This is the 2017 Fantasy Football Handcuff Report. In this article I will be listing the positional depth chart of the running back, wide receiver and tight end for all 32 NFL teams. The purpose of this article will be to highlight players who could be pushing for more handoffs or targets in an offense and become useful additions to your fantasy roster. I will highlight a few players each week that are making the biggest impact and I will be updating the grid as needed over the course of the season.
Running Backs
Top Handcuffs
Tevin Coleman, ATL- Coleman and starter Devonta Freeman share the backfield in Atlanta with Freeman getting most of the early down work and Coleman typically used in passing situations or as a change of pace back. Coleman is immediately useful in PPR formats but those in standard leagues should take notice as well given Freeman’s injury history and the fact that he has already suffered a concussion during the preseason.
Derrick Henry, TEN- Henry is likely the most notable handcuff to own heading into this season as many expect his role to expand in the offseason with the potential that he overtakes starting running back DeMarco Murray. As a rookie in 2016 Henry rushed for 490 yards and five touchdowns while adding 13 catches for 137 yards in the passing game.
Joe Mixon, CIN- Jeremy Hill might be listed as the No.1 running back in Cincinnati for the time being but rookie Joe Mixon figures to take over that role quickly given his playmaking ability and the fact that the Bengals used a second round pick on the talented back this offseason. Hill will likely continue to see goal line touches but Mixon is the man to own in this backfield.
Rex Burkhead, NE- By all accounts Mike Gillislee figures to be the Patriots lead running back this season but injuries during training camp have set Gillislee back and head coach Bill Belichik was quoted as saying he still had a lot to prove while he got up to speed with the New England offense. Burkhead looked good this preseason and many Patriots fans will liken him to Danny Woodhead who while in New England was an underappreciated ball carrier and a great receiving back. Burkhead could steal early down work from Gillislee given his well-rounded skillset.
Wide Receiver
Top Handcuffs
J.J. Nelson, ARI- While the No.1 receiver job is on lock by Larry Fitzgerald there is a chance for Nelson to leap John Brown as the No.2 receiving option in Arizona. In 2016 Nelson caught 34 passes for 568 yards and six touchdowns. Like Brown, Nelson is a big play threat as he averages 19.3 yards per catch over his two-year career with the Cardinals. Carson Palmer still has a big arm and loves to throw deep so even as a No.3 receiver Nelson still has some value in deeper formats. John Brown’s injury history and relative inconsistencies could have him on the outside looking in if he does not get off to a strong start to his season.
Danny Amendola, NE- The injury to Julian Edelman has opened the question as who in the Patriots passing attack has the most to gain from this injury. Brandin Cooks is an obvious answer given that he is now the No.1 receiver on this team but many fantasy owners are now in a rush to grab Chris Hogan as the next man up in the Patriots offense. While Hogan was solid last season as a deep threat for New England he plays on the outside whereas Edelman was the team’s slot receiver. With that said I am a believer in Danny Amendola as the receiver with the most to gain from this injury. In 2015 when Edelman got injured Amendola stepped in and averaged eight catches on 11 targets for 76 yards in his absence. There’s a chance come Thursday that Amendola is actually the No.2 receiver in this offense and is likely floating around the wavier wire in your league.
Randall Cobb, GB- Injuries plagued Cobb in 2016 and they opened the door for Davante Adams to finally have his breakout season. Entering 2017 Cobb finds himself going much later in fantasy drafts than Adams and while neither can compete with Jordy Nelson for the No.1 receiver spot I do think there will be a battle for the No.2 role IF Cobb is capable of staying healthy as he lines up in the slot for Green Bay’s pass heavy offense.
Tight End
Top Handcuffs
Dwayne Allen, NE- In a surprising move the Colts traded Dwayne Allen to the Patriots this offseason where he will serve as top backup to the league’s top rated tight end in Rob Gronkowski. Of course Gronks reputation around the league isn’t just for his incredible play on the field but also his unfortunate injury history that has cut short quite a few seasons with New England. If Gronk goes down once again Allen becomes the No.1 tight end in a pass heavy offense.
