Best Ball Scout Championship
Wed Apr 17 9:26am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Get in the Scout Championship
RealTime Fantasy Sports is once again very excited to bring you the Best Ball Scout Championship this season. This contest is a little different from our normal Best Ball Championship. All these drafts take place before the NFL Draft, so you don’t know where any of the rookies are going this year. You are taking them blindly. This makes for even more strategy come draft day. Should you load up on rookies? Should you just avoid rookies? What is the winning strategy? We are here to help.
First of all, the winner of the Best Ball Scout Championship takes home $10,000. You also win money for finishing first or second in your 10-team league. The cost to enter the contest is just $20. There are a maximum of 10,000 teams in this contest. Rosters are 20 deep with starters consisting of a QB, two RBs, two WRs, one TE and two FLEX spots. There are no kickers and defenses. Remember, this is a best ball contest, so there is no roster management. Your roster is set once the draft is complete.
With that said, we thought it would be a good idea to look at the championship roster from last year to see what won it all. Here it is:
Round 1: Ja’Marr Chase, WR
Round 2: Davante Adams, WR
Round 3: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR
Round 4: DeVonta Smith, WR
Round 5: Deebo Samuel, WR
Round 6: George Kittle, TE
Round 7: Keenan Allen, WR
Round 8: Joe Mixon, RB
Round 9: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB
Round 10: Dak Prescott, QB
Round 11: Khalil Herbert, RB
Round 12: Jared Goff, QB
Round 13: Raheem Mostert, RB
Round 14: Ezekiel Elliott, RB
Round 15: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB
Round 16: Leonard Fournette, RB
Round 17: Tyler Boyd, WR
Round 18: Taysom Hill, TE
Round 19: Zach Ertz, TE
Round 20: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB
The big thing to notice on this roster is just one rookie was taken. Obviously, this owner hit big with that one rookie, taking Jahmyr Gibbs in Round 9. Gibbs was the 10th rated fantasy back last season. But the championship team from last year took just one rookie. This owner did not load up on rookies and waited until the middle rounds to take his one rookie target. This could be a good lesson learned for owners this season. Maybe going early on rookies or taking several is a losing strategy. Just something to keep in mind this year.
And like with many best ball owners, this roster had three quarterbacks and three tight ends. This owner did not take a quarterback early, waiting to take a quarterback until Round 10. But the owner did got a little early on a tight end, getting George Kittle in Round 6.
The other winning strategy for this owner was loading up on receivers early while waiting to get his running backs until later. This was a very interesting strategy that worked. The owner took five straight receivers to start the draft and didn’t get a running back until Joe Mixon was picked in Round 8. This is a little riskier but another strategy that can obviously worked. Take those sure thing receivers first and get a bunch of question mark running backs in the mid- to later rounds and hope some hit. The big hits for this owner was his pick of Gibbs and getting Raheem Mostert in Round 13. The Mostert pick likely was the big one that put him over the top, getting the fifth rated fantasy back in the back half of the draft. The owners also had some misses at running back with Leonard Fournette and Clyde Edwards-Helaire but that didn’t impact his team too much, hitting on some of those other backs.
So overall, the winning strategy of last year’s Best Ball Scout championship team was going early on receivers, loading up on running backs with question marks in the middle to later rounds, take few rookies and wait on the quarterback spot.
There are numerous strategies to use but this was the winning one from last year. Just something to think about when drafting your team in this year’s Best Ball Scout Championship. Start drafting here.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pick Em Picks: Week 10
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 10
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 10
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 10
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 10
- Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence to sit out vs. Vikings
- Chargers activate Gus Edwards (ankle) off IR; RB questionable vs. Titans
- Cowboys LB Micah Parsons (ankle) to return
- Texans activate WR Nico Collins (hamstring) off IR
- Cowboys QB Dak Prescott likely to have season-ending surgery
- 49ers' Christian McCaffrey off IR, slated to make season debut vs. Bucs
- Roger Goodell: NFL working on adding Berlin game
- Former first-rounder Terrell Edmunds released as Steelers shuffle roster
- Panthers DL D.J. Wonnum expected make season debut vs. Giants
- Colts promote WR Laquon Treadwell to roster for game vs. Bills
- Dolphins coach on Tyreek Hill: 'If his body lets him, he'll play'
- Saints WR Chris Olave (concussion) to land on IR
- Top 10 Player Props for NFL Week 10
- 49ers star RB Christian McCaffrey questionable, will come off IR
- Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) out vs. Steelers
- Falcons WR Drake London (hip) questionable vs. Saints
- Titans tab QB Will Levis to start vs. Chargers
- Eagles coach: QB Jalen Hurts limited by ankle, or just resting
- Colts rule out WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back, finger)
- Jets' kicking carousel continues with Anders Carlson in, Riley Patterson out
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Start-Sit Week 10 | Is Russell Wilson Still Cooking?
