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 11
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton looked good during the preseason, finding the end zone twice. As a result, expectations were high for the 2024 No. 80 overall pick heading into the regular season, even with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the equation. However, he hasn't done much, amassing only three catches (10 targets) for 99 yards. Burton has also been held out of a few contests, one of which was for disciplinary reasons. With that in mind, the 23-year-old may have a bright future, so keeping him stashed on dynasty rosters is recommended. Yet, his fantasy outlook for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign doesn't look promising, including in Week 11 versus the Chargers, especially with Chase, Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Chase Brown, and Mike Gesicki all looking for Joe Burrow's attention.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (back) is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. He didn't practice on Thursday, although he was back on the practice field for a limited session on Friday. Still, it wasn't enough for Warren to avoid a questionable tag heading into Week 11. The 26-year-old hasn't done much to benefit fantasy managers this season, totaling 217 yards off 55 carries to the tune of 3.9 yards per touch, adding 14 grabs for 96 yards. With Najee Harris in the lineup, Warren isn't expected to be involved enough to be considered a reliable fantasy option, so managers should consider keeping him on the bench for the AFC North matchup.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo can be safely avoided by fantasy managers this Sunday when he squares off against the visiting Minnesota Vikings. The 25-year-old is Tennessee's clear TE1, though it has yet to amount to much in the fantasy department. Okonkwo is averaging an abysmal 2.3 receptions and 19.2 receiving yards per contest through nine games. Additionally, he'll face a tough test this weekend in a Vikings defense that has been stout against opposing passing attacks this season, letting up the seventh-fewest yards per pass attempt (5.7). Minnesota has been solid against tight ends, too, with 5.3 fantasy points allowed per game to the position. The Maryland product is RotoBaller's PPR TE29 for this weekend's slate.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson is not a viable fantasy option in Week 11 when his team lines up against the Los Angeles Chargers on the road at SoFi Stadium. The seventh-year veteran has seen his usage tick up since rookie TE Erick All Jr (knee) went down for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. In Week 10, Hudson had his best outing of the season when he churned out 42 yards and a touchdown on 6-of-7 receiving against a sieve-like Baltimore Ravens defense. However, he'll have a much more difficult outing this weekend against one of the top defenses in the league. The Chargers are affording opposing tight ends an average of 4.7 fantasy points per outing and are the top scoring defense in the NFL -- letting up just 13.1 points per game. Additionally, the 30-year-old will continue to contend with teammate Mike Gesicki for targets and now has wide receiver Tee Higgins (quad) back in the fold, vying for his own share. Hudson is RotoBaller's PPR TE28 ahead of Week 11's outing.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor can be safely avoided for fantasy purposes this Sunday when the team travels to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans. The third-year wideout had a few useful fantasy performances in the season's early going but has recorded just four receptions and 34 yards on eight targets over the prior three contests. Nailor will get a difficult test this weekend against a Titans defense that has been excellent against the pass thus far in 2024. Tennessee is allowing their opponents 5.3 yards per pass attempt and has let up an average of just 13.6 fantasy points per game to the WR position. Additionally, Nailor has become an even more distant option in the Vikings' air attack, with tight end T.J. Hockenson back in the fold. The 25-year-old is RotoBaller's PPR WR74 in this week's rankings.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray will not be a recommended option this Sunday when his team squares off against the Buffalo Bills in a premiere matchup. The 25-year-old is far and away the team's second option at TE, registering nearly 300 more snaps than the next-closest player at the position sans Travis Kelce. However, his involvement needs to be more consistent to warrant fantasy viability. Gray is averaging just 2.1 receptions and 25.1 yards per contest as a distant fourth option at best in Kansas City's passing attack. If Kelce were to miss time, the Duke product would become an intriguing option. Until then, he can safely be avoided for fantasy purposes. Gray is RotoBaller's PPR TE27 in this week's ranks.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright is little more than a dart-throw option in Week 11 when his team lines up against the Las Vegas Raiders. The rookie back has seen his snap share dwindle over the last few weeks with the return of teammate Raheem Mostert, topping out at six carries since his return in Week 7. Week 10 was a low point for the 21-year-old, as he averaged just 0.6 yards on his five rush attempts (three yards). Wright has all the talent in the world but is buried on Miami's depth chart behind the veteran and second-year RB De'Von Achane -- who has dominated the Dolphins' snaps and touches out of the backfield. Until the former fourth-round pick's role is elevated, fantasy managers can continue to relegate him to their bench. He's RotoBaller's PPR RB42 for this weekend's slate of games.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith gets a great matchup in Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders. For most of the season, he has maintained a good target share and has carved out a meaningful role in the offense. He's garnered six or more targets in four of his last five games. The Raiders defense has been porous against tight ends this year, giving up the fourth most fantasy points per game to the position. They've also allowed the fifth most touchdowns to tight ends this season. In their last two games, Travis Kelce and Mike Gesicki had 90 receiving yards and a touchdown. If you need a replacement starter this week, Smith could be a viable option. He checks in as RotoBaller's TE17 for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
A Monday Night Football matchup with the floundering Dallas Cowboys puts the Houston Texans D/ST on the short list of top defenses to start in Week 11. The Texans pressure more than 27% of dropbacks, which ranks fourth in the NFL, and they're coming off a five-interception game against Detroit last week. Now comes a Dallas team down to Cooper Rush and Trey Lance at quarterback to go with the second-worst running game in the league at 3.8 yards per attempt. The Cowboys are scoring on only 18% of their drives this season, which is worse than everybody except the Las Vegas Raiders. Given the matchup, Houston is a no-doubt starting option.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans kicker Kai'imi Fairbairn remains the overall No. 1 fantasy option at his position with another favorable matchup on Monday against the Dallas Cowboys. The Houston kicker is up to 11 made field goals from beyond 50 yards already, which ties the NFL record in a season with two more months still to go. Houston will take on a Cowboys defense that is allowing opponents to score on 46.5% of drives, which is worse than everyone except Carolina, and could be even further stressed due to their offense's struggles without quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring). Fairbairn should be in all starting lineups against Dallas.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Patriots have waived wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. Dynasty Analysis: The former second round pick looks like a classic case of a workout wonder gone wrong. Thornton has the speed and genetic makeup to compete in the NFL, but he just never got it together, despite being a second round pick in 2022. In 28 total games, he has just 39 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns, including a 4/47/0 line this season. Thornton could re-emerge somewhere, but he doesn't belong on dynasty rosters at the moment.
