Handcuffing Your Positions

Recently I have read and heard on some of my favorite podcasts the idea of handcuffing positions other than running backs. I thought I would chime in on this subject as it seems to be a hot topic people are concerned with.

There are some obvious cases of handcuffs for running backs in the NFL. Guys like Knile Davis to back up Jamaal Charles, and James Starks for Eddie Lacy. On the flip side of that, there are plenty of teams that you would not want to have a back up for. Point being, there are players to handcuff because of either their talent or opportunity. A reasonably talented back up running back can step in and be productive for both their team, and your fantasy team.

The question I have repeatedly been hearing and reading is about handcuffing your wide recievers. This led me to wonder if handcuffing either receivers or tight ends is something you should do. My thought on this is that there are some specific and rare cases where it makes some sense to me, but overall there isn't a lot of value in the third or fourth receiver in an offense.

Some of the players I would consider taking a flyer on rostering in case their teammate gets an injury during the fantasy playoffs are as follows:

Davante Adams (GB) has been a decent receiver for the Packers this season, and if Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb went down, Adams would see his role increase, and he has the talent to rise to the occasion. If you are an owner of Nelson or Cobb, Adams is worth a roster spot in case of emergency.

Donte Moncrief (IND) has shown explosive play ability and has been increasing his snap count in recent weeks. If something were to happen to TY Hilton or Reggie Wayne in the next few weeks, it is likely that the workload would end up on Moncrief's plate. Worth a stash for the next few weeks, especially if you are in a keeper or Dynasty league.

Wes Welker, Cody Latimer, Andre Caldwell (DEN) are all players that could be treated as handcuff type players for the Broncos. Welker has been disappointing this season, missing time for suspension and injury, and not performing well overall. These three players would all have a chance to gain more playing time and relevance. In my opinion the pecking order of these players would be Welker, Caldwell, Latimer, but teh only one I would think about rostering is Welker as a handcuff. Caldwell and Latimer are hail mary guys and should be left on the wire until proven otherwise.

Tim Wright (NE) has had some productive games so far this season, but has been very dependent on scoring. If something were to happen to Rob Gronkowski, Wright would have a big opportunity in an offense that is very big on using the tight end in the receiving game. If you own Gronk, Wright is worth a stash over a 5th running back or wide receiver you are unlikely to play in the next few weeks.

Niles Paul (WAS) played well in the absence of Jordan Reed this season, and as long as Colt McCoy is the quarterback for Washington, the tight ends will be productive. McCoy loves to utilize the tight end and throws a lot of passes in the middle of the field where the tight ends live. Paul should likely be owned if you have Reed as your only tight end.

This time of year it is important to protect your roster with players that will be playing. An injury to a major player on your roster is likely catastrophic during the playoffs, One thing to remember about the handcuff players is that they will not be as good as the player in front of them, but it can make sense to have them to conserve some possible value from teams with high powered high scoring offenses. Good luck in your playoffs this week!

Waiver Wire Playoff Edition Week 14

Welcome to the playoffs. If you are still reading this, I assume you made it. Congrats. If you didn't make it and are still reading, you are just as sick as me. Not a lot to love on the waiver wire this week, but a few gambles if you are in bad shape. Let's take a look.

RB

Daniel Herron (IND) is the best healthy running back in Indy. The Colts didn't run a lot last week, but the best back on the field was definitely Herron. Going 8 for 88 and a touchdown and adding 2 catches, Herron is a solid addition to those who have lost their running back in the past few weeks with some starters going down.

Marion Grice (ARI) is a throw of a dart at who will get the touches in Arizona if Andre Ellington is out this week with a hip pointer. Grice got the most work after Ellington went down, but at this point I don't really want anything to do with any part of the Cardinals offense. Grice is a super desperation addition this week as the role of all is not clear. The Cards had recently added Michael Bush to their roster as well, but he had been out of football before getting signed. Proceed with caution with any Arizona running back not named Andre.

