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.
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 16
With quarterback Drew Lock (shoulder) banged up again, the New York Giants have not made a decision on who will start on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17. Head coach Brian Daboll said that Lock went for an MRI exam on his right shoulder on Monday. "We'll see where he's at," Daboll said. Back in the starting role in the Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the 28-year-old was bad again, going 22-for-39 for 210 yards, one touchdown and two pick-sixes. So in addition to his underwhelming performances as the team's starter since Daniel Jones left town, Lock is injured again and could give way to Tommy DeVito for the starting job in Week 17 against the Colts. Regardless of who is starting under center for the G-Men this weekend, fantasy managers should be staying away. Lock has a touchdown and four interceptions in six games (three starts) in his first year in the Big Apple.
Dynasty | Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is out for the season with a torn ACL and dislocated kneecap. Dynasty Analysis: This is yet another devastating injury for Dell, who just can't seem to catch a break. He was having his best game of the season before suffering a gruesome knee injury on a touchdown catch yesterday that proved to be of the season-ending variety. The question now will be if he's going to be fully healthy for the 2025 season, which honestly seems unlikely at this point. The Texans claimed Diontae Johnson off waivers, but that's going to be a short-term solution. Houston will need to make a decision on how to move forward in the off-season with their receiving corps, especially considering Stefon Diggs was lost for the year as well. Dell is going to see his dynasty value sink a ton this off-season.
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans announced on Monday that safety Jimmie Ward (foot) will miss the rest of the year, while offensive guard Shaq Mason (knee) is considered week-to-week. Ward was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering a foot injury in Saturday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that will require season-ending surgery. M.J. Stewart or Myles Bryant are the options to fill Ward's role in Houston's secondary the rest of the way. The 33-year-old veteran finishes his second season with the Texans with 48 tackles (32 solo), five tackles for loss, two interceptions (one returned for a TD) and four pass breakups in 10 starts. Mason suffered a knee injury in the first half on Saturday and is now questionable to play on another short turnaround in Week 17 on Christmas Day this Wednesday against the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans could be without their starting right guard this week.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday that he's open to taking a pay cut and is also willing to mentor a rookie if he continues to play in 2025. However, Rodgers also said that he remains undecided on whether he will continue his playing career. The Jets fell to a disappointing 4-11 after their Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams despite a recent stretch of improved play from Rodgers. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer carries a $23.5 million salary cap hit next year, and the Jets would be on the hook for a $49 million dead cap hit if Rodgers is released or if he retires. Rodgers has thrown for 3,511 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions a year after tearing his Achilles in Week 1. The Jets offense is in the bottom third in the NFL in points per game (19.5) and yards per game (307.9). Rodgers will be a QB2 in fantasy in Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) is considered questionable to return to Monday night's game against the visiting New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field due to a knee injury. Watson initially got up slowly after a 14-yard rushing attempt in the second quarter but eventually returned to the game in the first half. The 25-year-old was then being stretched out on the sidelines in the second half and is now questionable to return. The Packers are up big 24-0 with the Saints not mounting much of a challenge, so we'd be surprised if the team brings the receiver back into this contest. Before Watson was listed as questionable, he had 23 yards on two rushing attempts and didn't catch his only target. On a short turnaround in Week 17 against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 29, Watson could have a tough time playing, depending on the severity of his knee injury.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was non-committal on Monday as to whether wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) will practice this week. "I'm expecting to get everything from Waddle that he can do... I've [talked to] the trainer to make sure we protect him from himself. We will see how the week progresses. I don't know exactly what it will look like." Waddle suffered a knee injury in the Week 15 loss to the division-rival New York Jets and did not play in Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers. The fact that the team is unsure if the 26-year-old will even practice this week doesn't bode well for his availability in the upcoming Week 17 matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. If Waddle cannot practice or play this week, Tyreek Hill and tight end Jonnu Smith should see a heavy dose of targets, with Malik Washington stepping up as the WR2.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) didn't suit up for practice on Monday. Skowronek injured his hip during the first half of Saturday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He was cleared to return to the game, but clearly Skowronek is still dealing with the issue. He finished with two receptions on two targets for 25 yards. He has mainly been playing on special teams all season long, but has seen a few more chances on offense with George Pickens (hamstring) injured. However, Skowronek won't see enough snaps on offense to make him worth starting in fantasy formats this week.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) was limited during Monday's practice session. This comes after Fields sat out of Saturday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He picked up an abdomen injury in Week 15 and appears to still be dealing with the issue. The absence of Fields doesn't mean much considering he has barely played since being benched for Russell Wilson. That being said, Kyle Allen would be the primary backup if Fields is unable to play during Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (hand) was a limited participant during Monday's practice session. It's worth noting that it's a estimated practice report, so fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into it. Anderson appears to have suffered a hand injury, but played his normal amount of snaps during Saturday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. This could be the Texans just being cautious with Anderson to begin the week. The assumption is that he'll be fine in time for Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) is expected to get back on the practice field on Thursday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The rookie back is dealing with multiple injuries that kept him out of last week's game against the Miami Dolphins. His absence resulted in the 49ers using a committee approach in the backfield with two other backs sidelined as well. The hope is that Guerendo will be able to return for the Week 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions. He could be a low-end RB2 if he's healthy in time for that contest.