Free Agent Fantasy Fallout: RB Handcuff Report
We finally have some RB movement in the NFL, and after the blockbuster free agent class we saw in 2024, this year’s crop isn’t as sexy. However, some proven RBs and handcuffs were added to rosters over the last few days. Here’s a look at how to approach them for fantasy football purposes, at least ahead of the NFL Draft.
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Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (1-year deal)
After four years in Philadelphia, Kenneth Gainwell is staying in the state of Pennsylvania for at least one more season. The RB has posted 1,906 yards from scrimmage with 13 total touchdowns thus far in the NFL and hasn’t received the volume to produce as anything higher than a fantasy RB5.
He now joins a Najee Harris-less Steelers’ RB room, as Harris left for the Chargers just one day prior to Gainwell’s news. Harris led the team last season in touches per game with 17.6 and was the RB16 overall in that category, with Pittsburgh boasting the fourth most rushing attempts in 2024.
Jaylen Warren should get the RB1 keys for the Steelers, but Gainwell could have a fantasy-relevant role, and this signing should make drafters a bit more confident that they won’t spend high draft capital on a rusher in April. Warren is currently the RB27 in early Underdog Drafts as an eighth rounder which will likely climb, and Gainwell now makes for a packed-with-upside steal as RB93 in the 20th.
Rico Dowdle, Panthers (1-year, $6.25 million)
This is a pretty nice landing spot for Rico Dowdle, as he should see plenty of work both on the ground and in the air to spell Chuba Hubbard, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Jonathon Brooks’ health. He’s coming off a 1000+ rushing yard season with another 249 receiving for Dallas as the lead back, seeing 11.4 more touches per contest than the next highest RB, Ezekiel Elliott. Last year Hubbard handled 73.1% of the team's backfield carries and 60.6% of the receptions, which could come down a tad with Dowdle now in the mix.
This move will likely cause a dip in Hubbard’s fantasy draft stock, which currently sits as RB16 at spot 5.01. As far as Dowdle goes, he was being selected as the RB41 in the 12th round, and may see a slight bump with his new home in Carolina.
A.J. Dillon, Eagles (1-year deal)
The former Packer has been cleared to play after missing the entire 2024 season due to a neck injury he suffered in 2023. A.J. Dillon joins the Super Bowl Champion Eagles, hoping to resurrect his career behind Saquon Barkley. The 27-year-old boasts a mere 4.1 yards per carry average, which has decreased every year he’s been in the NFL.
Dillon’s pass catching is not exactly a fantasy selling point, either, as he’s averaged just 21.5 receptions per season over his four years on the field. Consider Dillon nothing more than a pure handcuff to Barkley and even if something were to happen, Jalen Hurts would also shoulder some of that load.
Khalil Herbert, Colts ( 1-year deal)
Who’s ready for another ride on the Khalil Herbert train? We’ve all had our moments of hope, but after 2024’s last-minute shuffling from Chicago to Cincinnati only to fumble and get dog-housed, it's tough to get back on board. Herbert will be fighting for a depth spot behind Jonathan Taylor in Indy and sits as the RB94 with a 20th round ADP in early Underdog contests.
