It’s that time of year when the loss of an RB1 can make or break your title prospects. So in this edition of Free Agent Friday, I’ll walk through some mostly unrostered handcuff RBs who you should roster if you have their team’s starter:
Benny Cunningham (backup to Toddy Gurley) – I drafted Cunningham in my league in case Gurley got hurt. Then I dropped him two weeks later to beef up my bench for the upcoming bye weeks. Then yesterday I re-added him after Gurley missed another practice. The Rams have a solid fantasy playoff schedule (weeks 14 and 16), and Cunningham has actually been running better than Gurley this year. Unowned in 99% of ESPN leagues, he would be a low-end RB2 with a little upside if Gurley misses time.
Kenneth Farrow (backup to Melvin Gordon) –Farrow wasn’t supposed to be fantasy relevant this season; he probably wasn’t expected to take a snap when San Diego signed the undrafted rookie in May. But when the Chargers lost Branden Oliver, then Danny Woodhead, then Dexter McCluster to season-ending injuries, Farrow was the next man up. What’s intriguing here—and I pointed this out the other day—Melvin Gordon has been overworked these past four weeks: 27, 28, 27, and then 36 touches. Available in 99.7% of ESPN leagues, Farrow is a must-handcuff for those leaning on Gordon.
Dwayne Washington (backup to Theo Riddick) – Remember Washington? He got hurt in Week 4 and made his return last week. Available in 96% of ESPN leagues, Washington has earned double-digit carries in two of his past three games. Even if Riddick remains healthy, this glorified backup in one of the NFL’s top offenses will earn RB3/4 value in favorable matchups. And if Riddick gets hurt, Washington will be one of that week’s biggest waiver pickups.
Robert Turbin (backup to Frank Gore) -- Gore is the 9th highest scoring fantasy RB at 33 years old. Incredible. He’s also on pace for a healthy 258 carries, while his schedule after the bye is about as tough as it gets. The seemingly invincible Gore (hasn’t missed a game since 2010) is a good bet to stay healthy. But anything can happen, and that’s where Turbin comes in. The AFC’s third highest scoring team is a perfect landing spot for a capable handcuff.
Benny Cunningham (backup to Toddy Gurley) – I drafted Cunningham in my league in case Gurley got hurt. Then I dropped him two weeks later to beef up my bench for the upcoming bye weeks. Then yesterday I re-added him after Gurley missed another practice. The Rams have a solid fantasy playoff schedule (weeks 14 and 16), and Cunningham has actually been running better than Gurley this year. Unowned in 99% of ESPN leagues, he would be a low-end RB2 with a little upside if Gurley misses time.
Kenneth Farrow (backup to Melvin Gordon) –Farrow wasn’t supposed to be fantasy relevant this season; he probably wasn’t expected to take a snap when San Diego signed the undrafted rookie in May. But when the Chargers lost Branden Oliver, then Danny Woodhead, then Dexter McCluster to season-ending injuries, Farrow was the next man up. What’s intriguing here—and I pointed this out the other day—Melvin Gordon has been overworked these past four weeks: 27, 28, 27, and then 36 touches. Available in 99.7% of ESPN leagues, Farrow is a must-handcuff for those leaning on Gordon.
Dwayne Washington (backup to Theo Riddick) – Remember Washington? He got hurt in Week 4 and made his return last week. Available in 96% of ESPN leagues, Washington has earned double-digit carries in two of his past three games. Even if Riddick remains healthy, this glorified backup in one of the NFL’s top offenses will earn RB3/4 value in favorable matchups. And if Riddick gets hurt, Washington will be one of that week’s biggest waiver pickups.
Robert Turbin (backup to Frank Gore) -- Gore is the 9th highest scoring fantasy RB at 33 years old. Incredible. He’s also on pace for a healthy 258 carries, while his schedule after the bye is about as tough as it gets. The seemingly invincible Gore (hasn’t missed a game since 2010) is a good bet to stay healthy. But anything can happen, and that’s where Turbin comes in. The AFC’s third highest scoring team is a perfect landing spot for a capable handcuff.