It's a popular strategy in fantasy football to target the top running backs in the league. While actual NFL teams may not be valuing halfbacks the way they used to, the position is still one that many fantasy managers look to fill in the first or second rounds of their drafts. But what about the backups, or handcuffs, as they are sometimes called, in fantasy circles?

These running backs are often unheralded but have the potential to provide sneaky fantasy value should the starter go down with an injury- or be benched due to ineffectiveness.

Not only are running back handcuffs a nice way to ensure security for a top-tier halfback on fantasy football rosters, but they are also a cheaper way to get a potential share in an elite offense.

With Week 1 of the NFL season around the corner and fantasy football drafts reaching a frenzy, let's take a look at the four most valuable running back handcuffs.

Fantasy football: Most valuable RB handcuffs 2023

4. Kenneth Gainwell (Eagles) FantasyPros ADP ECR – 130 

Kenneth Gainwell garnered a ton of hype out of Eagles training camp, as he seemed to be receiving the lion's share of first team touches in a backfield that includes D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny.

Let's be clear. NFL training camp and preseason usage can be notoriously misleading for fantasy football purposes- and Gainwell isn't supplanting those guys on the depth chart.

However, it's worth noting that Gainwell's role increased as the year went on last season, as he received 11-plus touches in each Eagles playoff game, including a 112-rushing yard performance against the New York Giants in the Divisional Round.

Swift and Penny will get their fair share of opportunities in this backfield. The problem is, neither has ever played a full season in their respective NFL careers.

In other words, there's a great chance that Gainwell will have the Eagles backfield to himself at some point in 2023.

3. Jaylen Warren (Steelers) FantasyPros ECR ADP – 122

Jaylen Warren not only has standalone value in the Pittsburgh Steelers' backfield, but he also could have league-winning upside.

Warren, an undrafted rookie this past season, had a surprisingly large role, tallying over 300 rushing yards and 200 receiving yards in 16 games.

Part of this had to with Steelers lead back Najee Harris' efficiency, or lack thereof. Per NFL NextGen Stats, Harris registered -116 Rushing Yards Over Expected while tallying just 3.8 yards per attempt.

Not great. While Harris certainly seemed to be plodding in 2022, to be fair, the Steelers' offensive line graded out as below average in terms of run blocking last season.

Harris could look better in 2023 but the fact that he lost over 30 carries from his rookie year to last year is a bit concerning.

Warren had five games last year with at least 10 PPR points. At worst, he can certainly provide that level of production this year. At best, he could snatch even more work away from Harris and win fantasy football leagues, all for about the cost of a 10th round pick.

2. Elijah Mitchell (49ers) FantasyPros ECR ADP – 113 

Elijah Mitchell is one of the best fantasy football handcuffs this year for one very simple reason: he was essentially the San Francisco 49ers' lead back before their trade for Christian McCaffrey this past season.

As a rookie in 2021, Mitchell nearly ran for 1000 yards. Even after the Niners' trade for McCaffrey, Mitchell outcarried the All-Pro in their first game together last November.

That won't happen every game. However, with Mitchell, fantasy football managers are getting a player who can contribute in the right matchup even with McCaffrey active.

And if McCaffrey, who has missed time in the past with injuries, is sidelined at any point, Mitchell's proven ability to be a lead back would give him significant value for managers.

Mitchell is dealing with an injury of his own, but recently returned to practice ahead of Week 1.

1. Tyler Allgeier (Falcons) FantasyPros ECR ADP – 115 

Tyler Allgeier might be the king of fantasy football handcuffs. For starters, Allgeier tallied over 1000 rushing yards and averaged nearly five yards per carry as a rookie last year for Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith.

Atlanta led the NFL in total rushing attempts and was very clearly a run-first offense, a trend that should continue after the team invested a first-round pick in the immensely talented Bijan Robinson.

Robinson figures to be a workhorse, meaning that Allgeier likely won't see the 210 carries he registered last year. But there should be enough opportunities for the second-year pro to at least return value in favorable matchups.

And should Robinson ever miss time, Allgeier has already proven to the Falcons coaching staff that he can handle the lead back duties. Allgeier will be a popular target for Zero RB drafters and those looking for some sneaky depth on their benches.