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
Contrarian Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow has been on fire in his last three games, averaging 345 passing yards and 4 TDs per contest. The Bengals’ defense has allowed an average of 33 points in each of the last four games, which helps create a negative game script for Burrow to throw the football more often. He’s a contrarian option because he’s facing the fourth-best defense in the NFL this week in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Something has to give between Burrow’s hot streak versus the Steeler's stout defense.
Jalen Hurts has accounted for 18 TDs in the Eagles’ seven games since the bye week, and that’s despite some missed time from DeVonta Smith, who is questionable to play, and Dallas Goedert. Hurts has averaged over 261 total yards in his last five games as well. He’ll face the 23rd overall-ranked Ravens defense, but they rank 31st against the pass.
C.J. Stroud has had an up-and-down sophomore season. He’s looked better recently with Nico Collins back in the lineup, and both of their numbers would improve if two TDs weren’t called back due to penalties. Stroud faces a Jacksonville defense ranked 32nd in the NFL against the pass and 31st in pressure %. Look for Stroud to have a bounce-back game on Sunday.
Will Levis has been a different QB since returning from an injury. He’s averaged over 272 yards per game with five passing TDs against two INTs and produced three of his top four games in yards per attempt. Washington’s defense has gone in reverse recently, as they’ve allowed an average of 28 points per game over their last four games, which include facing the Cowboys and Giants.
Contrarian Running Backs
The Jets rank 27th in points and offensive yards this season, which is shocking for an Aaron Rodgers-led offense and doesn’t feel like it can continue. Breece Hall doesn’t have a game with 19 rushing attempts, but he’s been more efficient recently. Only two of his initial seven games to start 2024 have included games above 3.4 yards per carry, but each of his last four games has been over 4.87 yards per carry. Hall is averaging 0.28 rushing YPC over expectation. He’s earned four or more targets in all but one game this year. Hall’s last game included 121 total yards and two TDs. Seattle ranks 17th in the NFL against the run and shouldn’t prevent Hall from a solid performance. Hall is questionable, so please check his status on Sunday.
Touches are key to DFS contrarian plays, and the good news is Najee Harris hasn’t had less than 18 touches in a game since week six. Harris hasn’t been efficient with those touches, but he faces the 30th-ranked run defense in the Bengals on Sunday. If you need more convincing, he has scored at least one TD in his last four games against Cincinnati.
Saquon Barkley being available as a contrarian play is wild to me. He had 302 total yards last week and has averaged 179 yards and a TD over his last six games. Baltimore ranks 2nd in the NFL against the run and first in YPC, allowing only 3.5. Barkley is in the zone and betting against him is a risk.
Over the last few games, the touch share has been leaning Bucky Irving’s way, and the snap share has been leaning Rachaad White’s way. White has scored six TDs in his last five games compared to Irving’s three. The good news for both players is they face the Panthers’ 31st-ranked run defense, which is allowing the most fantasy points to RBs on the season. Carolina has allowed over 100 rushing yards to eight straight teams and only one opponent has scored less than 22 points.
Contrarian Wide Receivers
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine made this article last week, and he delivered it with a TD. He’s scored a TD in six of his last seven games. Westbrook-Ikhine has benefitted from the DeAndre Hopkins trade with an increase in targets and snap share over the last five games. He’ll face a Washington defense ranked 25th against the pass. Pairing Levis with Westbrook-Ikhine is a cheap stacking option for a contrarian lineup if you’re going to spend up at other positions.
Terry McLaurin could see an increase in targets this week with Austin Ekeler out, and the Titans’ defensive backfield isn’t at full strength. L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie are out. Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Roger McCreary, and Justin Hardee Sr. were all limited in at least one practice this week, and Amani Hooker has been dealing with an illness. The Titans rank 18th in the NFL in pass defense. Jayden Daniels has at least 32 pass attempts in five of his last six full games, which contributes to the consistent production of McLaurin who has scored a TD or earned 98 yards in nine of his last ten games.
Darnell Mooney doesn’t have an injury designation but was held out of practice on Friday to rest an Achilles injury. Double-check his status on Sunday. Before the last game against Denver, Mooney had earned five or more targets in nine straight games, and he averaged over 74 receiving yards per game. He’ll face a Chargers defense allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing WRs.
