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.
Does playing contrarian in DFS really work? YES! I’ve won good money in DFS in three out of five weeks using a contrarian play or two per lineup.
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
After a rocky start to the season, Bryce Young has settled in over the last three games averaging 233 passing yards with five total touchdowns against two interceptions. Young has averaged 15.82 DFS points over the last three games as well. This week he’ll face a below-average Colts pass defense, who will be without starting CB Julius Brents.
The Chicago Bears defense will be without the services of Jaquan Brisker, Terell Smith, and Tremaine Edmunds for Sunday’s contest against the Saints. Derek Carr has thrown for 300 yards in three straight games and averaged 18.02 DFS points over those contests. He’ll face a Chicago defense that is tied for the third-highest QB passer rating allowed and allows the highest percentage of red zone visits turned into touchdowns.
The Baltimore Ravens are arguably the best defense in the NFL in 2023. However, Geno Smith has played well this season. The Cleveland Browns defense is in the conversation with Baltimore and Smith threw for 254 yards two touchdowns and two interceptions last week. Smith will get a boost this week as DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are off of the injury report. While the low roster percentage already helps, if you play in FanDuel, Smith is shockingly cheap this week too.
Mac Jones has thrown two touchdowns in each of his last two games. This week, he’ll face a Washington defense allowing the second-highest QB passer rating in the NFL and the second-most points allowed per game. The Patriots will be without DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne. However, Washington just lost their top two pass rushers, which will continue to hurt the confidence of this defense.
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