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.
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- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 10
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- Bills WR Amari Cooper (wrist) out vs. Colts
- 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
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- 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
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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
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte caught four of his six targets for 47 yards during Sunday's Week 10 win over the Chicago Bears. The second-year receiver has blossomed into one of New England's top playmaking receivers, commanding 18 targets over his last three games and averaging 15.5 yards per catch since Week 4. Fantasy managers can't quite depend on him in fantasy football yet, but he's worth monitoring after playing 97 percent of snaps and catching four passes (both career-highs) on Sunday. Next up, he'll face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley hauled in five receptions on nine targets for 84 yards and two touchdowns in the 27-17 defeat to Los Angeles. With quarterback Will Levis back in the lineup, Ridley did not miss a beat, enjoying his best performance of the season with almost 23 half-PPR points. The speedster got the scoring going early, beating his single coverage with ease and coasting into the end-zone on a perfect ball from Levis. Ridley dominated the attention from his quarterback overall, registering a 39% target share on the afternoon, the next closest Titan only drawing three looks. While it's been quite the roller coaster season thus far for the high-dollar offseason acquisition, Ridley has posted 20+ PPR points in two of his last three games, finally showing some signs of consistency which has turned him into a must-start fantasy asset. Up next is a meeting with the Minnesota Vikings at home, a team that is much easier to throw against than run on.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry converted four targets into just one reception for 14 yards during Sunday's Week 10 win over the Chicago Bears. Henry had caught 23 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown over the previous for weeks, so his quiet showing in Chicago was not only disappointing but also surprising for many fantasy managers. Heading into Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams, Henry is a TE2 with TE1 upside.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara became the franchise's all-time leader in rushing yards during a 20-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10, finishing with 17 carries for 55 yards and catching five passes for 54 yards.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught all three of his targets for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10.
Fantasy Spin: Without Rashid Shaheed or Chris Olave, Valdes-Scantling emerged as the big-play weapon for Derek Carr. Until Olave is able to return, Valdes-Scantling could have potential as a flex play.
From TheHuddle
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 15 of 25 passes for 184 yards, one touchdown, and one interception during Sunday's Week 10 win over the Chicago Bears. He also rushed for 24 yards on four attempts. Notably, Maye played better than fellow rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in their head-to-head matchup on Sunday. The No. 3 overall pick did turn the football over for the fourth time in five starts, but he also led five scoring drives and completed passes to seven different teammates. He remains a fringe top-12 fantasy quarterback heading into next week's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas caught four of his five targets for 50 yards during Sunday's Week 10 win over the Chicago Bears. Despite a tough matchup versus a Bears defense that defends slot receivers quite well, Douglas was able to be productive, registering four-plus catches for the fourth time in the last six weeks. He continues to showcase a strong rapport with Drake Maye and should be treated as a low-end WR3 heading into a battle with the Los Angeles Rams next weekend.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr completed 16 of his 25 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10.
From TheHuddle
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 74 yards on 20 carries during Sunday's Week 10 win over the Chicago Bears. He also turned his lone target into a three-yard reception. Although Stevenson saw heavy volume and modest efficiency, his fantasy showing was somewhat disappointing given that he caught only one pass and failed to score a touchdown. This was quite the change for Stevenson, who had tallied four touchdowns over his last two games. Moving forward, Stevenson remains in the low-end RB2 conversation. He'll face the Los Angeles Rams at home next weekend.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers SS Jordan Whitehead ended up with 12 total stops with seven solo tackles in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield completed 18-of-29 passes for just 116 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, while running three times for three yards.
Fantasy Spin: This was easily Mayfield's worst fantasy line of the season, and it was his first passing yardage total under 200 yards since Oct. 3 in Atlanta. This outing also snapped a six-game streak with two or more passing touchdowns. He'll look to bounce back in Week 12 after the team's bye.
