Guest of the League
USFFL Est. 2015
FFL: Week 6 | NFL: Week 6

Best Ball Scout Championship

Wed Apr 17 9:26am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

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.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 6

Player Notes
Chase Brown Oct 13 7:20pm ET
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (quadriceps) is officially active for Sunday Night Football versus the Giants. He's been on a roll of late, amassing three touchdowns in the last two contests. But there was some concern regarding his availability once he appeared on the injury report and was listed as questionable. Fortunately, he's good to go. While Zack Moss (ankle) will also be in the equation, both players have been involved to remain relevant for fantasy managers, making them flex options (at the very least) in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Chris Godwin Oct 13 7:13pm ET
Chris Godwin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin finished with game highs of 11 receptions, 125 yards and 13 targets in Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints, and he had touchdowns of four and 55 yards.

Fantasy Spin: Godwin has five or more receptions in all six games this season, he has scored five times, and he has managed two 100-yard games. He has posted low-end WR1 fantasy numbers in most formats. He'll look to keep it going in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.

From TheHuddle

Zack Moss Oct 13 7:10pm ET
Zack Moss

Cleveland Browns running back Zack Moss (ankle) is officially active for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. The 26-year-old injured his ankle in the Week 5 overtime loss to the Ravens. As a result, he missed practice time during the week. Fortunately, Moss is good to go, and even with Chase Brown (quadriceps) also active, both men are at least flex options in any fantasy format.

From RotoBaller

Tyjae Spears Oct 13 7:00pm ET
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring) stated he is "going to be good" after suffering a hamstring injury in Sunday's loss to the Colts. However, he acknowledged the severity of the injury, indicating that it prevented him from returning even if he wanted to. Spears finished the day by totaling 27 yards off six carries, although Tony Pollard had one of his best games of the season by going for 93 yards and a touchdown off 17 touches. Spears will likely undergo further testing. He may also miss practice time heading into the Week 7 matchup with the Bills. If he can't go for that one, Pollard will likely see more opportunities out of the backfield, with Julius Chestnut picking up the scraps.

From RotoBaller

Baker Mayfield Oct 13 6:53pm ET
Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield completed 24-of-36 passes for 325 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints, while adding 29 rushing yards on three attempts.

Fantasy Spin: It was Mayfield's second straight game with three or more touchdown throws, and he has totaled three scores in three consecutive outings. He also has a pair of 300-yard showings in the past three contests. Don't look now, but Mayfield can be trusted as a low-end TE1 in most fantasy leagues of 12 or more teams. The Buccaneers host the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night in Week 7.

From TheHuddle

Dalton Schultz Oct 13 6:53pm ET
Dalton Schultz

Houston Texans TE Dalton Schultz caught four passes for 27 yards against the New England Patriots in Week 6. He was targeted eight times during the game.

Fantasy Spin: Schultz has been targeted at five times in each of the last four games but has been held to under 35 yards in each of those games. He should see a handful of targets next week but can be benched in fantasy leagues if players have better options available.

From TheHuddle

Lawrence Guy Oct 13 6:53pm ET
Lawrence Guy

The Cincinnati Bengals have declared DL Lawrence Guy, TE Tanner McLachlan, OT Andrew Stueber, DT Jay Tufele, WR Jermaine Burton and DE Cedric Johnson inactive for Week 6.

From TheHuddle

Darius Slay Oct 13 6:50pm ET
Darius Slay

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (knee) didn't return to Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns. The veteran injured his knee early in the second half and immediately went to the locker room after a brief stop in the medical tent. Slay, one of the team's top defenders, was replaced in the contest by Isaiah Rodgers, who had played just nine defensive snaps this season. The team will likely get an update soon on his condition. But his potential absence isn't ideal for a Philadelphia team that has struggled at times this season.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Boyd Oct 13 6:43pm ET
Tyler Boyd

Tennessee Titans WR Tyler Boyd ended up with three receptions for 19 yards on three targets in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Fantasy Spin: Boyd is the third receiver on a team with a bad quarterback, and that's never good for fantasy appeal. He should be treated as a more of a WR5 in most fantasy leagues until further notice.

From TheHuddle

Calvin Ridley Oct 13 6:43pm ET
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley was targeted a team-high eight times in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts, but he was held without a reception.

Fantasy Spin: Yuck. QB Will Levis tried to get the ball to Ridley early and often, but they were unable to get on the same page at any point. Levis has been pretty bad from a fantasy perspective, and he is killing the appeal of his received like Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd in the process. Unless a change is made under center, Ridley's fantasy ceiling seems rather limited.

