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.
Do mix in one or two of these players within a lineup to maximize individuality.
Do not create your entire lineup based on the contrarian picks below.
For accountability purposes, how did my picks perform last week?
Quarterbacks
Hits = Brock Purdy led his position in points and Matt Stafford finished fourth.
Push = Kenny Pickett was injured early in the game.
Miss = Jared Goff finished tied for eleventh, which is too low given his salary.
Running Backs
Hits = Despite leaving the game early, Derrick Henry finished fourth among RBs.
Push = Kyren Williams was tenth among RBs but had a high salary. Najee Harris finished with 77 total yards but didn’t reach the end zone for a cheaper option.
Miss = Bijan Robinson and Raheem Mostert finished below expectations.
Wide Receivers
Hits = Deebo Samuel was second in points among WRs and Puka Nacua finished eleventh.
Push = Brandon Aiyuk and Diontae Johnson both scored touchdowns but low yardage.
Miss = Adam Thielen and Terry McLaurin were duds.
Tight Ends
Hits = Brevin Jordan earned 64 yards on a very cheap salary and Taysom Hill earned 74 total yards with a touchdown.
Push = Gerald Everett earned 44 yards.
Miss = Pat Freiermuth wasn’t overly productive with his five targets.
Defenses
Hits = The Chargers produced five sacks, a fumble recovery, and shut out their opponent.
Push =
Miss = Pittsburgh had two sacks, but no turnovers and allowed 24 points.
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
Reading the name Zach Wilson on this list will make many feel uncomfortable, which is why he’s low-rostered and carries a cheap salary. Wilson’s last three full starts averaged 284 total yards per game, which is more than enough for a contrarian play. The Jets have struggled running the football the last two months and Breece Hall may not play. If C.J. Stroud continues his past performance, then the Jets should have a negative game script to encourage more passing for Wilson. The Texan’s defense has allowed the fourth most fantasy points to QBs this season.
Last week, Gardner Minshew turned in his best game in a month with 312 passing yards, two TDs, and a 100.5 QB passer rating. Without Jonathan Taylor out, the Colts have leaned on the passing game with more than 40 pass attempts in the last two games. The Bengals' defense has allowed 294 passing yards on average over their last four games.
Most of the time this season when the Buccaneers have struggled to run the football Baker Mayfield has increased his pass attempts. In games the Bucs have rushed for less than 82 yards, Mayfield has averaged five more pass attempts per game. The first matchup against Atlanta resulted in 42 pass attempts from Mayfield as Tampa Bay only earned 73 rushing yards. On the season, the Falcons are the second-best run defense in the NFL in expected points added and are tied for seventh in yards per carry allowed. The two starting CBs for Atlanta are questionable for Sunday as well.
Joshua Dobbs struggled in his last start throwing four interceptions, but the Vikings are sticking with him as the starter. They’ve had a bye week to correct mistakes and help develop a rapport with Justin Jefferson returning from an injury. Rushing QBs is a cheat code and the Raiders are allowing the seventh-most yards per carry to QBs this season and the fifth-most explosive runs to QBs. Dobbs had a five-game streak with a rushing TD snapped in his last start while averaging 37 rushing yards in his last seven games. The Raiders have allowed an average of 290 passing yards over their last three games.
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