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Six Pack: IDP Football Rankings
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Players to Stash Week 10 | Gonzo For Jonnu
- Fantasy Life: Important Week 10 News Updates
- Fantasy Life: Betting Edges For The Week 10 Late Slate
- Fantasy Life: Fantasy Football Streamers For Week 10: Can Daniel Jones Get It Done?
- Fantasy Life: Underdog and PrizePicks Week 10 NFL DFS Pick'em: Play Dalton Kincaid
- Fantasy Life: Jayden Daniels' Steely Test Tops Week 10 Early Betting Slate
The Paur Report
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 10
- Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pick Em Picks: Week 10
- RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 10
- Injury Status: Week 10
- The Weekly Bender: NFL Trade Deadline Fantasy Fallout
- Lineup Prep: Week 10
- Waivering: Week 10
- Studs and Duds: Week 9
- Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pick Em Picks: Week 9
- Week 10 Player Rankings
- Week 10 Inactives
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. He had been listed as questionable. McMillan missed two consecutive practices before returning in a limited capacity on Friday, so his availability for Week 10 is notable at the very least. The 22-year-old has appeared in six games this season, catching 10 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown. His best game came in Week 8 when he started with Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle). In that contest, he played 81 percent of the offensive snaps, turning seven targets into a career-high four catches and 35 yards. He'll look to build on that stat line this week with Evans still sidelined and Godwin done for the year.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a healthy inactive yet again on Sunday in a Week 10 divisional matchup against the visiting Denver Broncos. It's the fourth straight game that Edwards-Helaire has been a healthy scratch for the Chiefs, with Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine and rookie Carson Steele ahead of him on the RB depth chart. The 25-year-old was on the Non-Football Illness list earlier this season due to personal issues and is well off the fantasy radar, especially Isiah Pacheco (leg) hoping to return from a broken leg before the end of the season. CEH has been one of the few Chiefs' draft busts in recent years after they took him 32nd overall in the first round in 2020 out of LSU. Edwards-Helaire has yet to see the field in 2024.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (groin) is officially inactive for Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons. He had been listed as questionable. The veteran running back logged two limited practices before downgrading to a non-participant Friday. He has appeared in eight games this season, tallying just 124 rushing yards and 21 receiving yards. With Williams sidelined and Kendre Miller (hamstring) on injured reserve, the Saints will call upon a combination of Taysom Hill and Jordan Mims to back up Alvin Kamara on Sunday. Kamara is the only Saints running back currently on the fantasy radar.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder), as expected, is officially inactive in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Lawrence was never expected to play this weekend after suffering an AC joint sprain in his left (non-throwing) shoulder in the Week 9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It was reported on Sunday morning that Lawrence could also be in danger of missing the rest of the season because of his shoulder injury. It's just the second time in the 25-year-old's four-year career that he'll be missing a game, paving the way for backup Mac Jones to make his first start of 2024. The Jaguars have a bye in Week 12, so Lawrence will probably sit out the Week 11 contest against the Detroit Lions. With Jones now leading a struggling Jaguars offense, fantasy managers should downgrade all of the Jaguars' pass-catchers.
