Lions running back David Montgomery on how being a scout shaped his NFL career
David Montgomery stops by to talk about his continued partnership with Scouting America and how being a scout himself helped his NFL career.
Sports Seriously
Fantasy football managers tend to target running backs early and often during their drafts, but sometimes, the later-drafted players at the position end up being more important.
The reason for this is simple. Running back carries a high attrition rate, so injuries can turn mid-round value picks and top backups into high-end fantasy starters.
Still, not all running back handcuffs are created equally. Some will get opportunities regardless of what happens to the player in front of them on the depth chart. Others could end up being stopgap starters while staving off competition from high-drafted rookies who are projected to eventually take over the full-time starting job.
Who are the best running back handcuffs to target in 2025? USA TODAY Sports outlines the full list of top backups and ranks the best six.
Fantasy football RB handcuff chart for 2025Projected startersArizona Cardinals: James ConnerAtlanta Falcons: Bijan RobinsonBaltimore Ravens: Derrick HenryBuffalo Bills: James CookCarolina Panthers: Chuba HubbardChicago Bears: D’Andre SwiftCincinnati Bengals: Chase BrownCleveland Browns: Jerome FordDallas Cowboys: Javonte WilliamsDenver Broncos: RJ HarveyDetroit Lions: Jahmyr GibbsGreen Bay Packers: Josh JacobsHouston Texans: Joe MixonIndianapolis Colts: Jonathan TaylorJacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne Jr.Kansas City Chiefs: Isiah PachecoLas Vegas Raiders: Ashton JeantyLos Angeles Chargers: Omarion HamptonLos Angeles Rams: Kyren WilliamsMiami Dolphins: De’Von AchaneMinnesota Vikings: Aaron JonesNew England Patriots: TreVeyon HendersonNew Orleans Saints: Alvin KamaraNew York Giants: Tyrone Tracy Jr.New York Jets: Breece HallPhiladelphia Eagles: Saquon BarkleyPittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb JohnsonSan Francisco 49ers: Christian McCaffreySeattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker IIITampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucky IrvingTennessee Titans: Tony PollardWashington Commanders: Brian Robinson Jr.HandcuffsArizona Cardinals: Trey BensonAtlanta Falcons: Tyler AllgeierBaltimore Ravens: Justice HillBuffalo Bills: Ray DavisCarolina Panthers: Rico DowdleChicago Bears: Roschon JohnsonCincinnati Bengals: Samaje PerineCleveland Browns: Quinshon JudkinsDallas Cowboys: Miles SandersDenver Broncos: J.K. DobbinsDetroit Lions: David MontgomeryGreen Bay Packers: MarShawn LloydHouston Texans: Nick ChubbIndianapolis Colts: DJ GiddensJacksonville Jaguars: Tank BigsbyKansas City Chiefs: Kareem HuntLas Vegas Raiders: Raheem MostertLos Angeles Chargers: Najee HarrisLos Angeles Rams: Blake CorumMiami Dolphins: Jaylen WrightMinnesota Vikings: Jordan MasonNew England Patriots: Rhamondre StevensonNew Orleans Saints: Kendre MillerNew York Giants: Cam SkatteboNew York Jets: Braelon AllenPhiladelphia Eagles: A.J. DillonPittsburgh Steelers: Jaylen WarrenSan Francisco 49ers: Isaac GuerendoSeattle Seahawks: Zach CharbonnetTampa Bay Buccaneers: Rachaad WhiteTennessee Titans: Tyjae SpearsWashington Commanders: Austin Ekeler1. David Montgomery, Lions
Montgomery isn’t a traditional handcuff. He and Jahmyr Gibbs have tended to split carries when both are healthy, and that arrangement should continue in 2025. That gives Montgomery a higher floor than most No. 2 backs, especially considering his efficacy near the goal-line.
That said, if Gibbs has to miss any time, Montgomery would likely step into a workhorse role for the squad. Case in point, the Lions gave Gibbs an average of 25.7 touches per game in the three contests Montgomery missed last season. The “Knuckles” part of Detroit’s running back rotation would likely be in for a similar workload if his “Sonic” counterpart is ever sidelined.
2. Jordan Mason, Vikings
Aaron Jones enjoyed a strong first season in Minnesota, but the Vikings eased up on his usage over the second half of 2024. He averaged 17 touches per game over the final eight games of the season after averaging 18.9 over his first nine.
Is that a sign of things to come for Jones? The veteran is set to turn 31 in December, so the Vikings may continue to limit his overall workload to keep him fresh. That could give Mason, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry with the 49ers last season, a chance to carve out a solid role and become a productive flex play.
3. J.K. Dobbins, Broncos
The Broncos selected RJ Harvey in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but it isn’t clear whether he will be Denver’s workhorse out of the gate. Sean Payton and Co. have been mum about the plans with Harvey, who the team listed as a fifth stringer on its first unofficial depth chart of the preseason.
Harvey seems far more likely to be a top-two option for Denver’s running game, but Dobbins could see plenty of action early in the season. The veteran is coming off a career-best 1,058 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns across 13 games for the Chargers last season.
It would hardly surprise if Dobbins out-touches Harvey in the early stages of the 2025 NFL season. That could give him a chance to be a solid RB2 until the UCF product carves out a larger role with the team.
4. Najee Harris, Chargers
Harris is in a similar boat to Dobbins. He isn’t likely to maintain the lead back role throughout the season, but he could outwork Omarion Hampton if the Chargers ease the first-round rookie into action.
It’s also worth noting the Chargers saw three different players log at least five carries inside the 5-yard last season in Dobbins (8), Hassan Haskins (8) and Gus Edwards (5). A similar split between Harris and Hampton could allow the former Steeler an opportunity to vulture some scores and improve his fantasy outlook.
5. Jaylen Warren, Steelers
Warren is yet another veteran back who could eventually be displaced by a rookie but should still carry fantasy value. He is a far more proven receiver than third-round pick Kaleb Johnson and could see his passing-game outlook continue to improve with Aaron Rodgers in the fold.
Warren averaged a career-best 8.2 yards per reception last season and has 127 career receptions across 48 career games, good for an average of 2.6 per game. That should give Warren a great floor in PPR leagues as a consistent flex factor who could become a legitimate RB2 if he can earn a carry split with Johnson.
6. Ray Davis, Bills
Davis’ status as a top handcuff stems largely from James Cook‘s recent hold-in. Buffalo’s starter finally got his contract extension, but Davis still has value as a backup with Ty Johnson taking snaps on third downs.
Davis averaged just 3.9 yards per carry as a rookie, but the 5-8, 220-pound bruiser has the size needed to be a consistent goal-line scorer. If Cook misses any time, Davis will immediately become a volume-based RB2 with great touchdown potential.