WR

Robert Woods (BUF) has been a consistent performer for the Bills over the past few weeks. In week 13 Woods had 4 catches for 71 yards, and in week 12 Woods had 9 catches for 118 yards and a score. The Bills face the Denver Broncos this week, and if Aqib Talib is out again, it might be a good game for the Bills through the air. Denver has allowed 24 touchdowns through the air this season. If you are in need, Woods is a decent addition.

Davante Adams (GB) had himself a game against the Patriots in week 13. Catching 6 balls for 121 yards, Adams was a good performer for the Pack. This week the Packers face the Atlanta Falcons and their worst ranked pass defense on Monday night. There should be plenty of yardage to go around. Adams is a good addition if you need some help at receiver.

Donte Moncrief (IND) has been used sparingly this season, but at some point the Colts have to realize the explosiveness that Moncrief adds to their lineup. In his biggest games this season, Moncrief has had over 100 yards and has scored 3 touchdowns. His production has been off and on, but when he is given a shot he has shown big play ability. Facing Cleveland this week, if the Colts put him on the field, he could have a big day against the second or third corner for the Browns. Moncrief is a gamble, but can provide huge dividends if he hits for you.

QB

Johnny Manziel (CLE) got his first real NFL action last week, and early this week it seems like he might get his first start against the Colts this week. I wouldn't look forward to starting him in a 10 or 12 team league, but in a 2 quarterback or keeper format he should now be rostered. I don't like the idea of a rookie passer, but Johnny Football has the ability to run, including a rushing touchdown last week. 

Sashay Donte

The Indianapolis Colts have had the most prolific offense so far this NFL season. Andrew Luck is on a torrid pace, and his receivers and running backs are coming with him. This week an injury is likely to sideline Reggie Wayne for a week or two, and it may usher in the youth movement in Indy.

Image source indystar.com

Donte Moncrief is a rookie wide out for the Colts out of Mississippi. He has all the tools to be a great receiver in the NFL with a little work. With Reggie Wayne sidelined, he is likely to get his chance this week. Moncrief stands 6'2 and weighed in at 221 pounds at the combine last spring. His speed and leaping ability will allow him to both stretch the field, and to go up and get balls over the defenders playing him.

At Mississippi, Moncrief was a starter as a true freshman in 2011. That season he started 12 games and led the team in receptions (31), yards (454), and touchdown catches (4). As a Sophomore he played 12 games making 66 catches for 979 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his junior, and final season at Ole Miss, Moncrief had 59 catches for 938 yards and 6 scores.

At the combine he was a co-leader in 40 yard dash times with a 4.4 second time, vertical jump at 39.5 inches, and broad jump at 132 inches. Moncrief possesses a gift of speed and size that are not often found with wide receivers. He is a field stretching talent that can get down field and catch the long bomb, or go up and get a ball up close in the red zone. In college he also showed an awareness of where the yardage marker was to get his team a first down.

So far this season Moncrief has not had a ton of work. His high water mark so far was in week 3 against Jacksonville where he caught 4 of 5 targets for 55 yards. The next two weeks, which coincide with reports of the timeline for Wayne to be out, see the colts play the 13th ranked pass defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the 25th ranked New York Giants. The overall average rank of the defenses left on the Colts schedule is 17, middle of the pack. The colts have the easiest schedule this year, and if Moncrief can put up some good numbers with Wayne out, you may not see him coming off the field when Wayne returns.

With the big play making ability of both Andrew Luck, and the skill set of Donte Moncrief, I recommend picking him up this week off of your waiver wire. He would make a good speculative addition for anyone who is needing help at wide receiver and wants to add a guy who is owned in less than 1 percent of ESPN leagues. The opportunity to add a player with his path in front of him, and recently developed opportunity should not be missed. If you are carrying a second quarterback and your main guy has had his bye, you can likely drop the backup and add Moncrief to his spot.

Don't miss the boat on this super talented guy who is about to get his shot in the best offense in the NFL this season. He may tilt the field in your fantasy match ups for the rest of your season.