Fantasy Football: Is QB “Handcuffing” a thing?

Let’s start with the basics. In fantasy football, it’s common to “handcuff” your No. 1 running back by also drafting his backup. For this year, Alexander Mattison (Dalvin Cook), Tony Pollard (Ezekiel Elliott), Chuba Hubbard (Christian McCaffrey), Devontae Booker (Saquon Barkley), Darrynton Evans (Derrick Henry) and Samaje Perine (Joe Mixon) come to mind as top-end handcuffs.

In some situations, usually in deeper leagues, it might be worth handcuffing one of your top wide receivers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers situation stands out in that way this year. Scotty Miller or Tyler Johnson would step into a big role if one of their top three (Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown) went down. Michael Thomas being out to start the season makes it worth considering who’s down the depth chart in New Orleans.

RELATED: Who is Saquon Barkley’s backup?

There are fantasy leagues where you draft “Team Quarterback” rather than an individual. That protects against injury when you would ordinarily just have someone of the top-end ilk (Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson). There will be a drop-off to the backup of those elite guys, but that backup would be stepping into a favorable situation.

But what about quarterback “handcuffing”?

Fantasy Football: Is QB “Handcuffing” Something To Consider?

This year, there are fantasy-relevant preseason battles for the starting job under center in New Orleans (Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill) and Denver (Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater). Chicago (Andy Dalton, Justin Fields), New England (Cam Newton, Mac Jones) and San Francisco (Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance) are also worth watching.

The concept of quarterback handcuffing landed in my lap a day ago. I’m in a 20-team league with IDPs. We’re doing a 21-round slow draft. I had the fourth overall pick, which gives me the fourth pick in odd-numbered rounds and the fourth-to-last pick in even-numbered rounds.

In the 16th round, with only one quarterback on my roster (Baker Mayfield), I was looking at available signal callers. The pickings were slim. Drew Lock was available, and I took him at pick 16.17. I was quickly on the clock again at pick 17.4. I didn’t like the best available options at other positions. Teddy Bridgewater was available, and I took him. Yes, I “handcuffed” the Broncos’ quarterbacks.

In drafting both Lock and Bridgewater, I figure on having the starting quarterback in what should be a good offense. I could trade who wins the job heading into the season, and cross my fingers the loser will be starting when I have a need. The winner of the training camp/preseason battle seems sure to have a tenuous hold on the gig.

The Saints’ situation seems ideal for quarterback handcuffing. If Winston wins the job, Hill likely still sees the field somehow. Hill will be hard to see as much more than a Winston vulture if he’s not the starter. But as the handcuff to Winston, or Winston as the handcuff to him, fantasy managers can protect a bet on Sean Payton still having a productive quarterback without Drew Brees.

Handcuffing running backs (and wide receivers) is largely reserved for deeper leagues-12 or more teams, deep rosters (or both). The idea of quarterback handcuffing is no different. If your draft is soon (or ongoing) in a deep league, before starting jobs are determined, drafting both quarterbacks who are competing in a situation becomes an option.

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