Contrarian means opposing or rejecting popular opinion, going against the current practice. Being a contrarian in fantasy football is difficult because it's not chalk as the DFS kids would call it today. Risk is involved, but it could be a league-winning selection. Contrarian is where the big money is made within DFS, especially in large tournaments, because you'll submit more unique lineups than your competitors.
Mix one or two of these players within a lineup to maximize individuality.
Do not create your entire lineup based on the contrarian picks below.
Key for charts:
- Player = recommended contrarian play
- Opponent = Home or away and the opponent
- FD Roster % = This week's FanDuel roster percentages
- FD Salary = FanDuel salary to roster the player
- DK Roster % = This week's DraftKings roster percentages
- DK Salary = DraftKings salary to roster the player
CONTRARIAN QUARTERBACKS
Jacoby Brissett has filled in admirably the last two weeks for Sam Howell. He’s thrown for a combined 224 yards and three TDs with zero turnovers. Brissett has thrown nine TDs against only one INT when including 2023 and his last four starts of the 2022 season. The 49ers' defense is one of the best in the NFL, but Brissett performed well against a better pass defense from the Jets last week. Also, keep in mind that Brissett is playing for his chance to be a starter in the NFL and he has good weapons in Washington to aid him. Brissett should have more time in the pocket with 49er star DL Arik Armstead not playing this week. Be sure to monitor the injury report because Brissett is questionable with hamstring tightness.
The Rams are fighting for the last playoff spot, which makes every game count. Matt Stafford is leading that charge by throwing for multiple TDs in five consecutive games and 14 TDs total. The Rams are trusting Stafford by allowing him to pass a minimum of 31 times in each of the last six games. Besides the hot streak of TD passes, Stafford has rewarded the Rams by not turning the ball over in the last four games. They’ll play an average Giants pass defense, but they could be without starting CB Deonte Banks, who is questionable.
It feels odd to trust Derek Carr this season but hear me out. The Saints have a high motivation to finish strong by being within one game of the division lead and one game of the last wild card spot. Carr has played well the last three weeks by passing for eight TD passes against two INTs. Last week may have been his best game of the season with a 106.1 QB passer rating, three TD passes, and 319 passing yards. His division-leading opponent, Tampa Bay, is one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. A bonus for Carr is Tampa Bay will be without starting CB Carlton Davis and best pass rusher Shaq Barrett. Alvin Kamara is questionable with an illness, which could prompt even more passing for the Saints.
Last week, Bryce Young had his best game as a pro by throwing for 312 yards, two TD passes, and a 110 QB passer rating. He faces a softer pass defense this week in Jacksonville, which allows the sixth-most fantasy points to QBs. With jobs on the line in Carolina, the Panthers have something to play for and have been playing better recently.
CONTRARIAN RUNNING BACKS
The second half of the season hasn’t been kind to Travis Etienne. His efficiency, TDs, and overall production have decreased. However, the playoffs are on the line for Jacksonville as they’ve lost four games in a row and lost five of their last seven games. Trevor Lawrence will not be playing, which should make Jacksonville lean on Etienne and the run game more than they have during this losing streak. The Panthers rank 20th in the NFL in run defense and give up the 19th most fantasy points to RBs on the season. However, Aaron Jones looked rejuvenated last week by running for 127 yards and averaging six yards per carry against this same Panthers defense.
Jonathan Taylor’s return to the field didn’t go as planned last week as he totaled 43 yards and averaged less than 2.4 yards per carry. However, the Falcons were second in the NFL in run defense and it wasn’t something I should’ve overlooked. This week, Taylor will race a Raiders defense that ranks 12th in the NFL against the run but has given up the eighth most fantasy points to RBs on the season. The Colts trailed for the majority of that game, which I don’t see as the case this week. Taylor is a superstar and it’s rare to be able to use a player of his caliber in a contrarian lineup.
The Kansas City Chiefs have lost three of their last four games and five of their last eight games. The Bengals may be playing the Chiefs at the right time and Joe Mixon could capitalize. The Chiefs' run defense ranks 27th in the NFL and allows the seventh most fantasy points to RBs. Mixon hasn’t run for 90 yards in a single game this season or caught 50 yards in a game this season. But Mixon does provide a high-floor option with scoring four TDs in the last four games and catching at least two passes per game since week five. He has gained a minimum of 50 total yards in each of his last six games as well. Mixon could flirt with 100 total yards and a score against a soft run defense with a close or positive game script.
Josh Jacobs is doubtful to play this week and has missed games due to a quad injury. Zamir White took full advantage of his opportunity last week by rushing for 145 yards against the Chiefs. White has 39 carries in the last two games and totaled 214 rushing yards. This week White will play a Colts defense that ranks 28th in the NFL against the run and has allowed the second-most fantasy points to RBs this season.
The Arizona Cardinals' defense made the Chicago Bears struggling run game comes to life last week. D’Andre Swift gets to play against the Cardinals' run defense this week, which ranks 30th in the NFL and allowed the third-most fantasy points to RBs. With the playoffs around the corner, I could see the Eagles leaning more on Swift and less on Jalen Hurts in the run game because they don’t want any injuries like last season. Hurts has only had double-digit carries in one of the last four games, while he had double-digit carries in four of the five previous games in weeks seven to eleven. Swift has averaged 19 carries in his last two games and should have even more this week against Arizona.
CONTRARIAN WIDE RECEIVERS
Photos provided by Imagn Images
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