Handcuffs, when played right, can turn your fantasy football season around. An injury or loss of effectiveness could vault a late-round dart throw or waiver wire pickup into a league-winning starter. Blake Corum was targeted as one such player in fantasy drafts, and while his break has not yet come, he is the most valuable fantasy football handcuff on the market. Let me explain why.
Analysis
Rams starter Kyren Williams is the dictionary definition of a workhorse. He’s had at least 12 carries and 50 rushing yards in each of his eight starts this year. While he is relied on for his availability and rushing floor, Williams isn’t the most efficient back in the league. Of all players to equal or exceed his 132 carries, Williams’ EPA of -0.04 per carry is third worst, behind only Christian McCaffrey and Ashton Jeanty.
Corum has strictly been a backup this season, but he’s on pace to smash his 58 carries in 17 games last season. The Michigan man is already up to 54 through eight games, and has received double-digit carries across his past two games. Part of that was due to the blowout nature of their wins, but it served to showcase his talents.
Out of all players with at least 50 carries, Corum’s EPM per rushing attempt is seventh. He’s not the same level of receiving back as Williams, but he’s punishing between the tackles and fits their run-it-up-the-gut ethos. If Williams were to miss a game or suddenly fall out of favor, Corum would have immense value in a Rams offense that will establish the run, come hell or high water.
The verdict
There are running backs with a faster or more feasible path to taking the RB1 job. But of all candidates to be league winners down the stretch, Corum takes the cake among backups. There aren’t 32 running backs in the league better than him, and few would step into more favorable fantasy situations. He’s the top handcuff to own.
