Contrarian means opposing or rejecting popular opinion; going against the current practice. Being a contrarian in fantasy football is difficult because you’re taking a risk, but it can be a winning strategy. 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.
The 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
Cooper Kupp’s first game back helped Matthew Stafford throw four TD passes and 279 passing yards against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Stafford has shown high-end QB play with Kupp since he joined the Rams, who play Seattle, allowing the 12th most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Seattle’s defense has allowed four of the last five teams to throw for at least 245 yards. Puka Nacua and Jordan Whittington are questionable, so please monitor their status on Sunday. If they both play, then it further strengthens Stafford as a contrarian play.
The Baltimore Ravens defense has allowed three of their last four opponents to pass for at least 321 yards and opponents have averaged 30 PPG in those four games. Bo Nix had the best performance of his career last week with four total TDs and 284 passing yards. Nix also faces a vulnerable Ravens defense, which has a few defenders on the injury report as well.
Caleb Williams and the Bears offense disappointed last week, which is why he’s available as a contrarian play against one of the worst defenses in the NFL. The Arizona Cardinals' defense ranks 30th overall, 28th against the pass, 29th in pressure percentage, 31st in points per drive, and 32nd in third-down percentage. Williams threw multiple TD passes in three of his previous four games before last week and this could be a get-right game for the offense. Rushing is a cheat code in fantasy football for QBs and Williams is averaging 46 rushing yards per game over his last three games.
Jared Goff has thrown multiple TD passes in five straight games and named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. He’ll face an improved Packers defense this season, which ranks tenth in overall defense and seventh against the pass. However, two Green Bay starters in the secondary, Jaire Alexander and Evan Williams, haven’t practiced this week.
Saquon Barkley is an expensive RB to invest in this week, but it’s understandable. Barkley has earned over 100 scrimmage yards in all but one game this season and faces a Jacksonville defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to RBs. He ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards per carry-over expectation. Jacksonville trading away players also will diminish the morale and allow for a game script to favor Barkley running the football often.
David Montgomery has scored a rushing TD in 19 of his 24 games with the Detroit Lions. He’s scored 23 total TDs with the Lions with 8 of those TDs occurring in 2024. Montgomery has earned 70 or more total yards in every game this season except for last week. Green Bay ranks 13th against the run and allows the 17th-most fantasy points to RBs. Jahmyr Gibbs is earning more overall touches in the backfield, but Montgomery has averaged 21 touches against the Packers since arriving in Detroit.
James Cook has scored four TDs in his last three games and produced a season-high 133 total yards last week. He’s producing +0.38 rushing yards per carry-over expectation, which explains why he earned 19 or more touches in two of his last three games. Cook faces a Miami defense that’s allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to RBs this season.
Brian Robinson Jr scored a rushing TD in four straight games before last week against Chicago. Robinson has produced 71 or more total yards in five of seven games this season. He’s earning +0.71 rushing yards per carry-over expectation and will compete against the New York Giants on Sunday who rank 24th against the run. Jayden Daniels’ rib injury may prevent him from goal-line work and let Robinson get more rushing work. Robinson is limited on the injury report, due to a hamstring injury, so please monitor his status before the game.
New England is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs and opposing teams are averaging 133 rushing yards per game. Tyjae Spears won’t play this weekend and Tony Pollard is questionable after not practicing all week. If Pollard is listed as out on Sunday, I would pivot to Julius Chestnut., who is a bigger RB at 228 lbs and averaging 4.6 YPC this season. The matchup against the Patriots is too juicy to ignore here. Pollard is also an option in contrarian lineups if he’s active.
Cooper Kupp had 21 targets in week one and suffered an injury in week two. Last week he returned from injury to play only 58% of the offensive snaps. Kupp produced a TD and 51 receiving yards. These totals should increase as he’s not on the injury report. However, Nacua and Whittington are questionable to play and their absence will only increase the offensive focus on Kupp. Seattle’s defense has allowed 369 yards of offense or more in five straight games.
Tee Higgins is doubtful to play after not practicing all week. Ja'Marr Chase will benefit from Higgins's absence with more opportunities. Chase has scored each of the last two games but hasn’t produced one of his big games since week five. The Raiders rank 21st against the pass and they don’t have a CB ranked in PFF’s top 65 this season.
