Handcuff Finder
For each NFL backfield we order the running backs by Nova VORP, name the lead, and flag his backup. A priority handcuff is the backup to an elite starter, the one who inherits a workhorse role, and real fantasy points, the week that starter goes down. Search your own starter to see who to stash behind him.
ℹThis is inferred from projected role (Nova VORP depth), not from official NFL depth charts. It is a strong preseason prior for who sits where. Official depth charts, camp reports, and in-season usage refine it once games start. A backfield with two close backs is labeled a committee, a lower-leverage case, rather than forcing a lead-and-handcuff read. Format numbers use the toggle below.
What do these terms mean?
Handcuff
The backup who would inherit the workload if a starter gets hurt. Insurance for your own player.
Priority handcuff
A backup to an elite starter who would become a must-start himself on an injury. The highest-value handcuffs.
Stash score ★
How much value a backup would inherit if the lead back gets hurt. Higher means a more valuable late-round handcuff to stash.
VORP ★
Value Over Replacement Player: projected points above a freely-available replacement at the same position. Nova's core measure of real value.
Tier ★
Nova's value tier at the position. A tier break marks a real cliff in value, so Tier 1 is the top group, Tier 2 the next, and so on.
★ = Nova’s own model, the secret sauce. The rest are the market reference and raw stats Nova is measured against.
Depth inferred from Nova VORP rank (PPR) · 12 priority handcuffs across 32 backfields · generated 2026-07-12