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer (hamstring) was absent from Monday's practice session. This doesn't come as much of a surprise after Homer missed Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. The loss of Homer doesn't mean much for this offense considering he has only played in three games this season. He'll continue to serve as the third string back to D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson in the backfield. That being said, Homer is unlikely to have much of a role even if he's cleared in time for the Week 17 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that the team will not rest quarterback Kyler Murray in either of the final two games of the season despite being officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday. The Cardinals have two divisional games remaining, at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17 on Saturday night and at home versus the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18. Because of his dual-threat abilities at the QB position, Murray has been a top-12 fantasy player at his position in 2024, but he's had mixed results for his fantasy managers in recent weeks, including in the Week 16 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in which he had two TDs (one throwing, one rushing) but also two interceptions. The 27-year-old will remain a low-end QB1 option in fantasy this Saturday against a Rams team that he threw for 266 yards and three TDs against way back in Week 2.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (concussion) was not able to practice on Monday for the second straight day this week. Hill suffered a concussion on Saturday in the team's Week 16 win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and now is likely fighting an uphill battle to be available on a short turnaround in Week 17 against the Houston Texans on Christmas Day on Wednesday. Even if the 27-year-old takes part in practice on Tuesday, he'll need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist, which is unlikely to happen on a short week. Fantasy managers that have been using the pass-catching back in a flex spot should plan to be without Hill this week. Derrick Henry is Baltimore's clear lead back and will continue to be so on Wednesday, but if Hill is out, it will open the door for Keaton Mitchell and rookie Rasheen Ali to compete for change-of-pace work.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receivers Zay Flowers (shoulder) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) were both listed as non-participants at Monday's practice for the second straight day. However, head coach John Harbaugh was "pretty optimistic" on Sunday that Flowers would play on Christmas Day on Wednesday in Week 17 against the Houston Texans. Flowers had a 100-yard performance on five catches in Saturday's win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday but also picked up a shoulder injury. Agholor, meanwhile, appears to be trending toward a second straight absence due to a concussion on another short week. If Flowers ends up being inactive on Thursday, Rashod Bateman would be Baltimore's No. 1 wideout, with tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely also seeing expanded roles. Flowers ultimately could draw a questionable tag, but if he plays, he'll be a WR3/flex in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
The Baltimore Ravens claimed wide receiver Steven Sims off waivers on Monday from the Houston Texans. The move to add Sims comes after the Ravens waived disgruntled wideout Diontae Johnson late last week, who was ironically claimed by the Texans. The two teams will face off against each other on Christmas Day on Wednesday. The 27-year-old mostly served in a special teams role with the Texans the last two years. In only seven games played this year, Sims was not targeted at all in the passing game and had just one carry for no gain. The Ravens are likely just bringing Sims in as extra receiver insurance on a short week with both Zay Flowers (shoulder) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) banged up. Even if Flowers and Agholor are ruled out on Christmas Day, we'd be surprised if Sims played an immediate big role on offense for the Ravens.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder) and tight end Cade Stover (illness) were both upgraded to full practice participants on Monday after they were listed as limited for the first practice of Week 17 on Sunday. Metchie didn't practice at all last week and was ruled out of the Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. However, a return to a full practice on Monday gives the 24-year-old pass-catcher a great shot at being active on Christmas Day on Wednesday for the Week 17 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. In addition to the Ravens defense being a great matchup for the Texans receivers, Metchie could have an expanded role if he's active this week now that Tank Dell (knee) is out for the year. Still, fantasy managers playing for a championship shouldn't consider Metchie, who had a 13-146-1 line in five games before his shoulder injury.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots WR Alex Erickson reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Dec. 23, after being on the active roster for the Week 16 game.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on a conference call with the media on Monday that All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) will miss the team's final two games of the regular season. Williams hasn't played since Week 11 and will end up missing the final seven games of the 2024 campaign due to an ankle injury that took much longer to heal than the team was expecting. And with the Niners being officially eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday, there is no reason for the team to bring the veteran 11-time Pro Bowler back for meaningless games. The 36-year-old's injury-plagued season was one of many frustrating situations with the 49ers and some of their key players in 2024. Williams also dealt with the tragic death of his son this year. Jaylon Moore will protect quarterback Brock Purdy's blind side in the last two games.
From RotoBaller
In the team's estimated practice report on Monday, the Seattle Seahawks listed running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) as a non-participant after he injured his ankle in Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. Walker missed the previous two games due to a calf injury but returned last weekend, only to be pulled in the second half with a new injury. The 24-year-old took over lead-back duties immediately against Minnesota over backfield mate Zach Charbonnet (elbow), but it only amounted to eight carries for 31 yards. However, he salvaged his fantasy day with a season-high-tying eight catches for 28 yards. Sunday's game cemented the fact that Walker is still Seattle's preferred backfield option when healthy. The problem is Walker isn't healthy again and faces a short week to get right before a Thursday night game in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. Right now, Charbonnet is the better bet to play on Thursday.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (knee) was listed as limited on the team's estimated practice report on Monday. The Seahawks didn't actually hold a practice on Monday, so Fant's status was merely an estimation. The 27-year-old was on the injury report last week as well with a minor knee injury before playing through it on Sunday and securing only three of his six targets for 50 yards in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. He's probably not going to get much practice work in on a short week, but barring a setback with his knee, Fant should be available for Thursday night's clash against the Chicago Bears. Fant logged 75 percent of the offensive snaps against the Vikes and will continue to operate as a low-ceiling TE for fantasy managers this week behind receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Fant has only cleared 50 receiving yards three times in 2024 and doesn't have a TD.
From RotoBaller