The NFL schedule is into Week 4 and some fantasy handcuff starter options for this weekend includes players like Karlos Williams, Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Doug Martin, Charles Sims, Matt Jones, Alfred Morris, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles, as players like LeSean McCoy and DeMarco Murray could be out or limited for their teams.
UPDATE: Marshawn Lynch is out this week, making Thomas Rawls a great start pick.
It's always smart for fantasy owners to have backup options and with the way the NFL is going these days on offense, handcuffing running backs is wise. Most teams use two running backs these days and with injuries popping up all the time, having a backup to slot in could be the difference between winning and losing matchups each week. For Week 4 there are some prime players to watch, including Karlos Williams, as he should be starting with LeSean McCoy likely out.
Williams has been worth starting over McCoy since the season started, as McCoy has been hampered by a hamstring and that will likely keep him out Sunday. Williams has 186 yards this season and three touchdowns in as many games and expect him to get plenty of work against the Giants on Sunday. Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden are the top backs for the Cowboys, but Randle is the clear starter. McFadden is a handcuff to have in case of injury, as Randle has had some issues this summer staying healthy at times.
Randle comes in with 203 rushing yards in three games and last week he had a huge game with 87 yards and three touchdowns. McFadden is only worth a flex in deep leagues, as he has 82 yards rushing, but for fantasy owners relying heavily on Randle, picking up McFadden or Lance Dunbar is smart in case Randle is injured. Speaking of the Cowboys, DeMarco Murray has been a major disappointment with the Eagles and adding Ryan Mathews or Darren Sproles is very wise for fantasy owners.
Check here for some fantasy football sleepers, free agents and pickups for Week 4 of the season.
Murray was out last week, but even if he returns, the Eagles are likely going to give Mathews more action moving forward. Murray has just 11 yards this season and after putting up over 1800 last year, he has been very disappointing for fantasy owners. Mathews made the most of his chance last week, going for 108 yards and he now could get more carries in Week 4.
Doug Martin and Charles Sims are starting to split more for the Buccaneers and fantasy owners of either player should look to pick up the other RB. Martin came into the season as the starter and he has been playing well with 176 yards in three games, but the two RBs basically split the snaps last week and that is tough for fantasy owners. Sims played one less snap than Martin and he comes in with 61 yards and is a solid handcuff for now with Martin as the starter.
Alfred Morris remains the starter in Washington, but Jay Gruden has talked up rookie Matt Jones and the team likely will continue giving him carries. Jones has 189 yards this season and two TDs, while Morris has 199 yards and has not scored a TD yet. Morris had a big first game with 121 yards, but he has not had more than 60 in the last two, making Jones a nice upside gamble for fantasy owners.
Check here for more on fantasy football starter options for this week and more fantasy football advice.
