Three RB handcuffs to target in fantasy football drafts

The 2023 NFL season kicks off on Sept. 7, which means fantasy football drafts are getting underway. Every season, injuries arise that completely reshape the fantasy landscape, particularly at the running back position due to the fragility of the position. Here are three committee running backs with high upside that you should consider targeting as a handcuff. 

Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders (ESPN ADP: 116.8)

Despite his respective RB13 and RB10 PPR finishes over his first two professional seasons, Gibson's value plummeted in 2022 thanks to the addition of Brian Robinson Jr. 

Gibson was the RB28 last season and is coming off draft boards as this year's RB35, one rank below Robinson. His backfield mate will not be deprived of carries this season, but Gibson is entering the best situation of his career. 

New OC Eric Bieniemy comes over from Kansas City and tends to utilize multiple running backs in his offense, relying heavily on receiving threats like Gibson. Additionally, Gibson is getting an upgrade at quarterback, with 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell stepping into the starting role. 

Howell showed an interest in throwing to Gibson during the preseason, with the former Memphis Tiger recording five receptions for 23 yards and one touchdown across two games. 

Even though Robinson will likely handle most of Washington's early down work, Gibson should be given more opportunities after J.D. McKissic was cut earlier this offseason. 

Over the last three seasons, McKissic caught 150 passes, so Gibson should see a significant uptick in the receiving game, giving him high-end RB3 potential. 

Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs (ADP: 133.3)

Sometimes, it isn't a bad idea to stick with what worked in the past. A league-winning waiver wire pickup season ago, McKinnon will resume his pass-catching role in Kansas City's high-powered offense in 2023.

While it took Clyde Edwards-Helaire getting phased out of the offense and later suffering a high-ankle sprain, McKinnon emerged as one of the most effective playmakers in fantasy football last season. From Week 13 on, McKinnon was the RB2 overall in PPR formats and averaged 23.2 points per game throughout the fantasy playoffs. 

Considering Edwards-Helaire isn't expected to be involved on offense much this season, McKinnon's RB38 price on ESPN is arguably one of the best values in drafts. Unlike most handcuffs, McKinnon won't need Isiah Pacheco to sustain an injury to have value on his own. Though should Pacheco ever go down, McKinnon would be in prime position to be a championship-winning fantasy player once again

Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts (ADP: 169.9)

With star tailback Jonathan Taylor out for the first four games of the season while he's on the PUP list, there's an opportunity to grab a starting-caliber player late in drafts. The question is, who will be the lead back?

Zack Moss is still sidelined with a broken arm, and although fifth-round rookie Evan Hull impressed during the preseason, Jackson's productive history filling in for Taylor makes him the ideal draft pick from Indianapolis' backfield. 

Jackson, who went undrafted in 2021, played in all 16 games last season, starting two of them, and flashed the type of receiving ability that is tailor-made for PPR formats.  

Last season, Jackson had four games with double-digit PPR points, including a 10-catch, 28.1-point performance in Week 6. First-year quarterback Anthony Richardson might not check down often, however, given HC Shane Steichen's experience working with receiving backs like Austin Ekeler and Kenneth Gainwell, there's a good chance he'll scheme some passing plays for Jackson.

As much as there's a possibility that Jackson may have a short shelf life as Indianapolis' starter, there's still a chance that Taylor could still be traded, which would give the Duke product season-long value.