pick: A player with good potential and high risk. Players in this category are usually backups to high profile running backs. It is unlikely that they will score a lot of points, but if the starter goes down they'll be a safe start for at least a few weeks. It is important to draft these players to hedge the bet on your starting RB getting injured. From our Fantasy Football Dictionary

We have classified the following players as fantasy handcuff picks for 2011. We will be updating this list throughout the pre-season.

Name	Pos	Team	Age	Yrs Exp.	Pos. Rank
Michael Bush	RB	OAK	27	4	RB - #27
Contrary to conventional wisdom, Bush's stock actually went up during McFadden's breakout year. Oakland's commitment to the ground attack meant that there were more than enough carries to keep both backs busy. And when the Raiders' top option couldn't answer the call, Bush proved to be a more-than-capable second choice. His two 100-yard games in 2010 both came whil... Read More
Anthony Dixon	RB	SF	24	1	RB - #86
Dixon had ample chance to showcase himself during the final weeks of the season with Frank Gore sidelined, but the rookie's performance was underwhelming. Sharing time as the power complement to Brian Westbrook's finesse, Dixon averaged fewer than four yards per carry down the stretch and failed to score a single touchdown after Week 12. Westbrook is a free agent n... Read More
Toby Gerhart	RB	MIN	24	1	RB - #70
The 2010 2nd round selection posted serviceable stats in the one start in his rookie season as he had 16 carries for 77 yards against Chicago in week 15. The 6'1, 237 pounder is nothing more than a handcuff for AP owners as he amassed only 62 carries in the 14 games started by Peterson last season. ... Read More
Jamie Harper	RB	TEN	22	R	Unranked
Harper ran for 760 yards and had 10 touchdowns during his junior season (12 games - six starts). The dual talented RB also added 31 catches for 308 yards and three touchdowns. The 4th round pick from Clemson is a Mike Tolbert (San Diego) clone measuring at 5-11, 233 pounds. His pass catching ability is labeled as above average, giving Harper a legit chance to emerg... Read More
Rashad Jennings	RB	JAX	26	2	Unranked
When you have a horse like MJD on your team, the other running backs don't see the ball all that often; this was the case for most of the year with Rashad Jennings. In spot duty last year (when MJD couldn't go), Jennings was able to rush for 459 yards on only 84 carries; he also had another 223 yards receiving. Jennings has shown flashes that he could play in the N... Read More
Thomas Jones	RB	KC	33	11	RB - #59
The Chiefs had a two headed monster in the backfield last season and it looks like the same monster may be lurking. It would be difficult to argue any other team having a better one-two punch than the Chiefs. Charles carrying the ball 230 times for 1,467 yards and Jones with 245 carries for 896 yards is just an outstanding tandem. From a fan perspective, what the C... Read More
Isaac Redman	RB	PIT	27	2	RB - #47
The 6 foot 230 pound back has ideal size for the red zone and adequate receiving skills, giving him a chance at securing a 3rd down role. The Bowie State alum averaged an impressive 4.8 YPC carry in limited action in 2010 (52 carries for 247 yards). Mewelde Moore is a free agent and Redman's improvement in pass protection makes him the likely handcuff to own for th... Read More
Javon Ringer	RB	TEN	25	2	RB - #55
The Michigan State alum served as Johnson's backup in his 2nd NFL season and finished with pedestrian stats. The 5'9, 205 pounder finished 2010 with 51 carries for 239 yards (4.7 YPC) with 2 TDs. Mel Kiper labeled Ringer as the best RB in the 2009 draft after he finished 7th on MSU's all purpose yardage list with 4,311 yards. Tennessee drafted Clemson RB Jamie Harp... Read More
Jacquizz Rodgers	RB	ATL	22	R	RB - #56
Michael Turner's health concerns are well documented, which makes Jacquizz Rodgers a worthy handcuff this season. While Jason Snelling would likely get the first crack at the starting job if Turner were to go down for an extended period of time, Rodgers is an intriguing rookie to keep an eye on. Atlanta envisioned Rodgers as a change of pace back when they drafted ... Read More
Jason Snelling	RB	ATL	28	4	RB - #67
Snelling's fantasy value is directly related to the health of Michael Turner. Prior to last season, Atlanta talked about how they wanted to limit Turner and cut back the number of carries he received. Guess what? It didn't happen. Turner still carried the ball 334 times last season. Snelling is a must own for fantasy owners of Turner based on the history of the sit... Read More
Ben Tate	RB	HOU	23	1	RB - #39
In the 2010 draft when the Texans used their second round pick -- 58th overall -- to select Ben Tate, I thought he would become their starting back by season's end. The Texans' running game struggled in 2009 and there was little reason to believe Tate wouldn't assume the starting job at some point in the season. The next thing we know Tate breaks an ankl... Read More
Chester Taylor	RB	ARI	32	9	RB - #91
Chester Taylor is a fantasy handcuff for Matt Forte. However, with that said, Taylor has shown that he can be a productive back in this league. I personally feel that Taylor could greatly assist Chicago's running game with change of pace and the passing game. Hopefully, Cutler and the offensive coordinators realize that Forte and the receiving core can benefit from... Read More
Carnell Williams	RB	STL	29	6	RB - #68
Williams may not have much left, but at least he's a step up from the dismal former cast of supporting running backs St. Louis has been relying on over the past few seasons. If Jackson goes down, Williams will handle the load. ... Read More