When you draft a star fantasy running back, in many cases it's important to make sure to handcuff them with their backup running back just in case they miss time. That does not include a secondary option in a two-back system. The best handcuffs will not only full a near full-workload if their starter goes down, but should also have a ton of upside. These are the top handcuff running backs to own for the 2026 fantasy football season.
Brian Robinson Jr, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson looks to be the clear backup for Bijan Robinson, and he will bring more to your fantasy league than causing chaos during your draft because of his name. Not only is he a high-end handcuff, but he could hold some standalone value as well.
Last season in Atlanta, Tyler Allgeier carried the ball 143 times and caught 14 passes, posting over 600 yards from scrimmage and scoring eight touchdowns. While we do not believe that Robinson is as good as Allgeier, if he sees similar volume, he could be more than just a handcuff at times during the season. Nevertheless, he will be a distant backup enough to Bijan to be considered a true handcuff.
Jordan James, San Francisco 49ers