From RotoBaller
The Minnesota Vikings have declared DT Levi Drake Rodriguez, OG Dan Feeney, CB Dwight McGlothern, DB Fabian Moreau, QB Brett Rypien and OT Walter Rouse inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
The New England Patriots have declared S Kyle Dugger, DL Eric Johnson, OL Tyrese Robinson, QB Joe Milton III, LB Christian Elliss, WR Tyquan Thornton and DL Yannick Ngakoue inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
The New Orleans Saints have declared QB Spencer Rattler, WR Cedrick Wilson, DT Khristian Boyd, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, RB Jamaal Williams, OG Lucas Patrick and LB Jaylan Ford inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
The Indianapolis Colts have declared DL Adam Gotsis, WR Anthony Gould, WR Michael Pittman Jr., LB Genard Avery, QB Sam Ehlinger and CB Darren Hall inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) is officially active for Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been listed as questionable but was widely expected to play after the Niners activated him from injured reserve on Saturday. The star running back has not yet appeared in a game this season, so Sunday represents his much-anticipated return. Many fantasy managers who selected McCaffrey with the 1.01 pick in fantasy drafts felt betrayed by his long absence, but now, he has a chance to make it up with a strong stretch throughout the second half of the season. In case he has a reduced workload, McCaffrey ranks as a low-end RB1 in his first game back. In future weeks, though, he'll likely rank among the top three running backs, joining the conversation with Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (rib, oblique) is officially active for Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been listed as questionable after logging three limited practices in a row. Samuel has delivered modest production so far this season, catching just 24 passes for 406 yards and one touchdown through seven games. Fantasy managers should still deploy him, given his talent, role, and usage, but his days of being a surefire WR1 are over. For now, he's a riskier WR2 play.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (hip) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been questionable heading into Week 10 after logging three limited practices in a row. Bosa continues to be one of the most effective defenders in his age-27 season, registering 28 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception through eight games this year. This week, Bosa will be tasked with taking down Baker Mayfield and the rest of his Buccaneers teammates.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) will miss a second straight game while recovering from a wrist injury in Week 10 versus the Indianapolis Colts. With rookie Keon Coleman (wrist) also out, Buffalo's receiving corps will be noticeably thin on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, with Khalil Shakir to serve as the No. 1 pass-catcher for quarterback Josh Allen. In addition to Shakir, tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox should see more run in Buffalo's passing attack, while veterans Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel should serve in starting three-receiver sets alongside Shakir. With Cooper out last week, Shakir caught six of seven targets for 50 yards and also had his first 100-yard game the week prior. Cooper's next chance to return will be for a Week 11 showdown on Nov. 17 against the Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (hip) is officially active for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. He had been listed as questionable after being limited in practice ahead of Week 10. London has been quite productive this season, catching 50 passes for 552 yards and six touchdowns while ranking as the overall WR6 in PPR leagues. The 23-year-old remains a strong fantasy option heading into Week 10. His matchup against the Saints is particularly favorable given that New Orleans traded away cornerback Marshon Lattimore last Tuesday.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (wrist) is considered a game-time decision for Week 10's game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Fantasy Spin: Hill had been listed as questionable on the injury report after missing Miami's final two practice sessions of the week due to a wrist injury that he initially sustained during training camp but aggravated a few days ago. He will participate during pregame warmups Monday, Nov. 11, before a final decision is made about his status. Fantasy owners should make alternate plans in the event that Hill is held out of action.
From TheHuddle
The Washington Commanders have declared CB Marshon Lattimore, PK Austin Seibert, OT Cornelius Lucas, QB Jeff Driskel, S Darrick Forrest Jr., S Dominique Hampton and RB Brian Robinson Jr. inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
The Buffalo Bills have declared WR Amari Cooper, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, RB Reggie Gilliam, WR Keon Coleman, C Will Clapp and WR KJ Hamler inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) said he felt "close" to being available for Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers. However, he was ruled out and is instead eyeing a Week 12 return. That timetable would give Evans an extra week to get healthy during the bye before suiting up against the New York Giants on November 24. Evans has been sidelined since Week 7, the same week Tampa Bay also lost Chris Godwin (ankle) to a season-ending injury. As a result, Tampa Bay's passing attack has been forced to funnel through players like Cade Otton, Trey Palmer, and Jalen McMillan (hamstring). Evans' return will give Tampa Bay a reliable top receiver once again.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) is expected to undergo season-ending surgery after testing revealed a partial tear of his hamstring tendon. The veteran quarterback is set to meet with a doctor on Monday to get a final opinion. Prescott won't play in Week 10 and is likely going to elect surgery to address the issue. This would certainly be a frustrating end to Prescott's season, but the team needs to do what is best for his health. Cooper Rush will start under center in Week 10 and figures to remain the starter going forward, assuming Prescott elects the surgery.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) is set to make his return to the field ahead of the Week 10 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Parsons will take the field for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Week 4. His return to the field is a welcoming sight for this defensive unit. Parsons was able to get in three limited practice sessions this week. That being said, Parsons is expected to be on a snap count for this first game back. The Cowboys don't want to push Parsons too hard considering he has missed quite a bit of time.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (foot, ankle) is considered doubtful to return for Sunday's Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants. It appears Sanders suffered some type of leg injury during the first half of this game. After further evaluation it sounds like the Panthers are likely going to hold him out for the rest of the game. Before exiting, Sanders rushed the ball twice as the primary backup to Chuba Hubbard. The absence of Sanders should mean a few more snaps for Hubbard during the second half of this game.
From RotoBaller