From TheHuddle
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams came down with his only target, a 32-yard touchdown, in a thrilling Week 10 victory over the Washington Commanders. Williams, who was just dealt to the Steelers earlier this week, played just nine snaps in his debut but was trusted by quarterback Russell Wilson with the game on the line. Wilson threw a perfect deep ball to Williams in the end zone that gave Pittsburgh a 28-27 lead after an extra point with just over two minutes remaining. The 30-year-old wideout should see an uptick in snaps going forward and could be on the fantasy radar at some point this season. He'll be an interesting name on the waiver wire in deeper formats ahead of a Week 11 clash with the Baltimore Ravens.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears rushed seven times for 47 yards, adding three receptions on as many targets for four yards in a 27-17 loss to LA on Sunday. Spears returned to the lineup this weekend after missing the past few games with a hamstring injury and led the Titans in rushing for the first time all season. A lot of that production came on a throw-away draw play with four seconds left in the first half, but Spears still looked effective when given opportunities, gaining extra yards on multiple plays that looked like they had no chance. The Tulane product will still run behind Tony Pollard if the latter is healthy, but he could potentially work his way into some low-end flex value down the stretch, especially given the Titans will be playing from behind a majority of the time which favors Spears' skillset. On tap for Week 11 are the Minnesota Vikings and their intimidating run defense.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle finished with three receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown on four targets in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Fantasy Spin: Kittle has scored in back-to-back games, and he has at least one score in six of the past seven games with a total of seven touchdowns. He is arguably the most valuable and consistent fantasy tight end in most formats heading into Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers LB Fred Warner posted team bests with nine total stops and six solo tackles in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
From TheHuddle
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins completed 23 of his 38 passes for 306 yards and an interception in a 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 10.
From TheHuddle
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard rushed nine times for 44 yards, adding four receptions on 4 targets for 19 yards in a defeat to Los Angeles on Sunday. It was a down performance for Pollard who was semi-game scripted out of this one with the Titans playing from behind most of the game. Tyjae Spears actually bested Pollard in the rushing department for the first time all season, on two fewer carries. The former Cowboy also appeared to tweak his ankle late in the first half but was able to come back in the game shortly after. Pollard will be susceptible to down games like this due to the nature of the Titans' incompetent offense, but he remains a featured player who will see around 15-20 opportunities per game, even with Spears back in the mix. Up next is an extremely tough matchup against the Vikings top rush defense, which will likely demote Pollard to only a flex option down from his usual RB2 spot.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey rushed 13 times for 39 yards in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his season debut. He added six receptions for 68 yards on seven targets.
Fantasy Spin: McCaffrey didn't do much in the run game, but he is tremendous catching the ball out of the backfield, and his return gives the San Francisco offense another dimension. He'll make his home debut in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks.
From TheHuddle
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (back) is officially active for the Week 10 contest against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football after being listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report. Despite dealing with a back injury, Dell was expected to play through the injury. It's big news for the Texans offense since Nico Collins (hamstring) will miss another game despite being activated from Injured Reserve on Saturday. Remember that Stefon Diggs (knee) is out for the rest of the year due to a torn right ACL. It means that Dell will operate as the Texans' top wideout in a primetime showdown against a Lions defense that has allowed the third-most half-PPR points all year to wideouts. In last week's win over the New York Jets on Halloween, Dell had six catches for a season-high 126 yards. Xavier Hutchinson and Robert Woods should have bigger roles as well behind Dell.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hauled in five of seven targets for 91 yards and a score in a 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders. Pickens made an impact early on Sunday, coming down with an incredible touchdown grab on a 16-yard deep ball from Russell Wilson in the first quarter. He continued to operate as Wilson's favorite vertical option and came down with multiple catches in crucial moments. While the addition of Mike Williams to Pittsburgh's receiver corps paid off in a big way on Sunday, the veteran does not appear to be a threat to the elite target share that Pickens has garnered this season. The third-year pro will be a borderline must-start fantasy asset next week in a divisional showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
From RotoBaller
