The backfield handcuff (drafting the immediate backup of your top running backs) has become one of the more popular strategies in fantasy football in recent seasons.

Lorenzo Booker, RB,
Philadelphia Eagles

Career statistics
Att: 28
Yards: 125
TDs: 0

While the top two spots of most teams’ depth charts appear to be set heading into training camp, one of the elite running backs in fantasy football could have a different handcuff.

According to the Philadelphia Eagles official website, Brian Westbrook‘s immediate backup could turn out to be Lorenzo Booker, not Correll Buckhalter. Reports indicate that Booker shadowed Westbrook in recent OTAs.

He lined up alone in the backfield, behind a fullback and even saw time in the slot. Booker, who was acquired in a trade with the Miami Dolphins, has some of the same skills as Westbrook and could be the first option off the sidelines when Westbrook needs a rest.

“We’re just trying to get more speed on the field. Give the defense a lot of different things they have to cover, a lot of different things they have to worry about,” Westbrook said. “Lorenzo brings a big-play capability as well to the field. He’s very fast, very shifty, has very good hands. We’re just trying to put more playmakers on the field at the same time.”

Buckhalter, who has held the second spot on the depth chart since 2006, might not even be guaranteed to make the team. The Eagles official site speculates that Westbrook and Booker, not Buckhalter, “seem like locks” to make the roster. With Tony Hunt and Ryan Moats also in the training camp mix, the only thing that’s for certain is that Westbrook is the unquestioned starter.

This is a situation to watch because of Westbrook’s immense draft value, not to mention his past proneness to knee issues. If Booker does in fact pass Buckhalter, he’ll be worth a late-round pick as insurance for fantasy footballers who take Westbrook in the first round.

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