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
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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
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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.