There are over four times as many players to choose from in CFF as compared to NFL fantasy. Handcuffing your running back isn’t always necessary when the waiver wire is so plentiful. However, some situations, whether it be Kingmaker systems or uncertainty in the room, do warrant a handcuff. It can protect your investment in bestball drafts and can make total sense in redraft leagues, where you can simply drop the non-producer when things solidify. Here are the rooms where a handcuff is necessary.
Texas Longhorns
Hollywood Smothers – RB54, ADP 132.3
Raleek Brown- RB56, ADP 134.7
Both these transfers are going in essentially the same range. I get wanting to invest in a Sark RB. He has consistently produced 1K rushers like few others, and they come at a cheaper cost than previous Sark backs. However, the run game has been on the decline since Jonathan Brooks. It is likely they both get some run, but it would be foolish to spend the 10th round draft capital on one without taking the other.
Oregon Ducks
Jordon Davison – RB33, ADP 59.4
Dierre Hill Jr – RB53, ADP 126.6
This gap exists for obvious reasons. Davison was the far superior option last season. It is fair to wonder if Oregon can support multiple RBs in CFF at the snail’s pace they play these days. But the upside of Hill is tantalizing. The advanced metrics are off the charts for him, making you wonder whether he could steal this job if given the opportunity. The O-line and offense are simply too good at Oregon not to want a piece of this run game, so it makes sense to grab Hill if you invest in Davison.
Missouri Tigers
Ahmad Hardy – RB3, ADP 5.9
Jamal Roberts – RB76, ADP 197.8
Okay, clearly things are changing here. Never mind the ADP of these two guys. One could argue that Hardy is now the Handcuff for Roberts! I would be willing to risk it and take Roberts without Hardy, but I most certainly would not be willing to take Hardy without also drafting Roberts. This is a situation we will probably be more informed about by mid-July or early August, but there is simply too much risk with Hardy not to handcuff him with Roberts.
Boise State Broncos
Dylan Riley – RB27, ADP 44.3
Sire Gaines – RB72, ADP 189.7
Riley is being taken 13 rounds ahead of Gaines. The rationale for this is likely that the season ended with Riley out-carrying Gaines 60 to 27 over the final three games. But last season demonstrated they can both eat over the course of the season. Should one of them go down with injury, the other becomes a potential top 10 CFF option. Boise loses its top four pass catchers from last year and returns three from its starting OL. This could be a very run-focused team early in 2026.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Kamari Moulton – RB47, ADP 105.6
LJ Phillips – RB65, ADP 176
This one is similar to Texas, but likely without the offensive firepower to support both RBs should one not separate. I wouldn’t blame anyone for just taking a stab at one and running with it. But Moulton has started to climb in value while Phillips has slipped. The only reason for this would be a single 247Sports writer who posted a suggested depth chart with Moulton as the clear RB1. Sure, it is better than nothing. But don’t forget that Kaleb Johnson opened the season as RB3 on the depth chart just two years ago when he went for 1,725 total yards and 23 TDs. Moulton was listed as RB1 on that same depth chart. Just saying…
Virginia Tech Hokies
Marcellous Hawkins – RB92, ADP 224.1
Jeffery Overton – RB N/A, ADP N/A
Turkey says what? This one is definitely the least expected on this list, but we have seen James Franklin implement a two-RB system for a bit now. The right play here is probably just to wait on Overton and snag him off waivers since he isn’t being drafted with Hawkins as the clear RB1. But, Hawkins was out for spring with an injury, and the staff and beat writers have raved about Overton as an electric option fully capable of becoming the next Franklin stud RB. He’s worth a late-round flyer for the Hawkins owners.