Jordan Addison looked great against Chicago, catching eight of nine targets for 162 yards and a TD. Addison has scored a TD in three of his last four games and has earned 17 targets over the last two games. He’s become a focal point in the passing game and now faces the Cardinals’ 22nd-ranked pass defense. Arizona’s starting S Jalen Thompson has been limited all week and he’s questionable to play.
Marvin Harrison Jr.. has earned five or more targets in nine of the last ten games, but he’s only produced one game of over 55 yards in his last eight games. Arizona plays on the road against a Vikings team that should create a passing game script for the Cardinals’ offense. The Vikings are allowing the second-most fantasy points to WRs on the season. Harrison Jr. is due for a big game and he has a reasonable salary in DFS for a contrarian play.
The Panthers will be without Jalen Coker and Ja’tavion Sanders on Sunday, and Adam Thielen logged a limited practice this week as well. Xavier Legette has averaged just under six targets per game over his last four contests and should benefit from the attrition to see an increase. He’s scored three TDs in his last six games and has multiple rushing attempts as well. Legette has produced at least 34 total yards in four straight games. Tampa Bay ranks 28th in pass defense. Legette is a cheap salary option for a contrarian lineup.
Contrarian Tight Ends
Dalton Schultz is a cheap salary option play that’s due for a TD. Schultz scored five TDs last year with Stroud and has scored at least four TDs in each of the last four seasons. But Schultz has failed to reach the endzone one time in 2024. Schultz has been on the field for 70 or more percent of the snaps in all but one game this season and has multiple targets in every game. He’ll face a Jacksonville defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to TEs this season.
Taysom Hill produced 188 total yards and three TDs last week, but one thing not to ignore is ten targets. The Saints are without Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, so they’re looking for someone other than Alvin Kamara to target in the passing game. Hill’s seven carries were a season-high with Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams out. Hill has earned six or more touches in all but one game this year. Williams is questionable to play this week, but he only has 36 total touches on the season and hasn’t had more than five touches since week two. The Saints host a Rams defense that just let Barkley earn over 300 total yards. Hill is a valuable piece of the Saints' offense and he’ll have plenty of opportunity against a middling Rams defense.
Mark Andrews has scored six TDs in his last seven games but is underpriced at $5600. He’s averaging 45 yards over his last eight games, which includes two of the best defenses against TEs. Andrews will face an Eagles defense allowing the fifth least fantasy points to TEs. Andrews isn’t performing like the elite version from earlier in his career, but he’s scoring TEs and is productive. A good combination for a contrarian play.
Above, I mentioned Mooney was resting an Achilles, but Drake London was limited in practice with a hip, KhaDarel Hodge was limited with a neck, Casey Washington was limited due to a concussion, and Charlie Woerner was limited with a concussion. All of these pass catchers should suit up but may not be at full strength, which could help a contrarian Kyle Pitts play. Pitts is talented and has spike weeks all over his career. He had a four-game stretch this year with 65 or more receiving yards in every game. Pitts has a tough matchup in a Chargers top 5 pass defense, but he carries a low salary.
Contrarian Team Defenses
Both of these defenses are expensive, which contributes to their low roster percentage.
Carolina has won two of their last three games, with the only loss coming in overtime. However, the offense has only averaged 23 points with 295 yards per game. Last week was the first time the Panthers haven’t committed a turnover since week three. Carolina’s offense ranks 27th in the NFL overall, 29th in points scored, 27th in 3rd down %, and 25th in yards gained per play. Tampa Bay’s defense has forced a turnover in nine of their last ten games. The Panthers will be without Coker and Sanders, while Thielen was limited in practice on Friday. The Bucs won’t have two starters in the secondary as well, but it’s tough to instill confidence in Bryce Young to exploit defenses.
Trevor Lawrence is expected to return to the field after missing two games, but it’s difficult to gauge the health of his shoulder and his potential level of play. Lawrence’s last game was the worst performance of the season, and he’s thrown an INT in four of his last five games. Jacksonville is the 25th-ranked offense in the NFL, while Houston’s defense only ranks 18th. However, the Texans have forced ten turnovers in the last three games and 20 turnovers in the last seven games.