As is common with the fantasy football running back position, names of running backs that you’ve never heard of will occasionally pop up in your “roster trends” feed all season long. 

When it came to Denver Broncos’ backfield this preseason, the RBs most talked about as Javonte Williams’ handcuffs were Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime. 

 

 

 

Well, there’s another Broncos RB who has made his presence known to fantasy football managers far and wide since his eye-opening Week 4 performance, and we’ll touch on him here in our 2024 Week 4 RB Handcuff Report.

Fantasy Football NFL Week 4 Running Back Handcuff Report

Based on the way Williams’ season has been going (2.2 YPC) maybe the Broncos would have been better off if they had cut him this preseason. Based on his percentage of offensive snaps played Williams has been the Broncos’ primary back this season with McLaughlin also rotating in. 

Unfortunately, McLaughlin has thus far failed to live up to all of his preseason hype (2.22 YPC). Estime was considered a sleeper to eventually carve out a larger role for himself in the Broncos backfield but he landed on short term IR and isn’t eligible to return to action until Week 6 due to an ankle injury. 

That leads us to Tyler Badie, who despite having only played 16 snaps so far this season, leads all Broncos RBs with 86 rushing yards. Badie was called up from the Broncos’ practice squad after the Estime injury and has since been signed to their active roster. 

Williams’ above average pass protection skills may save him from losing too much playing time for now. However, if Badie continues to produce like he did in Week 3 he might leapfrog over McLaughlin and become Williams’ Fantasy Football Week 4 Running Back Handcuff. If Williams and McLaughlin continue to struggle Badie might even eventually take over as the Broncos’ primary back. 

With Broncos head coach Sean Payton seemingly content with managing a two RB rotation, but not a three headed monster, either McLaughlin or Williams could see their roles drastically reduced.

 

 

 

How To Find The Best RB Handcuffs

Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon’s (ankle) Week 4 availability is still uncertain as this article is being written. He’s considered week to week but Dameon Pearce (hamstring), his original handcuff, has a chance to suit up on Sunday. 

Watch his progress because if Pearce does play, he’ll likely split early down carries with Cam Akers.  Dare Ogunbawale would once again play the majority of the team’s passing downs in Week 4. It sounds like the Texans’ backfield will be unusable for fantasy in Week 4. 

Kansas City Chiefs RB Carson “Crocodile” Steele was the team’s primary early down back in Week 3 but it will be interesting to note how much, if any, playing time Kareem Hunt will get in Week 4. 

Samaje Perine will likely continue to get most of the passing down work in Week 4 but Clyde Edwards Helaire, who is eligible to be reinstated from the IR after Week 4, could further complicate this backfield’s depth chart in the coming weeks. 

Zach Charbonnet proved that he is an extremely valuable Fantasy Football Week 4 Running Back Handcuff with his performance against a bad Miami Dolphins run defense. He scored two rushing TDs and rushed for 91 yards (5.1 YPC) in Week 3. Kenneth Walker’s Week 4 availability is still uncertain as this article is being written.

If he’s inactive you can start Charbonnet in season long leagues, but don’t expect the same type of production that you got from him in Week 3. Unfortunately, he’s got a very tough matchup against a very good Detroit Lions run defense. If you have a better option in Week 4 you might want to use it. 

Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (concussion), who is Brian Robinson’s handcuff, has already been ruled out ahead of his Week 4 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Jeremy McNichols will almost certainly be Robinson Jr.’s Fantasy Football Week 4 Running Back Handcuff.

 

 

 

Top 5 RB Handcuffs Ahead Of NFL Week 4

Jonathan Brooks, Carolina Panthers

Chuba Hubbard and his current Fantasy Football Week 4 Running Back Handcuff, Miles Sanders, may be nearing the end of their 2024 fantasy football relevancy. Brooks is eligible to be reinstated from the IR following Week 4. According to Panthers beat writer Sheena Quick Brooks (torn ACL) sounds like he’s getting close to getting back on a football field. If by chance he’s on your league’s waiver wire, scoop him up now!

Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers

With the news that Christian McCaffrey was in Germany last weekend and may be looking to have his stem cells cultured so that he could avoid surgery to treat his Achilles tendonitis, it’s time to consider that McCaffrey could miss a big chunk of the season. Some of this (the stem cell part) seems like its speculation, but if you haven’t yet handcuffed your shares of Jordan Mason, what are you waiting for?

Jamaal Williams, New Orleans Saints

With the news that Alvin Kamara missed practice on Wednesday due to injured ribs and a hip pointer, Williams should be on your radar for Week 4. Kamara’s offensive snaps percentage played has been steadily increasing since Week 1 and topped out at 86% in Week 3. It was certainly worth mentioning to keep an eye on this developing situation in this 2024 Week 4 RB Handcuff Report.

Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears

We kind of knew it was coming but Johnson will have an expanded role in Week 4. With D’Andre Swift only gaining 1.8 YPC in 37 rushing attempts this season “da Bears” had to make a change. Johnson is a Fantasy Football Week 4 Running Back Handcuff that can quickly become a primary back if he has some success. It’s not going to be easy for him considering he’ll have a bad offensive line trying to create holes for him.

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Irving was on our list last week but with another ugly performance from Rachaad White against the Broncos in Week 3, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles told us what we all already knew. Irving “earned more snaps going forward.” That quote has been widely reported but if you want to hear Bowles wiggle his way out of actually naming Irving as his primary back check this out.