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.
Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 10
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) continued to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday, according to Daniel Flick of The Observer. The young tight end was also tending to this injury on Wednesday and could be in danger of missing this weekend's game if he is unable to return to full participation on Friday. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report, as it may provide some clarity on his status heading into the weekend. Even though Pitts caught just one pass last weekend, he has been one of the most productive tight ends over the past month, averaging a solid 16.1 PPR points per game during Weeks 5 through 8. If Pitts is able to suit up, he should be locked into all lineups as a solid TE1 facing the New Orleans Saints.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (hip) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice according to Daniel Flick of Sports Illustrated. London suffered a hip injury during the opening quarter of last Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Earlier in the week, London was considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status during Friday's practice as it will likely provide clarity for his availability for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. In London suits up, he should be viewed as a solid WR1 in all formats. If not, fantasy managers should expect Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III to operate as the top two wideouts in Atlanta.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette (hand, wrist) told the media that he aggravated a past injury, according to Alex Zietlow of The Observer. However, Legette emphasized that he has been dealing with this injury for years and that he is "good." In addition, he also expressed excitement about traveling overseas to face the Giants in Germany. Fantasy managers should monitor his status in case he faces a setback, but he should be expected to be a full-go for Sunday's tilt. The South Carolina product has found the back of the end zone in each of the past two games and should be viewed as a solid WR3 this weekend while leading the Carolina passing attack.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) remained limited during Thursday's practice. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report as the Alabama product may carry an injury designation into the weekend and could be in danger of missing his second-straight game. Last weekend, while Robinson was sidelined, Austin Ekeler was deployed as the lead running back while Chris Rodriguez Jr. served as the No.2 option. If Robinson were to remain out this weekend, Ekeler could once again produce solid RB2 production against the Pittsburgh Steelers with Rodriguez becoming a viable flex option in deeper formats.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders kicker Austin Seibert (hip) was upgraded to a limited participant during Thursday's practice. This is a great sign for the 27-year-old as he sat out on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should continue his status during Friday's practice as he could be in danger of missing Sunday's game. Since moving to the DMV in Week 2, Seibert has been one of the most productive kickers from a fantasy perspective. During this stretch, he has gone 25-for-27 on attempts and a perfect 22-for-22 on extra points. If Seibert is active on Sunday, fantasy managers should continue to view him as a high-end option given how potent the revamped Washington offense has performed under Kliff Kingsbury.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) has been activated off the injured reserve and is set to make his season debut on Thursday evening against the Cincinnati Bengals. Mitchell has been sidelined since suffering a torn ACL last December. Last season, the 22-year-old showcased his elite speed as he averaged an impressive 8.4 yards per carry. Through Weeks 9 through 15, Mitchell averaged just 7.8 attempts per game but was able to tally an average of 66.0 rushing yards in each outing. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should look to stash Mitchell for the time being as even though he has big-play ability, he will face a limited workload early on as he is eased into action. Down the stretch, he could eventually earn a decent role in the Baltimore offense playing behind Derrick Henry.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receivers Curtis Samuel (pectoral) and Mack Hollins (shoulder) were both wearing non-contact jerseys at Thursday's practice session. Hollins was listed as a full participant on Wednesday, so this would represent a downgrade for him. Samuel returned in the Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins after missing Week 8, but he failed to catch his only target with Amari Cooper (wrist) out and has gone without a catch in each of his last two games. Rookie Keon Coleman (wrist) might miss multiple weeks, but even with Buffalo's receivers beat up, Samuel isn't an attractive starting fantasy lineup option. Hollins had gone without a catch in each of his last two games before bringing in all five of his targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Week 9. If Cooper is out again this weekend, Hollins will be a touchdown-dependent WR4/flex option, at best, in deeper leagues.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers tight ends Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle, wrist) and Tommy Tremble (back) were both listed as limited in Thursday's practice. Meanwhile, Feleipe Franks (concussion) practiced in full for the second straight day. Tremble was a full-go on Wednesday, while Sanders is popping up on the injury report for the first time this week. Sanders has certainly been more involved in recent weeks as a pass-catcher than he was in the first four games of his NFL career. He's had at least five targets in four of his last five games and has a 19-217-0 line in his last five games. The 21-year-old has yet to find the end zone, though, and remains nothing more than a low-upside TE2 streamer in deeper fantasy leagues if he's active in Week 10 in Germany against the New York Giants. The return of Tremble would certainly be bad news for Sanders.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg reports that Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is practicing in a similar fashion to last week. Cooper was inactive for the Week 9 win over the division-rival Miami Dolphins but was limited in Wednesday's walkthrough. He's likely to be listed as limited for a second straight day on Thursday and is up in the air to play in Week 10 versus the Indianapolis Colts. With rookie Keon Coleman (wrist) possibly missing multiple weeks with his own wrist injury, look for Khalil Shakir to see increased volume against the Colts, especially if Cooper misses a second straight game. The 33-year-old Cooper had four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown in his Bills debut in Week 7 before getting injured in Week 8. If Cooper is able to get the green light to return this Sunday, he should be considered a must-start for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) is not practicing for a second straight day due to a hamstring injury. The veteran turned in two limited practices last week before logging a "DNP" on Friday, so it's possible he suffered a setback to his ailment. With no practice to start the week, it would be somewhat of a surprise if he's activated from the Injured Reserve list for the Week 10 game against the New York Giants in Germany. With Diontae Johnson now in Baltimore and Jonathan Mingo in Dallas, rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker have fantasy appeal in 12-plus team leagues. The Giants are a natural matchup for wideouts, so both players are on the flex radar for Week 10.