The Cowboys’ defense is a shell of what they were in early 2023. They rank 28th overall in the NFL and 23rd against the pass. Micah Parsons, DaRon Bland, and Jordan Phillips won’t play and Trevon Diggs hasn’t practiced all week and is listed as questionable. Dallas’ defense could be worse when they face Atlanta on Sunday. While Kyle Pitts is getting the attention in Atlanta after a two-TD performance, Darnell Mooney ranks second on the team in targets by a wide margin. Mooney has five or more targets in every game after week one. He’s only 25 yards and one TD away from being tied for the team lead in both categories.
Brian Thomas Jr. is a game-time decision and Gabe Davis is questionable for Sunday. If one or both of them don’t play, Parker Washington is a sneaky play for a contrarian lineup. Last week, Washington saw his first significant snap share and he produced 46 yards on only four targets. The Jaguars will likely be trailing for the majority of this game, which will create more passing opportunities. Washington’s cheap price tag is a bonus for a contrarian lineup.
Rome Odunze continues to be one of my favorite contrarian lineup plays. His FanDuel price of 5500 and DraftKings price of 4900 create stronger lineup decisions at other spots. Odunze has produced 40 or more receiving yards in three straight games, which creates a solid floor for a cheap value play. Arizona’s defense ranks 28th in the NFL against the pass and struggles pressuring the QB. The opportunity for a high-production game is there for Odunze, which adds to his value.
Reports are optimistic Jordan Love will play on Sunday, which positively impacts the Packers' skill players. Jayden Reed produced 78 or more yards in three of the initial five games of the season and 50 or more yards in four of those five games. However, Reed has produced less than 29 yards in two of the last three games. This dip in production is why he’s available as a contrarian play. Green Bay faces a Detroit defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing WRs. If Love doesn’t play, then I would avoid this contrarian play.
Evan Engram had 10 receptions for 102 yards in week six after returning from an injury. He’s only earned five targets in each of his last two games and produced at least 35 yards in each of them. The injuries to Kirk, Thomas Jr., and Davis will funnel more of the offense through Engram. The Eagles haven’t allowed many points to TEs this season, but targets are key in DFS.
Mark Andrews has scored four TDs in his last three games and produced at least 36 receiving yards in four straight games. Andrews is intriguing not only due to his recent production but also because of his price. He’s the 12th most expensive TE on DraftKings and 11th on FanDuel. Denver’s defense ranks first against the pass this season, but they’ll be without starting safety P.J. Locke.
Dalton Kincaid has been very consistent this season but hasn’t had a monster game. Kincaid has earned five or more targets in six straight games and has produced 31 or more yards in seven straight games. However, Kincaid’s season high in yards is only 52. PFF ranks Kincaid as the fifth-best overall TE, which means the ability for a big game is there. Amari Cooper and Curtis Samuel are questionable, which could create more opportunities for Kincaid.
All Tucker Kraft does is catch TDs. Well, that’s probably what the late Buddy Ryan would say of Kraft who has scored five TDs in his last five games. Kraft is very efficient as he’s only had four or fewer targets in each of the last three games. He possesses a clutch factor in the Green Bay offense by producing a big play when they need it most and is somehow always open. If Love starts at QB, then I like this contrarian play even more.
The Saints will be without Marshon Lattimore and Kool-Aid McKinstry. However, the Panthers' offense has been so abysmal this season that opposing defenses should be utilized. Carolina hasn’t gained 300 total yards or 15 points in a single game without Andy Dalton at QB. Bryce Young is starting on Sunday, but he will be without Diontae Johnson and likely Adam Thielen at WR and LT Ikem Ekwonu. The Panthers have turned the football over multiple times in four straight games.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a beat-up team. The skill position group lost Chrisitan Kirk for the season and Tank Bigsby, Travis Etienne Jr., Gabe Davis, and Brian Thomas Jr are questionable to play. The offensive line lost Cam Robinson due to a trade, Ezra Cleveland won’t play and Brandon Scherff is questionable for Sunday. Trevor Lawrence has played better football recently, but his play will dip due to the loss of talent around him. The Eagles defense hasn’t allowed an opponent to score 18 points or gain 281 yards in each of their last three games.