The fantasy football season has finally arrived and with the NFL preseason finally over and done with, it's time to look at some draft advice and what players will be in demand as the season starts and one of the top things to watch out for are fantasy handcuffs.
For anyone that doesn't know, handcuffs are the best way to ensure production during the season, as teams and owners can "handcuff" one player to the other, as in getting his backup so that when he is hurt or out of a game, the backup can step in and not miss out for your fantasy team. In past years this has become even more essential as teams start using multiple running back and wide receiver sets and this season there are at least 10 handcuffs at running back that are essential.
Over the past couple years, Ben Tate was a solid option for Arian foster and even though he is looking healthy, Foster dealt with some issues in the preseason and having his handcuff is necessary for his owners. Some other players that fit the bill include Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice. Peterson obviously is a beast and after rushing for 2,000 yards last season he could have some wear on him, making Toby Gerhart a must-draft, but only late if he is available.
Bernard Pierce showed some skills for the Ravens last season an finished with over 530 yards rushing behind Ray Rice and this season the two could combine for a ton of yards and having him as a handcuff is definitely needed for any Rice owners. Tate finished last season with 279 yards while missing five games, but the team before he almost had 1,000 and that could be in store again for him this season.
Christine Michael and Roy Helu are solid handcuffs for big backs Marshawn Lynch and Alfred Morris and Kendall Hunter is also a solid option for Frank Gore, as he ran for 371 yards last season and he could have even more this year as Gore gets older. Some teams have solid quarterback handcuff options, including the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, but those are for deeper leagues and aren't as essential as the running back handcuffs.
Click here for a full list of solid handcuffs.
Adrian Peterson - Toby Gerhart
Arian Foster - Ben Tate
Marshawn Lynch - Christine Michael
Trent Richardson - Brandon Jackson
Ray Rice - Bernard Pierce
Alfred Morris - Roy Helu
Darren McFadden - Rashad Jennings
DeMarco Murray - Lance Dunbar
Doug Martin -Brian Leonard/Mike James