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) is back at practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury. This is great news for his fantasy managers, but his status should continue to be monitored on Friday and up to Sunday. Smith has posted at least 900 receiving yards in each of his first three NFL seasons, but he is a "boom-or-bust" fantasy option in most matchups while sharing a field with A.J. Brown (knee) and Dallas Goedert (hamstring). Assuming all three pass-catchers are active in Week 10 against the Dallas Cowboys, Smith is a solid WR2 or WR3 play with upside, but he has a low floor due to his boom-or-bust nature.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is still out of practice on Thursday leading up to Sunday's matchup with the Denver Broncos. The former Pittsburgh Steeler and New England Patriot has not played since Week 5, and he's looking likely to be out again in Week 10. In his absence, K.C. traded for DeAndre Hopkins, who has taken over the clear WR1 role. When Smith-Schuster finally does return, he could have very little fantasy value. If he surprisingly plays this week, he is not worth starting except in 16-plus team leagues against a Denver Broncos defense that has surrendered the 8th-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (concussion) is not expected to travel with the team for the Week 10 game against the Carolina Panthers in Germany. Needless to say, he is trending toward being inactive after suffering a concussion last Sunday. In his absence, sophomore third-round wideout Jalin Hyatt should see more action, but he is not on the fantasy football radar. Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson should continue to operate as Daniel Jones' No. 1 and No. 2 targets in the passing game for the international NFC showdown.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) is not practicing for the second straight day due to a groin injury. The third-year back out of Florida missed the Week 9 loss to the New York Jets and has only been active for four games in 2024. It looks like he could be on his way to missing another week of action, meaning J.J. Taylor and Dare Ogunbowale could serve as the RB2 and RB3 for Houston behind Joe Mixon. However, Mixon is in a workhorse role, so neither backup is worth starting in fantasy lineups. Pierce remains a handcuff RB in deep leagues, but he's barely on the fantasy football radar in leagues of 12 teams or fewer.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is not practicing on Thursday after logging a "DNP" on Wednesday. The 2020 second-round pick has missed several Wednesday practices before returning on Thursday this year, but his absence two days in a row could suggest he's at real risk of missing Week 10. Fantasy managers should monitor his status on Friday, but he's become an unattractive fantasy option in 2024. The USC alum has scored double-digit half-PPR fantasy points in just three of his nine games this year and totaled just 4.0 fantasy points over the last two weeks. If he plays, it will be against the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to wideouts.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) is not practicing on Thursday, though he is working off to the side. This will mark his second straight "DNP" of the week with a wrist injury, so fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status heading into the weekend. The rookie out of Florida State has come on in recent weeks, scoring at least 14.5 fantasy points in matchups with the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. If he cannot play, wide receiver Khalil Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid will have higher floors and ceilings against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10. The Colts have surrendered the 11th-most fantasy points per game to wideouts and fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is still not practicing on Thursday as he works his way back from a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old has been sidelined on the Injured Reserve list since Week 5, and although his hamstring is reportedly feeling much better, it seems like he's on the wrong side of questionable for Week 10 against the Detroit Lions. Collins scored at least 14.7 half-PPR fantasy points in four of his first five games and was leading the NFL in receiving yards before getting hurt. If Collins cannot play this week, fellow wideout Tank Dell is a virtual must-start in a favorable matchup against the Detroit secondary. Fantasy managers holding out hope for Collins should monitor his practice status and official game designation on Friday afternoon.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard to a four-year, $33.2 million contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: The contract includes $15 million in guaranteed money. It's a surprise given the fact the Panthers drafted Jonathon Brooks and looks like a classic case of a contract being better in reality than in fantasy. Long-time dynasty managers are likely having memories about DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart sharing backfield duties and draining each other's appeal in the process years ago in Carolina. The move locks Hubbard not only to the roster, but also into a prominent role. This looks like the early makings of a thunder and lightning approach in Carolina and a big-time buzzkill in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | The Panthers have signed running back Chuba Hubbard to a four-year contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: This is sneaky big news in dynasty leagues as most expected Hubbard to move on in free agency, leaving the backfield duties to Brooks. Instead, it seems the Panthers are more than happy having two capable running backs to split carries instead of having a true bell cow. Brooks' dynasty value is going to take a hit now as it seems he's not going to have the workload many of us expected. This is major news in dynasty leagues and is going to have long-term ramifications.
Cincinnati Bengals newly acquired running back Khalil Herbert is expected to be active to make his debut with the team on Thursday Night Football against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, according to sources. The Bengals acquired Herbert from the Chicago Bears on Tuesday at the trade deadline, and he should immediately step in for Zack Moss (neck), who is expected to miss the rest of the regular season. Chase Brown's fantasy stock has seen a boost in recent weeks, and he's fully expected to be Cincy's primary backfield option going forward. Herbert and Trayveon Williams will battle for change-of-pace duties now that Moss is sidelined. The 26-year-old Herbert's fantasy value sees a boost with his trade to Cincy, although he'll still likely struggle for standalone starting appeal in fantasy lineups while working behind Brown.
From RotoBaller