By Jeff Paur
RealTime Fantasy Sports

Alright, some might be confused with the term "handcuff." But it is a fantasy term that many owners use during their draft. What does it mean? Well, this is where you grab hold of a position from a team. For example, you want the Vikings running back situation wrapped up, so you draft Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor in your draft. Now, you have the Vikings running back spot all sewn up. If Peterson gets hurt or flops and Taylor starts to get the bulk of the carries for some reason, you don't have any worries since you drafted Peterson as well as Taylor.

This is a smart way to conduct a draft. We aren't saying you have to draft every backup for your starting players, but getting the top backup or another guy that could end up stealing some playing time from your starter is a smart way of doing business, especially on your high-draft picks.

Also, every season there are position and injury concerns that arise before your draft. And you don't want to totally avoid those players, just be a diligent owner and get some insurance for those risks. Below is a list of tandems we recommend covering yourself with for the coming season. You don't want to be the owner that drafted Joseph Addai last season, but didn't use a pick on Dominic Rhodes.

This strategy normally just pertains to the running back position, especially if you consider most leagues start two backs and the position is a premium. But there are some quarterback situations to watch, especially if you are in deeper leagues. For the most part, we don't recommend drafting two quarterbacks on the same team. Most leagues start just one quarterback, so there are some talented options available without having to get two guys from the same team. Either way, some quarterback tandems are below the running backs.

Adrian Peterson/Chester Taylor, RBs, Vikings. This one is a no brainer. Peterson will be the top pick in most drafts, so you'll want his backup as insurance. Taylor could go a little sooner than most backups, though, because he has a lot of upside if he starts getting some playing time. Taylor has a track record of success in a starting role. So if you are lucky enough to nab Peterson for his coming season, you'll want to use a mid-round pick on Taylor.

LaDainian Tomlinson/Darren Sproles, RBs, Chargers. Tomlinson remains the starter in San Diego. His best days are probably behind him, but he should still have some big games. Sproles is likely to get a few more carries than your typical backup after providing some huge games for the Chargers last season. This will be a good tandem to have on your fantasy team. Sproles could be worth some spot starts in his current role, but would see his value skyrocket if Tomlinson were to get hurt, which has been an issue the pat few seasons.

Brandon Jacobs/Ahmad Bradshaw, RBs, Giants. Bradshaw was the No. 3 back last season, but gets a chance to backup Jacobs with Derrick Ward gone. The Giants do use a platoon system at running back, though, so Bradshaw will get a good amount of chances. But Jacobs has been injury prone, so getting Bradshaw as a No. 3 or 4 back if you take Jacobs is a good idea. Bradshaw is likely to produce solid numbers if he gets some chances to start in Jacobs' place.

Clinton Portis/LaDell Betts, RBs, Redskins. Portis played a full season last year, but battled injuries throughout the season. And he has been in the league a few years now, so the injuries could start to mount. So if you use a first or second-round pick on Portis, taking his backup, Betts, is probably a smart move. Betts hasn't been a huge factor in the Redskins running game the last few seasons, but has flashed some very good things in a starting role in past seasons. He has potential if Portis goes down.

Frank Gore/Glen Coffee, RBs, 49ers. Gore gets the label of being injury prone, but actually has missed just five games in four seasons. He gets nicked, but usually keeps playing and performing. Either way, he is a top back and high draft pick, so getting his backup is the smart thing for fantasy teams. Coffee, a rookie, is the likely backup. You should be able to grab him late in your draft, providing good insurance for Gore. Coffee has some potential to produce even if Gore is healthy. Coffee gives the 49ers a different look, using more of a power game than Gore.

Brian Westbrook/LeSean McCoy, RBs, Eagles. The Eagles lost top backup Correll Buckhalter, but used a second-round pick on McCoy to be the No. 2 back in Philly. Westbrook has a ton of touches the last few seasons and has battled knee problems off and on. He is an injury risk, but has high upside. McCoy is a top handcuff for Westbrook owners. He should be able to fill Westbrook's role admirably if called into a starting role. McCoy has a very similar skill set to Westbrook, getting it done as a runner and receiver.

Kurt Warner/Matt Leinart, QBs, Cardinals. Normally, we don't advise taking a handcuff for a quarterback. But if you have a deep roster, it isn't a bad idea if you have a guy like Warner as your starter. Warner isn't getting any younger and endured some injury problems in past seasons. He could go down at any time. Leinart hasn't exactly seized his chances when given a chance to start, but he can produce in a good Cardinals offense, making him a guy to consider come draft day for you Warner owners.

Matt Schaub/Dan Orlovsky, QBs, Texans. Similar to Warner, Schaub plays in a great passing game. He can't seem to stay healthy, though, and his backup has done well in past seasons. Orlovsky gets the chance to backup this season. He flashed some good things with the Lions the past few years, but moves to a much better offense. He could surprise if forced into a starting role. Again, if you have a deep roster and have Schaub as your starter, using a late-round pick on Orlovsky isn't a bad move.

Others to consider: Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams, RBs, Dolphins; Willie Parkers/Rashard Mendenhall, RBs, Steelers; Maurice Jones-Drew/Rashad Jennings, RB, Jags; Larry Johnson/Jamaal Charles, RBs, Chiefs; Matt Forte/Kevin Jones, RBs, Bears; Michael Turner/Jerious Norwood, RBs, Falcons.