Summary of Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Running Back Handcuff Tiers and Rankings || Fantasy Football 2025

Hosts: Alfredo Brown & Dave Kluge
Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode shifts away from the standard waiver wire analysis to focus on a strategic playoff topic for fantasy football managers: running back handcuffs. Alfredo Brown and Dave Kluge break down which backup running backs are worth stashing heading into the fantasy playoffs by tiering them according to contingent upside, standalone value, and team situations. This deep dive features actionable advice and context-rich discussion, sprinkled with humor and some nostalgic references, aiming to help listeners optimize their championship runs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Handcuff Philosophy & Playoff Strategy

• Why focus on handcuffs now?
  With playoffs approaching, stashing high-upside backup RBs becomes crucial: “Nobody is going to provide more upside on your bench than these injury-away running backs.” —Dave Kluge [05:13]
• Value over bench-fillers: Drop low-upside depth (e.g., 8 PPG WRs) for league-winning handcuffs:

  “How many guys have the upside like this? ...you can always grab [an 8-point guy] off waivers. Having a guy like Blake [Corum]...I’m shocked is available in that many leagues.” —Alfredo Brown [10:47]

Tiering Handcuffs: RB1, High Value, Mid Value, Low Value

• Tier Definitions:
  • RB1 Tier: Would be immediate top-12 fantasy RBs if they become starters.
  • High Value Handcuffs: Somewhat less, likely high-end RB2s, strong upside.
  • Mid Value Handcuffs: Likely low-end RB2/flex players if they become starters.
  • Low Value Handcuffs: Desperation stashes, or in unfavorable committee situations.

RB1 Handcuff Tier Discussion [07:15–12:10]

• Players:
  • David Montgomery (DET)
  • Zach Charbonnet (SEA)
  • Kyle Manungai (PHI)
  • Kamani Vidal (ATL)
  • Bashal Tootin (JAX)
  • Blake Corum (LAR)
  • Brian Robinson Jr. (SF)
• Standout Point: Blake Corum is “the best available RB with upside,” yet available in 76% of leagues.
• Quote:

  “Blake Corum…there isn’t a guy out there that’s available in this many leagues that has similar upside.” —Dave Kluge [09:08]

High Value Handcuffs Tier [13:44–19:03]

• Players:

  • Chuba Hubbard (CAR) — trending up due to increased usage.
  • Tyler Algier (ATL) — volume potential, but capped by offense.
  • Tajae Spears (TEN)
  • Devin Singletary (NYG)
  • Tank Bigsby (PHI)
  • Emmanuel Wilson (GB)
  • Kenneth Gainwell (PHI)

• Context: Usage and schedule matter (Algier, for example, faces tough matchups).

• On Tajae Spears:

  “He was such a fun prospect…does just enough every week…if the opportunity were there…he could be a top 12, top 15 RB even in a bad offense.” —Dave Kluge [20:22]

The “Ramondre Stevenson” Tier [25:48–28:28]

• Ramondre Stevenson is described as a frustrating but high-floor option. Good for teams needing 10-12 points, less so for upside seekers.

Mid Value Handcuffs Tier [34:45–47:18]

• Players:
  • Ray Davis (BUF)
  • Malik Davis (DAL)
  • Ollie Gordon (MIA)
  • Keaton Mitchell (BAL)
  • Devin Neal (NO)
  • Isaiah Davis (NYJ)
• Discussion Focus:
  • These players are borderline RB2/flex if opportunity arises but face possible committee splits or unproven offenses.
  • Keaton Mitchell: “If Derrick Henry misses time, it’s just him and Rasheen Ali.”

Low Value Handcuffs Tier [48:03–58:09]

• Mostly committee backups or in bad offenses, only for deeper leagues.
• Names: Samaje Perine, Bam Knight, Michael Carter (ARI), Rashad White, Sean Tucker, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Nick Chubb, Jaleel McLaughlin.
• “You’re just letting everybody in…”—Alfredo [57:02] as Dave advocates for deep league stashes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On roster management at playoff time:

  “This is the time of year where you really do have to think outside the box...I’m cutting my kicker and adding another injury-away running back, because I don’t care what I do in week 14.” —Dave Kluge [28:28]

• Stashing strategies (defenses, kicker, etc.):

  “I’m a big stasher...grabbing every defense, every streamable QB I can.” —Alfredo [29:25]

• On fantasy community habits:

  “Keon Coleman is rostered in more leagues than Blake Corum. Parker Washington is rostered in more leagues than…” —Dave [12:01]
  “People just want to plug in 8-point guys, but you can grab that off waivers.” —Alfredo [12:05]

• Playoff matchups and actionable names (waiver-wire priorities):

  “Blake Corum, Bashal Tootin, Tank Bigsby, Emmanuel Wilson, Ray Davis, Malik Davis, Isaiah Davis...If those guys are there, I’d make them a priority.” —Alfredo [60:30]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Handcuffs Philosophy & Playoff Approach: [04:44–05:43]
• Discussion: RB1 Handcuffs: [07:15–12:10]
• High Value Handcuffs / Sorting Players: [13:44–19:03]
• Mid/Low Value Handcuffs: [35:04–48:03]
• Bench Strategy & Stashing for Playoffs: [28:28–31:30]
• Waiver Wire Priorities and Final Recap: [59:43–61:15]

The Final Tiers Recap

RB1 Handcuffs (League winners if starting):

• David Montgomery, Zach Charbonnet, Kyle Manungai, Blake Corum, Bashal Tootin, Kamani Vidal, Brian Robinson Jr.

High Value Handcuffs (Should be rostered even in shallow leagues):

• Chuba Hubbard, Tyler Algier, Tajae Spears, Devin Singletary, Tank Bigsby, Emmanuel Wilson, Kenneth Gainwell

Ramondre Stevenson Tier (High Floor, Less Exciting):

• Ramondre Stevenson, Kareem Hunt

Mid Value Handcuffs (Ideal for deeper leagues):

• Ray Davis, Malik Davis, Ollie Gordon, Keaton Mitchell, Devin Neal, Isaiah Davis

Low Value Handcuffs (Desperation, deep leagues only):

• Samaje Perine, Bam Knight, Michael Carter, Rashad White, Sean Tucker, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Nick Chubb, Jaleel McLaughlin

Actionable Takeaways

• Priority waiver additions if available: Blake Corum, Bashal Tootin, Tank Bigsby, Emmanuel Wilson, Ray Davis, Malik Davis, Isaiah Davis, Chuba Hubbard.
• Keep benches focused on high-upside RBs—not “safe” low ceiling WRs or RBs.
• Plan for the playoffs by stashing streamable defenses and maximizing bench flexibility.
• Adjust to team situation: If you need a floor, target players like Stevenson; if you need upside, target ambiguous backfields and explosive handcuffs.

Alfredo’s parting advice:

“Have some decorum, fantasy football!” [61:19]

This episode is an in-depth, actionable toolkit for league-winning playoff preparation, urging listeners to think critically, eschew “safe” but low-upside options, and focus on maximizing their chance to hit big if a starting RB goes down. The tone remains humorous and relatable, translating advanced strategy into easily digestible chatter.

End of Summary.