Running Back Handcuffs Update for Week 7: Mike Washington Looms
Fantasy

Running Back Handcuffs Update for Week 7: Mike Washington Looms

Danny Cross examines the running back handcuff landscape, identifying several players to add or monitor ahead of fantasy football Week 7.

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Fantasy running backs generally avoided injury last week, meaning we'll need to look further into handcuff RB usage as we consider which backs to stash heading into Week 7.

Last week's RB handcuff recommendations were hit or miss, with Dameon Pierce finishing as RB9 with 15.0 PPR points (pending Monday Night Football). Still, we aren't expecting immediate results when evaluating the running back handcuff landscape. Hoarding backup RBs is all about the potential future value, so let's look at which backs we should add now based on changing usage or new opportunities.

RB Handcuff Updates for Week 7

Mike Washington | RB | LV

The Ashton Jeanty experience has been pretty unpleasant aside from the second-year back feasting against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. Jeanty has been inefficient (3.2 yards per carry) and has needed to be spelled at times due to minor injuries.

Early on, his usage screamed buy low. That has changed over the last three weeks as Mike Washington has carved out a bigger role—and looked great doing it.

 Jeanty Weeks 1-3Jeanty Weeks 4-6Washington Weeks 1-3Washington Weeks 4-6
Snap share79%60%19%21%
Rush attempt share77%55%19%31%
Route share65%49%12%13%
Inside-5 rush attempts100%60%0%20%

In Week 6, Washington's nine carries were just one behind Jeanty, and the rookie racked up 43 yards on the ground compared to the starter's 22. Jeanty saved his fantasy day with a rushing touchdown.

Jeanty is dinged up, and his backup, who flashed in the preseason, is seeing increasing usage for a Raiders offense that looks legit. He's a great stash in the 70% of Yahoo leagues where he's available.

Jonah Coleman | RB | DEN

It only took two games for rookie Jonah Coleman to put the fear of Shiva into J.K. Dobbins managers (not that many were relying on the oft-injured veteran as more than a low-end RB2).

Coleman popped an RB9 finish in Week 2 on just a 40% snap share, grinding out 39 yards on 10 carries with a score, along with three receptions on as many targets for 19 yards. Dobbins and RJ Harvey have only topped Coleman's Week 2 tally of 14.8 PPR points once each.

Denver has looked anemic on offense, and there are multiple mouths to feed in the running back room. But Coleman looks like he could either: 1. Take work from either of those guys, or 2. Function as a startable flex if either one goes down. Dobbins' clock always seems to be ticking, and Harvey already missed one game with an injury.

Pierre Strong | RB | GB

After making his first appearance for the Packers in Week 5, Pierre Strong usurped both MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson in Week 6. Strong bested Lloyd 11-8 in carries, earned a 15% target share compared to 3% for Lloyd and dominated both the long-down-and-distance and two-minute snaps.

The fifth-year back looked spry in handling 11 carries for 28 yards and catching five of six passes for 39 yards. Green Bay's poor offensive line play has made the ground game difficult for every back who has given it a go so far, but Strong's pass-catching chops were a welcome addition to the offense. The former Patriots fourth-round pick spent most of last season on Green Bay's practice squad, never registering a snap in the NFL.

Josh Jacobs is eligible to return this week, but his future is very much up in the air. Strong is unlikely to make an impact with Jacobs around, but the NFL could still suspend him for additional time—or the team could just get rid of him. Either way, Lloyd and Johnson disappointed badly enough for Strong to get his shot—and he made the most of it.

More Running Back Handcuffs to Roster

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