Vernon Davis, WAS- After years of being an elite tight end for the 49ers Davis had seemingly disappeared from fantasy relevance during the 2014 and 2015 fantasy seasons but in 2016 he bounced back in Washington, thanks in part to the Redskins starting tight end Jordan Reed getting injury. Davis caught 44 passes for 583 yards and two scores last season and should Reed find himself injured once again in 2017 he will become a popular tight end to own given his TE1 upside.
David Njoku, CLE- The Browns drafted Njoku with the 29th pick in the first round this year but currently have the talented rookie listed as their No.3 tight end on the depth chart. Given his immense upside I assume Njoku will eventually overtake the starting tight end role in Cleveland once he gets a bit more acclimated to their offense but until then he is just a player to have on your watch list.
Player News
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala says free agent QB Aaron Rodgers “is not going to play just for the sake of playing.”
Kinkhabwala has had conversations with Rodgers and executives around the league trying to sign him. Based on those conversations, she says, “it’s extremely clear Rodgers is not going to play just for the sake of playing.” He remains unsigned with the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon and multiple teams needing quarterback help. The Steelers are the most likely fit, but it seems Rodgers won’t force it if he does not find a good fit. This explains why Rodgers has been interested in the Vikings and has not yet signed. The 41-year-old may be headed for retirement if a situation he prefers, like the Vikings, does not want him back. His options remain limited and Rodgers may call it a career if he still does not like his options later in the offseason.
Bears signed LB T.J. Edwards to a two-year, $20 million extension.
Edwards’ extension includes $16.6 million guaranteed. The Bears originally signed him to a three-year, $19.5 million contract two seasons ago and he has outplayed that salary. Edwards has four interceptions, 6.5 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss in two seasons starting for Chicago in the middle of the field. He gets a raise as the Bears lock up another important part of their defense after extending CB Kyler Gordon earlier in the week.
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams visited the Falcons on Wednesday.
Williams posted on his Instagram that he visited the Falcons facility on what was the last day of pre-draft visits. The 20-year-old is a Georgia native, played at the University of Georgia, and is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Falcons have a need for an edge rusher and hold the No. 15 pick. They may look to keep Williams in-state and add his skillset to their pass-rushing group. Williams tallied five sacks last season and has explosive production for any team looking to add an edge rusher in the first round.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart “won’t fall out of the first round.”
Schultz reports his sources are indicating that Dart will not fall out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He continues that the Giants are a candidate to trade up from pick No. 34 into the first round to take Dart if they do not take a quarterback at pick No. 3. The Saints are also an option with pick No. 9 or a trade up from pick No. 40. Dart is generally considered the third quarterback to come off the board after Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, so a team in need of a franchise quarterback may take a chance on him after Ward and Sanders are selected. Teams could look to gain a fifth-year option on Dart and trade into the first round if he is not taken earlier.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Raiders LT Kolton Miller is not participating in the voluntary offseason program and seeks an extension.
Miller was the Raiders’ first-round pick in 2018 and has started 107 games over seven seasons for the team. He is set to enter the final year of his current contract in 2025, making $12.25 million. Though he is not technically holding out yet since the offseason program is voluntary, Fowler notes Miller is seeking an extension. He finished last season with an 80.6 PFF grade, No. 14 among offensive tackles. Miller has been the Raiders’ franchise left tackle for seven years now and both sides will certainly discuss an extension as training camp nears.
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten said he had a private workout with the Commanders’ running backs coach.
Tuten didn’t name him directly, but Anthony Lynn is currently the Commanders’ running backs coach and run game coordinator. The Commanders were hampered by injuries to both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler last year. Robinson Jr. missed three games and played through some of his injuries while Ekeler missed five contests and was limited to just 112 touches. Tuten crushed the combine with a 4.32 Forty at 5'9/206. He handled 200 touches in back-to-back seasons at Virginia Tech while topping 1,100 yards from scrimmage in both campaigns. He would offer the Washington backfield a good mix of durability and home run potential.