Being a handcuff in fantasy football is like being one of the secondary bullies on the Simpsons. Oh sure, Dolph, Jimbo, and Kearney have their moments of fame when they are tormenting the likes of Milhouse and Martin, but they do not have the notoriety of legendary Nelson “Ha Ha” Muntz. While Jamaal Charles does not have a reputation as a bully, he is the star in the Kansas City backfield, leaving Knile Davis with very few appearances in the spotlight. However, on those rare occasions where Davis has been given an opportunity to step forward, he has proven to be quite an understudy. With Charles another year older, is Davis going to have a larger role in 2015?
2015 Upside
Last year, in week two at Denver, Charles was knocked out of the game early, and Davis rushed for 79 yards and two touchdowns. A week later, with Charles out of action, Knile took his talents to South Beach and burned the Miami Dolphins for 132 yards and a score in a 34-15 victory. Oddly, despite the fact Davis only averaged 3.5 yards per carry last year, he has proven to be a home run threat. He led the Chiefs in kickoff returns last year and had a 99-yard score against St. Louis, giving him additional value in return yardage leagues as long as the Chiefs keep using him in that role. Knile also had a 70-yard touchdown reception in a Week 15 rout of the Oakland Raiders. It is pretty easy to see why he has carved out a reputation as one of the best backup running backs in both the NFL and fantasy world.
2015 Downside
When you are mostly known as a handcuff, the downside is pretty easy to figure out. Limited playing time means fewer points. Most weeks, Davis has a hard time even getting on the flex radar. But beyond that, Kansas City’s offense may not be as run-oriented as it has been in recent seasons. With wide receiver Jeremy Maclin coming over from Philadelphia and young tight end Travis Kelce on the cusp of greatness, the Chiefs could have an adequate passing attack for a change. Once upon a time in Philadelphia, head coach Andy Reid ran a pass-centric offense. If Davis cannot improve his yards per carry, that could pose a problem if he gets extended playing time, as there could be less volume to work with. And Kansas City’s offense line is not one of the better units in the league.
Bottom Line
At this point, it appears as though Knile’s playing time is not going to dramatically increase. He will remain one of the best handcuffs out there, and probably be drafted in the ninth/tenth/eleventh round range in most drafts. If you draft Charles, it is better to take Davis as early as possible, within reason. Otherwise, Davis is still worth prioritizing as an upside reserve, but one should not reach to secure his services.
