Dangerous Handcuffs: Three RBs Who Could Torpedo Their Team's Depth Chart

Looks can be deceiving. Sometimes we see a RB with great numbers, great talent, or a combination of both, and lose sight of the danger lurking below on the depth chart. Here are three very dangerous handcuffs to higher-ADP RBs who could wind up with significant value in their own right.

All ADP date is courtesy of Fantasy Pros.

Kenyan Drake, RB, Raiders (ADP: 85)

Drake was a fairly high-priced free agent addition for Las Vegas this offseason, even though Josh Jacobs is being drafted as if he’s locked in as a bell cow (No. 27 overall, RB15). Drake may have been a bit underwhelming for his draft position in 2020, but he was running behind a genuinely awful offensive line, and operated within a scheme where he wasn’t able to show off his pass-catching. Despite that, Drake finished the season with 955 yards and 10 touchdowns. He tied Jacobs (also Dalvin Cook) for second-most red zone rushing attempts last season (35), and matched him with nine touchdowns. He logged one more attempt (22) inside the five-yard line compared to Jacobs; all nine of Drake’s red zone scores were from inside the five, while Jacobs scored six from that distance. This could be a red flag for Jacobs, because some are looking at Drake as a pass-catching complement in this backfield, and while he can do that, Drake was just as prolific as a short-yardage rusher and he did it behind an inferior offensive line.

PFF preferred Jacobs’ work last season to Drake’s, and Jacobs should be viewed as the primary option for this backfield. Preseason usage and roles are worth monitoring, however, because Drake has been trusted to catch passes in his career while the Raiders have never given Jacobs a fair shake in that regard. That alone gives Drake some Kareem Hunt-lite potential on this team, and any nicks and bruises for Jacobs throughout the season could wind up delivering a very fantasy-relevant season for him.

Darrell Henderson, RB, Rams (ADP: 137)

Cam Akers is a preseason darling, and for good reason. He ended 2020 impressively, averaging 108 yards from scrimmage from Weeks 11-14 and scoring twice, then scoring in back-to-back postseason games while registering 46 carries in two games. Even though he very much looked the part of a workhorse, Darrell Henderson was a PFF darling. Henderson wound up with an 80.4 grade, three tenths of a point behind Jonathan Taylor and coming in at 11th among qualifying RBs. Henderson earned a 79.2 rushing grade, which is excellent, but he was PFF’s third-best pass-blocking RB last season, which gives him a clear path toward passing down work over Akers, who graded terribly in that regard.

Henderson spent a chunk of 2020 performing like a stud in his own right when Akers suffered an early injury. He managed to wrest control of the majority role in a timeshare with Malcolm Brown, garnering 14 or more carries four times and scoring three times in that span. There’s no doubt that Akers will be the primary option for the Rams’ backfield to open the season, but with Brown in Miami, Henderson will absolutely have a role. Passing downs should belong to him based on his far superior pass blocking, and it is within the realm of possibilities that he could outperform Akers; don’t forget that the Rams spent a third round pick on him just two years ago. It’s strongly recommended come draft day that anyone who invests in Akers try to secure Henderson as well.

Javian Hawkins, RB, Falcons (ADP: 231)

Hawkins is a name very few people at this point have probably heard of, especially if you are judging by his ADP. He signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent, but has an unusually clear path toward a fantasy-relevant role. After letting go of Todd Gurley after the season, Atlanta’s big move to shore up the backfield was signing veteran Mike Davis. They didn’t address the position in the draft, and are currently rolling with Davis, converted receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and 2019 fifth-rounder Qadree Ollison. Obviously nothing is guaranteed for any RB, especially one who cost literally no draft capital, but Hawkins could be a home run. He rushed for more than 1,500 yards at Louisville in 2019, and upped his yards per carry to 6.2 last season before opting out after eight games. He finished with 822 yards and seven touchdowns on 133 attempts, and showed improved receiving chops (16 receptions, 127 yards and one touchdown).

Hawkins is undersized – 5’8, 183 lbs. – but explosive. His scouting profile mentions three touchdown runs of 70 or more yards, and that provides helpful contrast from Davis’ bruising approach. Davis impressed for a few weeks last year in relief of Christian McCaffery, but he tapered off as the season wore on. It’s unlikely he lasts as a true bell cow, and if Hawkins pans out as a receiver he could be relied upon with Julio Jones vacating 7.5 targets per game.