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FFL: Week 11 | NFL: Week 11

Best Ball Scout Championship

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

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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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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11

Player Notes
Rashod Bateman Nov 18 10:00am ET
Rashod Bateman

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has been operating as the team's deep threat this year but wasn't able to find much open field against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday's loss. The Minnesota product finished with two receptions for 30 yards on five targets. The passing game went stale as Lamar Jackson completed under 50% of his throws, and Bateman couldn't get open down the field. The offense will look to bounce back in a big way against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Farley Nov 18 9:50am ET
Caleb Farley

According to agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey, cornerback Caleb Farley is moving up to the Carolina Panthers active roster for the long term. Farley has bounced back and forth between the team's practice squad and active roster, as he's appeared in three games for them this season. He was the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and played two seasons with the Tennessee Titans before two separate stints on the IR and one season on the PUP list. So far this season, he's played 29 snaps on defense and 23 on special teams.

From RotoBaller

Tommy DeVito Nov 18 9:40am ET
Tommy DeVito

New York Giants quarterback Tommy Devito will return under center after Daniel Jones has been benched coming out of the team's bye week. The Giants sit at 2-8 which is the worst record in the entire NFC through almost 11 weeks. To make matters worse, they've scored the least amount of points in the NFL with 156. Enter Tommy Cutlets, who captured a lot of hearts last season as an underdog, heartwarming story. He guided the Giants to a 3-3 record during his starts while accumulating 1,101 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions on a 64.0% completion percentage along with 195 yards and another score on 36 attempts.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Nov 18 9:30am ET
Daniel Jones

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has been underwhelming, to say the least, after receiving his big contract extension. With the team sitting at 2-8 coming out of the bye week, they have decided to bench their starting quarterback and move in a different direction. Through 10 starts this year, Jones has amassed 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions on a 63.3% completion percentage. He also registered a 79.4 passer rating and was sacked 29 times, which is fifth-most in the league. The bad news for the Giants is that Jones isn't set to become a free agent until 2027.

From RotoBaller

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Nov 18 9:24am ET
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dynasty | Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had ten catches for 110 yards in Seattle's win against San Francisco. Dynasty Analysis: It really looks as if JSN has passed Tyler Lockett as Seattle's WR2 behind DK Metcalf. In fact, he has a whopping 24 targets over the past two weeks and that's big-time news for a player who was badly needing a breakout season. While he hasn't been the dominant force many hoped he'd be thus far in his career, things are clearly looking much better for him this season. At this point, it's safe to say any "buy low" window has closed.

Bo Nix Nov 18 9:24am ET
Bo Nix

Dynasty | Broncos quarterback Bo Nix completed 28-of-33 passes for 307 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in a blowout win over Atlanta. Dynasty Analysis: Wow. While much of the talk this year has revolved around Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, Nix is doing his best to hang with the best of the bunch and today was an absolute masterpiece,. It certainly looks like Sean Payton has found his quarterback and Nix himself is starting to look like a QB1 instead of a QB2 in the process. His dynasty value is clearly on the rise.

Nick Bosa Nov 18 9:24am ET
Nick Bosa

Per beat writer Tracy Sandler of FGSN, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (obliques) is now having trouble with both obliques. Bosa was forced from the team's 20-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11 after injuring his oblique. The 27-year-old came into Sunday's home tilt after missing practice due to a hip/oblique ailment and reported overcompensating on his second sack of quarterback Geno Smith and injuring the other one. Unfortunately, the superstar pass-rusher noted that he's concerned he'll have to miss some time but said, "We're going to see." San Francisco had not let up a touchdown to their division rivals on Sunday until the former first-round pick exited the game. He will almost certainly miss practice again this week, but the 49ers will hope to have him back for their Week 12 road matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Nick Chubb Nov 18 9:23am ET
Nick Chubb

Dynasty | Browns running back Nick Chubb had 50 rushing yards in a loss to the Saints. Dynasty Analysis: Chubb had a good matchup on paper and posted a healthy 4.5 yards per carry on the day. However, a negative game script put him on the bench for most of the game as Jameis Winston threw the ball 46 times on the day. Chubb has been decent since returning, but the Browns offense just isn't one to rely on at the moment. He should be on dynasty benches for the time being.

