NFL Week 14 DFS Contrarian Picks: Derek Carr, James Cook & More
NFL Week 14 is here, and we have another fantastic DFS main slate to play. Let the season-long fantasy football world whine and cry about Bymageddon II and why they failed to make the playoffs. We’re over here building winning DFS lineups and going after that big GPP money.
As we’ve mentioned in the past, having the right DFS contrarian picks in your lineups is important if you want to take down the big GPP money, but it’s more than just looking at our NFL DFS Ownership projections and seeing who is projected to be lower-owned. The matchups need to be on-point as well. In fact, we’re looking for situations that are even more favorable, yet the public has not yet unearthed it.
It was a tough run last week as Kyler Murray failed to live up to his potential, Quentin Johnston was another no-show and Tony Pollard got game-flowed out, but all was not lost as we hit at the tight end position.
Pat Freiermuth had six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown, and he was at less than six-percent ownership in most multi-entry GPP tournaments which, for the position, is a huge day. It almost makes me want to go back to him again this week. Hmmmm.
But enough chit-chat. Let’s get to our favorite NFL Week 14 DFS contrarian picks:
NFL Week 14 DFS Contrarian Picks
- Derek Carr, QB New Orleans Saints ($5,100 DK; $7,100 FD)
- James Cook, RB Buffalo Bills ($7,400 DK; $8,500 FD)
- Darnell Mooney, WR Atlanta Falcons ($5,500 DK; $5,900 FD)
- Pat Freiermuth, TE Pittsburgh Steelers ($3,800 DK; $5,500 FD)
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Raiders.com reporter Levi Edwards said WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. “has already become a top target” for Geno Smith.
Edwards writes, Thornton is “using his speed to get vertical down the field,” towers “over smaller defenders in the middle of the field and [uses] his acceleration to create separation consistently.” Questioning Thornton’s 2025 fantasy impact is reasonable. In a best-case outcome, Thornton would likely be operating as the No. 4 receiving weapon behind Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers and Ashton Jeanty, leaving him with an unreliable target share. Still, this is the second positive report on Thornton in as many weeks. Perhaps, the Raiders found a starter in the fourth round. Stay tuned.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan said Darius Slayton has formed a “really quality connection” with Russell Wilson.
Raanan notes that Malik Nabers has been sidelined, but Slayton’s “really solid” spring showing, coupled with Jalin Hyatt’s minor leg injury, bodes positively for Slayton’s grip on the No. 2 perimeter role. If Hyatt can get healthy and improve his play, he could challenge Slayton in-season, but for now, it appears as though the Giants’ steady 28-year-old field-stretcher will continue doing his thing. He can be treated as a volatile, likely matchup-based flex option.
Saints waived RB Xazavian Valladay.
The Saints also waived S Tra Fluellen and correspondingly signed CB Jayden Price, TE Seth Green and OT Barry Wesley. Cam Akers’ recent signing made Valladay obsolete, while also putting Kendre Miller, Devin Neal and Clyde Edwards-Helaire on notice.
Giants WR Jalin Hyatt suffered a “minor” leg injury during Tuesday’s mandatory minicamp practice.
It’s an unfortunate development for a player who Raanan described as having made “plays downfield early in camp” and looking like a better, “more confident player.” Raanan also downplayed Hyatt’s purported 15-20-pound weight gain, though he did say Hyatt “did put on weight.” Hopefully, Hyatt can get healthy in time for the start of training camp next month.
Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the Rams and Chargers are among Jalen Ramsey’s preferred landing spots.
Schefter said Ramsey “would like to go to the West Coast,” and specifically named Los Angeles as the ideal city. Schefter also believes a deal should happen before training camps begin in mid-July. Both the Rams and Chargers have more than $20 million available in salary cap space this year, which should make a new deal doable if Ramsey requests one post-trade, though he is under contract through 2028 on his current deal.
Christian Watson (knee) posted a video of himself running a route during a private workout.
Watson notably tagged a physical therapist in the post, ostensibly suggesting he is running and cutting under supervision by a medical professional. In the video, Watson can be seen running up and out, cutting left and right before striding downfield. It is difficult to measure Watson’s speed and exertion, but this video is, of course, positive. Watson suffered a torn ACL in Week 18 (January 5th, 2025). His surgery date and expected return date remain unknown, however, players typically return to play 10-12 months following ACL reconstruction.