Dynasty | Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers may not be guaranteed a roster spot next season. Dynasty Analysis: Rodgers himself said this week he expects to be back with the Jets next season, but it certainly takes two to tango and New York may want to move in a different direction. This is just speculation at this point, but the Jets could be in position to draft his successor this off-season. It still seems likely Rodgers returns (especially since Davante Adams would have likely been assured of it), but teams that have performed this poorly rarely have anything set in stone. Rodgers is clinging to a little dynasty value, but it's dropping by the week.
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell once again finds himself in boom-or-bust Flex/WR3 territory with the Texans taking on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11. The 25-year-old receiver ranks a disappointing 40th at his position in PPR formats, though the Houston offense is due a major boost with the return of fellow receiver Nico Collins. Now that wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) is out for the year, the Houston offense could again look like it did in 2023 with Collins and Dell powering the passing attack. Even against middling Dallas pass defense, though, fantasy managers will have to weigh the risk of starting a No. 2 receiver on a team in the midst of major pass-protection issues.
From RotoBaller
Already in great form, Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon finds himself with an excellent matchup Monday against the fading Dallas Cowboys. The running back's age-28 season has seen him score touchdowns five weeks in a row, during which he is averaging 117 total yards and more than three targets per game. The Cowboys, meanwhile, are a mess. Dallas is a bottom-five defense against fantasy running backs that has allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns and third-most rushing first downs. Through nine games, opposing ball-carriers are averaging 4.7 yards per carry against the Cowboys. Mixon is a top-shelf running back in any format this week.
From RotoBaller
After a challenging past month, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud meets the struggling Dallas Cowboys at a great time. Last year's Offensive Rookie of the Year averaged under 200 yards during his past four games, during which he had just two passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Opposing defenses have exposed the Texans' pass protection for a dozen sacks in the past two weeks, obviously limiting Stroud's ability to deliver production. Now, however, comes a Dallas defense that ranks 26th against fantasy quarterbacks and is bottom-five against the run. Given Dallas' team-wide struggles, Stroud is starting-caliber in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine will remain the primary backup with Isiah Pacheco (ankle) ruled out for the Week 11 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Perine hasn't done much in the rushing game, but has hauled in two receptions or more in each of the last three games. Kareem Hunt has seen a majority of the workload in the backfield and that will likely remain the case once again this weekend. Perine doesn't carry enough value to be considered a reliable streaming option for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) was a full participant in Friday's practice and is not on the final injury report for their Week 11 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Hill has not been the WR1 fantasy managers were hoping for when they drafted him. This week's matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders has the potential for a breakout game. Overall, the Raiders have been relatively good this season against wide receivers, but their start cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) has been ruled out. They also rank 26th in pressure rate and 18th in yards per play on the road, which could give quarterback Tua Tagovailoa more time for plays to develop down the field. This looks to be the perfect matchup; start him as a WR1. Hill comes in as RotoBaller's WR8 in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is tough to trust in Week 11 despite a decent matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Other than Week 1, the only performance in which he eclipsed 46 receiving yards was last week against the Los Angeles Rams, when he had 57. He has only one touchdown on the year and hasn't received more than six targets in a game since Week 5. Overall, he has been one of the biggest disappointments of the 2024 season. The Raiders have allowed the seventh least receiving yards in 2024, but their star cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) will not be in the lineup. There isn't any justification to have him in your lineup; avoid him at all costs. He ranks as RotoBaller's WR33 in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel is coming off a game where he saw a season-high eight targets last week. The 28-year-old figures to once again see an increased workload heading into the Week 11 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills are without wideout Keon Coleman (wrist) and Amari Cooper (wrist) is questionable to suit up. The absence of both receivers should mean plenty of targets for Samuel on Sunday. Samuel hasn't done much this season, but his 89 percent snap count does give him more appeal. Fantasy managers should consider Samuel a low-end streaming option for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz continues to be a TE2 option as Houston takes on his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, in Week 11. The 28-year-old is coming off a season-best 66 receiving yards last week, but volume remains an issue, and now the Texans are slated to get top receiver Nico Collins back in the lineup. The veteran tight end has been one of the more frustrating fantasy holds on the season: he's starting in a good offense, but not trustworthy enough to start confidently. Against a bad Dallas defense, he's a touchdown-dependent play.
From RotoBaller