Amon-Ra St. Brown Nov 18 9:23am ET
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Dynasty | Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had 11 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns in a win against the Jaguars. Dynasty Analysis: ASB caught every one of his targets and could have honestly went for more than 200 yards today if the game was even remotely competitive. Whlie Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson get a lot of the headlines, there are few players better to have in dynasty leagues than St. Brown, who has looked every bit the part of a dominant wide receiver in dynasty leagues all season. He's untouchable at the moment.

Raheem Mostert Nov 18 5:50am ET
Raheem Mostert

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert carried the ball three times for a loss of two yards in Sunday's 34-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. In the wake of Mostert's fumble troubles, it's looking increasingly like head coach Mike McDaniels favors turning to youngster Jaylen Wright behind De'Von Achane for the RB2 role. In recent weeks, Wright has seen a slight uptick in involvement, outpacing Mostert in carries four to three on Sunday. He went from a combined 30 carries in Weeks 7-9 to three in the last two weeks. Although there are still some opportunities to escape the doghouse, Miami has little margin for error in a tight battle for a playoff spot. The next matchup is at home against the struggling New England Patriots.

From RotoBaller

Jason Sanders Nov 18 5:50am ET
Jason Sanders

Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts and 4-for-4 on extra points in their 34-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11. He hit from 31 and 46 yards out. This marks the fourth straight game where Sanders has made all his kicks. With the offense presenting more scoring opportunities in recent weeks, it's fitting to see him taking advantage. The 29-year-old has shown the consistency to be a weekly start in fantasy lineups moving forward. Sanders and the Dolphins will host the New England Patriots in a game that should present plenty of chances to rack up points in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Keenan Allen Nov 18 5:40am ET
Keenan Allen

On Sunday, Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen had another quiet performance in the team's Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Allen finished with just four receptions for 41 yards, a far cry from the dynamic playmaker he was last season. Despite being targeted 8 times by quarterback Caleb Williams, Allen could not make a significant impact. That said, it was encouraging to see him come up clutch on a few vital third-down plays, proving he's still effective at getting open in critical situations. The recent coaching change, with Thomas Brown taking over as offensive coordinator, seems to have sparked some life in the Bears' offense, even if Allen's production didn't reflect that shift. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they host the tough Minnesotabrutalngs at Soldier Field next Sunday. A challenging matchup against Brian Flores' defense awaits.

From RotoBaller

Rome Odunze Nov 18 5:40am ET
Rome Odunze

In Week 11, Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze led the team in receiving yards and targets during the 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Odunze finished with six receptions for 65 yards but was kept out of the end zone like many of his teammates. Despite the loss, it was encouraging to see Odunze take on a more prominent role in the Bears' offense under the new coaching direction. With Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, Odunze emerged as a go-to target for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, mainly when the Bears needed a big play. He came up clutch on a crucial 4th down late in the game, keeping the Bears' drive alive and showing his growing rapport with Williams. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they host the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field next Sunday. A tough matchup against Brian Flores' defense looms on the horizon.

From RotoBaller

Cole Kmet Nov 18 5:40am ET
Cole Kmet

In Week 11, Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet had a quiet outing in the team's narrow 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Kmet finished with just three receptions for 42 yards, a far cry from the fantasy production many had hoped for. However, it was encouraging to see him more involved in the offense compared to recent weeks, a sign that the Bears may be trying to get him more involved moving forward. The coaching change, with Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, seemed to spark some life in the Bears' offense, though Kmet's numbers didn't fully reflect the shift. While he's not a consistent fantasy option, he could still be worth stashing on your bench, especially with bye weeks on the horizon. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they welcome the tough Minnesota Vikings to Soldier Field next Sunday. Brian Flores' defense presents another challenging matchup for Kmet and the Bears.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Nov 18 5:30am ET
Caleb Williams

This Sunday, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams faced a tough test against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11. While Williams showed flashes of his potential, it was still a mixed performance. He completed 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards but, once again, failed to find the end zone, extending his streak without a passing touchdown. On a positive note, Williams added 70 rushing yardshis highest total of the seasonshowing off his mobility and ability to make plays with his legs. The recent change at offensive coordinator, with Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron, seemed to spark a slight resurgence in the Bears' offense. However, despite Williams' improvements, his inability to score touchdowns keeps him relegated to QB2 in fantasy leagues. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they welcome the tough Minnesota Vikings to Soldier Field next Sunday. Minnesota's defense, led by Brian Flores, will present another significant challenge for the young quarterback.