From TheHuddle

Stefon Diggs Oct 13 6:43pm ET
Stefon Diggs

Houston Texans WR Stefon Diggs caught six passes for 77 yards and one touchdown against the New England Patriots in Week 6. He was targeted seven times during the game.

Fantasy Spin: Diggs has been playing very well over the last month and has posted at least 69 yards in each of the last four games. He should be a weekly starting option in all fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Aidan Hutchinson Oct 13 6:40pm ET
Aidan Hutchinson

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (leg) was carted off the field in Sunday's meeting with the Dallas Cowboys. The 24-year-old entered Week 6 with 6.5 sacks, the most in the National Football League. He recorded another on Sunday. Unfortunately, his latest sack may cost him some time, especially since he immediately grabbed his leg afterward and was placed in an aircast before leaving the field. This isn't a good situation for the Lions, so IDP managers will anxiously await an update, which will likely come soon.

From RotoBaller

Joe Mixon Oct 13 6:33pm ET
Joe Mixon

Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon rushed for 102 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries against the New England Patriots in Week 6. He also caught two passes for 30 yards and one touchdown during the game.

Fantasy Spin: Mixon returned to the lineup this week after missing multiple games because of injury. He was productive in both the running and passing games against the Patriots and should be a weekly starting option in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

DeAndre Hopkins Oct 13 6:33pm ET
DeAndre Hopkins

Tennessee Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins went for 54 receiving yards on four catches on six targets in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Fantasy Spin: Hopkins did pretty well considering his quarterback threw for less than 100 yards. You can imagine what the stats for the other receivers look like. Hopkins still has plenty left in the tank, but the clock is ticking, and he is wasting away in Nashville with a less-than-stellar QB. He remains more of a WR3 in most fantasy leagues heading into Week 7 against the Buffalo Bills.

From TheHuddle

Hayden Hurst Oct 13 6:30pm ET
Hayden Hurst

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hayden Hurst (groin) won't return to Sunday's matchup with the Denver Broncos. The veteran suffered a groin injury and will finish the week without a catch. Considering he hasn't done anything relevant this season, his departure likely won't cause panic for most fantasy managers. But his absence could at least allow Will Dissly to see a few more targets during the game.

From RotoBaller

Nelson Agholor Oct 13 6:23pm ET
Nelson Agholor

Baltimore Ravens WR Nelson Agholor caught one pass for 25 yards against the Washington Commanders in Week 6. He was targeted three times during the game.

From TheHuddle

Mike Evans Oct 13 6:20pm ET
Mike Evans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans came into Sunday's game with 13 receptions for 156 yards and three touchdowns over his last two games. Sadly for fantasy managers, Evans was held in check during Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. The veteran wideout hauled in 2-of-6 targets for 34 yards in the win. He took a backseat to fellow wideout Chris Godwin who had 11 receptions for over 100 yards and two touchdowns. It's worth noting that Evans did leave this game for a period of time but he finished out the final two quarters. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned about his status heading into next week's matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Evans should be a borderline WR1 for that game.

From RotoBaller

Cade Otton Oct 13 6:20pm ET
Cade Otton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has picked up the slack over the last few weeks. On Sunday, Otton hauled in two of his six targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in win over the New Orleans Saints. The third-year tight end had one catch through the first two games. Since then, Otton has 18 receptions for 158 yards over the last four games. Fantasy managers should keep Otton on the TE2 radar for next week's matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Evan Engram Oct 13 6:13pm ET
Evan Engram

Dynasty | Jags tight end Evan Engram had ten catches for 102 yards in a loss against Chicago in London. Dynasty Analysis: Engram's game was about the only thing that went well for the Jags, who were humiliated by the Bears on Sunday morning. With his injury possibly in the rearview mirror, Engram should be poised for a solid season as Jacksonville seems intent to force him the ball. His dynasty value should be stable moving forward, despite being on one of the league's worst teams.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Jayden Daniels Oct 13 6:13pm ET
Jayden Daniels

Dynasty | Bears quarterback Caleb Williams completed 23-of-29 passes for 226 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in a win against Jacksonville. Dynasty Analysis: He added 56 rushing yards on the day. Feel free to put a * on this game based on the fact it was played against the Jaguars, but you may be doing so at your own risk. Williams looks like a player who is developing very quickly and today could have easily been his coming out party. While not quite on the QB1 line as of yet, Williams looks like a solid hold in dynasty leagues and the talk of the Bears (and dynasty managers) missing out on Jayden Daniels will subside for at least a week.

From Dynasty League Fantasy