Sadly, not everything is sunshine and rainbows in fantasy football land.

While there were plenty of winners following free agency, there were also a handful of losers. With the NFL Draft up next, more can change. But for now, here are four of the top fantasy losers post-free agency.

RELATED: Fantasy Football Losers From Free Agency

Post-Free Agency Fantasy Football Losers

De’Von Achane | RB | MIA

“But, Adam. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are gone, meaning Achane will see all of the targets in Miami.”

Not so fast.

Yes, of course, Achane will remain involved in the passing game this season. But the quarterback change can’t be overlooked. Going from Tua Tagovailoa to Malik Willis will impact Achane’s target volume. Over the past two seasons, Willis has had a very healthy 15% scramble rate, while only sporting a checkdown rate of 6.7%. Tagovailoa, meanwhile, has recorded a 2.5% scramble rate and 14.5% checkdown rate during that same span. Between Tua’s inability to run and head coach Mike McDaniel’s schemed touches to running backs, it’s no secret why Achane averaged 72.5 receptions and 86 targets over the last two years.

A dip in targets is always a concern, but especially in an offense that won’t be as fantasy-friendly without McDaniel calling plays. Last year, Achane saw 20 targets from motion, which was tied for the fifth-most among running backs. And in 2024, no running back saw more motion targets than Achane (31). Despite the elite talent and home run-hitting ability, Achane is probably the player I’m most avoiding in Round 1 of fantasy drafts.

DK Metcalf | WR | PIT

Despite playing alongside Calvin Austin, Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Metcalf still ranked just 33rd in TPRR (21.4%), 26th in target share (22%) and 25th in PPR PPG (12.1). Now the Steelers have Michael Pittman Jr., someone who can actually command targets, to take meaningful volume away from Metcalf. Pittsburgh will likely be more pass-happy under Mike McCarthy, but it is still difficult to project tremendous volume from Metcalf, who has historically gotten there off touchdowns and explosive plays. The quarterback situation is still a question mark in Pittsburgh, but even if it’s once again Aaron Rodgers, that might actually benefit Pittman Jr., not Metcalf.

Last season, Rodgers averaged just 6.0 intended air yards per pass attempt, the lowest mark among qualified signal callers. Meanwhile, his 33.3% deep ball completion rate ranked 33rd among all quarterbacks, resulting in just 15 targets of 20-plus air yards from Metcalf, his fewest in a season of his career. Pittman Jr., meanwhile, meshes better with Rodgers’ quick-hitting, timing-based tendencies, especially at this point in his career. 

RJ Harvey | RB | DEN

It’s pretty clear the Broncos aren’t interested in making Harvey their every-down running back.

After being linked to Kenneth Walker, David Montgomery and Travis Etienne, the Broncos ended up re-signing J.K. Dobbins to a two-year, $20-million deal. When healthy last season, Dobbins, per usual, was very efficient, ranking seventh in yards per carry (5.0), fourth in yards over expected per attempt (+1.1), 12th in success rate (44.4%) and third in runs of 10-plus yards per game (2.1). His presence relegated Harvey to mostly a pass-catching role, as Dobbins handled 51% of snaps, 65% of the rush attempts and 70% of the inside the five carries from Weeks 1-10. Following Dobbin’s season-ending injury, Harvey took over as the lead back, averaging 15.2 PPR PPG from Weeks 11-18, 14th among running backs. But it was mainly due to touchdowns, as Harvey wasn’t exactly the most efficient player during that stretch. 

Heading into 2026, I’d expect Dobbins to operate as, at the very least, the 1A in this Denver backfield, with Harvey dominating pass game usage. But a path to the sophomore taking over doesn’t appear to be there.

Khalil Shakir | WR | BUF

Shakir is a very good football player, but he’s not a WR1.

At least, he shouldn’t be.

But because the Bills wide receiver room has been so disappointing since the departure of Stefon Diggs, that has basically been Shakir’s role. He’s seen 95 and 100 targets over the last two seasons, ranking as fantasy’s WR36 during that span. Those are low, low numbers for a de facto WR1 in an offense, but now that role is likely gone. Buffalo sent a second-round pick for DJ Moore this offseason, who should immediately step in and lead this team in targets. And because Shakir’s fantasy value has come from screens and yards after the catch, any drop in volume is a serious issue.

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