From RotoBaller

D'Andre Swift Nov 18 5:30am ET
D'Andre Swift

On Sunday, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift turned in another strong performance in the team's Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Swift made the most of his 14 carries, rushing for 71 yardsan impressive 5.1 yards per carryand capped off his day with a spectacular 39-yard touchdown run. He also contributed in the passing game, adding two catches for 13 yards. The recent change at offensive coordinator, with Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron, seemed to spark a slight resurgence in the Bears' offense, and Swift benefited from the new approach. Despite the tough loss, Swift's performance further solidifies his role as a key piece of the offense moving forward. That said, one of the league's toughest remaining schedules for running backs may test his fantasy value. Still, it will be hard to sit Swift, given how well he's been playing. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they welcome the tough Minnesota Vikings to Soldier Field next Sunday, where they'll face a challenging defense led by Brian Flores.

From RotoBaller

Roschon Johnson Nov 18 5:30am ET
Roschon Johnson

On Sunday, Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson made his mark in the team's Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers. While his role in the offense was limited, Johnson made the most of his opportunities, rushing 10 times for 33 yards and a touchdown. Once again, he served as the short-yardage back, converting a goal-line touch into a score. Johnson also caught one pass for 8 yards. The coaching change, with Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, seemed to slightly improve the Bears' offense, and Johnson's role remains steady. While he faces a tough upcoming schedule, his position in the Bears' backfield appears secure. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they host the tough Minnesotabrutalngs next Sunday at Soldier Field. Minnesota's defense, led by Brian Flores, will provide another significant challenge.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Nov 18 5:30am ET
D.J. Moore

In Week 11, Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore showed signs of improvement in the team's 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. While he finished with seven receptions for seven 62 yards, Moore was again kept out of the end zone. He also had minimal impact in the rushing game, with just one carry for 5 yards. Despite the lack of a touchdown, it was encouraging to see Moore utilized more creatively within the offense. The recent change at offensive coordinator, with Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron, seems to have sparked a bit of life in the Bears' attack. While Moore's production didn't reach its full potential this week, his expanded role could signal more fantasy value soon. Looking ahead, the Bears won't have much time to regroup as they welcome the tough Minnesota Vikings to Soldier Field next Sunday. A challenging matchup against Brian Flores' defense awaits.

From RotoBaller

JuJu Smith-Schuster Nov 18 3:33am ET
JuJu Smith-Schuster

Kansas City Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster hauled in his only target for eight yards in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills.

Fantasy Spin: It was just over a month ago when it seemed Smith-Schuster was going to be a league-winner after putting up seven catches for 130 yards against the New Orleans Saints. He suffered a hamstring injury shortly thereafter and the team traded for DeAndre Hopkins, which pushed him behind the former Tennessee Titan and Travis Kelce in the passing game pecking order. Smith-Schuster can be dropped in most of the leagues that managers were hoping he could return to some version of his previous role.

From TheHuddle

Raheem Mostert Nov 18 3:33am ET
Raheem Mostert

Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (hip) had three carries for minus-two yards against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 17.

Fantasy Spin: A week after logging two touches (zero carries), Mostert had just three on Sunday. He did exit with a hip injury before returning. It's unclear what exactly is going on with the the veteran, but for a player that scored 21 touchdowns last year to be doing basically nothing in back-to-back weeks is obviously concerning. You might want to hold onto Mostert for one more week to see if the trend continues or we get clarification for his reduced role, but the veteran is definitely looking like he's on borrowed time right now.

From TheHuddle