Running Back Handcuffs Update for Week 10: Don't Sleep On Kaelon Black

The NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, and there's a solid chance that multiple running back rooms are shaken up by fantasy-relevant players coming and going.

But before we dive into the running back situations most likely to be affected by a trade, we need to take a hard look at one of the most high-upside handcuffs in all of fantasy football: San Francisco's Kaelon Black.

Here are the latest fantasy football running back handcuff updates heading into Week 10.

RB Handcuff Updates for Week 10

Kaelon Black | RB | SF

The San Francisco 49ers are one of the league's most fantasy-friendly offenses, and rookie Kaelon Black has emerged as Christian McCaffrey's clear-cut handcuff. Over the past two games, Black has handled 39% of the team's carries compared to 42% for CMC, turning a total of 23 carries into 133 yards and a score. Third-stringer Jordan James only has four totes over this stretch.

Fantasy managers feared CMC's injury history for most of the summer, but for some reason Black is only rostered in 39% of Yahoo leagues. That's way too low considering CMC has dealt with lower-body "issues" in training camp and as recently as Week 7. With only five weeks left in most fantasy regular seasons, CMC managers should be handcuffing their own guy at this point. And those with the roster space should be sitting on Black, who would likely inherit 15-20 carries and a couple of targets per game should anything happen to the fantasy superstar.

The third-round pick out of Indiana doesn't have the receiving upside to expect 20ish PPR points per game like CMC, but he'd be a borderline RB1 with lead-back status.

NOW LIVE: Dwain McFarland's Week 10 Utilization Report follows the data to identify this week's top waiver wire options, trade targets, upgrades and downgrades. Find Fantasy Life's suite of Utilization Tools here.

Kaleb Johnson | RB | GB

Kaleb Johnson stepped in for the injured Josh Jacobs in Week 9, carrying the ball 14 times for 68 yards and a touchdown. With Jacobs reportedly undergoing finger surgery and missing multiple weeks, Johnson could be in line for his most extensive look as a pro. The second-year back was relegated to the doghouse in Pittsburgh before a preseason trade to Green Bay after just one season.

The Packers are rumored to be in the running back trade market, so this could be completely moot by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. But maybe Johnson played his best NFL football at an opportune time and will function as the early-down back in Green Bay's (admittedly problematic) running game come Week 10. Johnson's skills fit the Green Bay scheme (hence the flier they took on him), and there's definitely touchdown upside in this offense despite the offensive line's struggles.

Audric Estime | RB | NO

Audric Estime has had a wild month, having waited six weeks for a call-up to the Cleveland Browns' active roster, scoring a TD in his first appearance and lasting only two weeks before being released again. The New Orleans Saints snatched up Estime, who played seven games for them last season.

In his first game with the Saints, the former Broncos fifth-rounder clearly led the team's running back rotation, turning 15 carries into 72 yards and a score. Veteran Alvin Kamara played more of a passing-down role and only handled six carries for 32 yards.

With Travis Etienne nearing a return from IR, Estime's time atop the depth chart could be limited, but the 5-foot-11, 227-pounder appears to be the early-down and short-yardage back until then.

Emmett Johnson | RB | KC

This is going to sound a lot like the argument for Black: Rookie Emmett Johnson is thriving behind the resurgent Kenneth Walker and would be a must-add should anything happen to the starter. The fourth-round rookie has scored in two straight, coming in as the RB8 over this stretch in a part-time role.

Johnson exploded in Week 8 for 128 receiving yards on five catches, including a beautiful 73-yard score. In Week 9, he turned six carries into 34 yards and a TD. He's averaging 17.4 PPR points per game over the two-week stretch on only a 24% snap share.

Walker scored three times last week—the Chiefs are running their offense through their backs and quick game, and Johnson is clearly up for the challenge.

Corey Kiner | RB | NE

Second-year back Corey Kiner might be the last man standing in New England, with Rhamondre Stevenson awaiting MRI results on an injured knee as of Monday night. Kiner has filled in admirably as the team's RB2 over the last few weeks with Treveyon Henderson dealing with various injuries.

Kiner went undrafted out of Cincinnati in 2025 but had a solid collegiate career. The 5-foot-9, 209-pound back was originally a four-star recruit who played at LSU before transferring to his hometown Bearcats. He has carried the ball 50 times for 244 yards at 4.9 a pop and one touchdown this season.

More Running Back Handcuffs to Roster

Seth McGowan: Next man up if Jonathan Taylor is traded; monitor DJ Giddens as well.
Nicholas Singleton: Next man up if Tony Pollard is traded.
Corey Kiner: Earning a bigger role in New England with TreVeyon Henderson out, and the second-year back has looked good doing it.
Dylan Sampson: Passing-down back is an emergency flex now but could do much more if Quinshon Judkins ever misses time.
Ray Davis: High-upside James Cook handcuff.
Braelon Allen: Took a back seat upon Breece Hall's return but played great in his absence.
Tyler Goodson: Clear handcuff to Javonte Williams, earning a handful of carries per game in the meantime.
Samaje Perine: Still cutting into Chase Brown's workload; solid upside in the event of an injury.
Justice Hill: Playing a passing-down role complementing Derrick Henry.
Austin Ekeler: Next up behind Rachaad White.
Devin Singletary: Didn't do much with a heavy workload while Cam Scattebo sat, but the veteran can play all three downs when needed.