10 Players Whose Fantasy Stock Went Down Without Changing Teams
Tuesday we identified 10 players who weren’t free agents this offseason but are potential big winners from free agency. Now let’s look at some players who have lost fantasy value base on other moves their teams have made:
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
“Jefferson, a loser? Come on Fabs, are you drunk?” Alright I get it, but hear me out. After losing Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons, the Vikings’ starting quarterback for next season is going to be either a rookie or Sam Darnold. Sorry, but that’s a major downgrade either way. I know Jefferson’s a stud, but his ceiling could take a hit. The same goes for teammates Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, too.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
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Rice had a spectacular rookie season that saw him become a fantasy league winner in the second half. In fact, he saw 22.3% of the targets in his final seven games. No other wideout on the team saw more than 10.3% in that time. That’s likely to change next season, though, as the Chiefs added playmaking receiver Marquise Brown to the pass attack. His presence will hurt Rice’s potential ceiling next season.
Brian Robinson Jr., WR, Washington Commanders
Robinson Jr. showed some real potential last season, finishing 21st in fantasy points among running backs. The offseason loss to Antonio Gibson might have opened up a chance for him to be a featured back next season, but that door closed when the team signed Austin Ekeler. His presence puts a huge dent into Robinson’s upside in the stat sheets, making him more of a flex starter in 2024 fantasy drafts.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Tennessee Titans
Hopkins is coming off his worst season in the stat sheets, averaging a modest 13.2 points. That’s the lowest full season total he’s produced since 2016. Now with Ridley in the mix, Hopkins won’t even be the more attractive fantasy wideout on his team since his first season in Houston. What’s more, Hopkins, 31, might not even be worth picking as a No. 3 wideout or flex starter in upcoming fantasy drafts.
DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
Moore put up a strong first season with the Bears, posting career bests in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns. Unfortunately for Moore, at least in fantasy land, he’ll now have to compete with Keenan Allen for targets in what is suddenly a Bears offense chock full of talent. Allen, who had 150 targets in 13 games last season, is destined to dent Moore’s upside, making him a less attractive No. 2 option.
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
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When I think of Herbert, I think of that video of Will Smith in an empty room on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. The Chargers released Mike Williams, traded Allen to Chicago, lost Ekeler to the Commanders and Gerald Everett to the Bears. That leaves Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer as his top wideouts. Yikes. The Bolts do seem destined to draft an elite receiver prospect – either Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze – at No. 5 overall, but that doesn’t change the fact that Herbert is going to come with a lot more questions next season.
Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers
Thielen was one of the more pleasant fantasy surprises of last season, putting up nice fantasy totals in his age-33 campaign. In fact, he led the Panthers in targets, catches, receiving yards and touchdowns, but that is destined to change with Diontae Johnson in the mix. The younger, more talented Johnson is likely to be the top option for Bryce Young, leaving Thielen less attractive in fantasy drafts.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
Spears looked poised to take on a much bigger role in the Titans offense once it was obvious Derrick Henry was moving on as a free agent. Unfortunately, he won’t get that chance with the addition of Tony Pollard. The former Cowboy’s presence isn’t a complete death blow to Spears, who will see his share of the backfield touches, but being the No. 2 option in a committee makes Spears a less viable option in fantasy land.
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears
Kmet was eighth in fantasy points among tight ends last season, finishing with 90 targets and over 700 receiving yards. Those totals appear to be unattainable in 2024, however, as the Bears added Keenan Allen and Gerald Everett to a pass attack that already featured DJ Moore. So, unless injuries occur, Kmet has almost no chance to duplicate those totals. He’s now a low-end TE1 at best.
Dallas Cowboys offense
The Cowboys didn’t do a thing on the offensive side of the football. Well, except for losing their starting running back (Pollard) and two starting linemen (Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz) and cutting receiver Michael Gallup. With no good free agents options left, the Pokes are likely to draft their runner of the future (who’ll instantly be a huge sleeper). They’re also likely to draft an offensive lineman in Round 1 (and probably a few more), but for now this offense is on the loser list in fantasy land.
Related: 10 Players Whose Fantasy Stock Went Up Without Changing Teams