Best Ball Scout Championship
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.
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The Paur Report
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas posted his first goose egg of the season against the Cleveland Browns. The second-year wideout finished the game with one target but didn't haul it in, and was not used in the running game. When Tee Higgins returned, Iosivas' target share dropped in each game. In fact, Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase received 14 targets combined. As long as the top receivers are healthy, Iosivas has a limited ceiling. He'll have another shot at finding the end zone against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker struggled to find many targets or open field as did the rest of the passing game against the Washington Commanders. Coker finished the game with one target, one reception, and 10 yards. As a whole, the Panthers produced 85 total yards through the air as Andy Dalton was stifled all game long. The offense has now produced only three games with more than 10 points, which is going to limit Coker's upside until they can figure out their deficiencies.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo hauled in four passes for 50 yards on four targets in a 34-10 loss at Buffalo in Week 7. This marked the young tight end's best game of the season, having failed to top 16 receiving yards up to this point. His 26-yard reception in the first quarter set up Tennessee's only touchdown drive of the game, and he displayed solid chemistry with new starting quarterback Mason Rudolph on the afternoon. With how unreliable this Titans passing attack continues to be, Okonkwo is still not a great option moving forward, but there may be ample opportunity next week in Detroit with the Titans likely playing catch-up.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington was able to suit up on Sunday despite a shoulder injury throughout the week, but he didn't appear in the box score in this game. Whittington didn't receive any targets even though the Rams had a depleted receiver corps. Tyler Johnson and Tutu Atwell led the receivers while Demarcus Robinson received a target too. With Cooper Kupp (ankle) expected to return for their Thursday night matchup in Week 8, Whittington's value seems to be on the decline in shallower fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers continues to show he's their best offensive weapon. In his Week 7 game against the Los Angeles Rams, Bowers caught 10 passes on 14 targets for 93 yards. He's easily their best pass-catcher and chain-mover. He's also an absolute stud in PPR fantasy formats and currently ranks as the TE1 overall. His target volume could remain high even when lead receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) returns, and should be better than it was in the early season with Davante Adams was still a part of the team. Las Vegas will square off with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8, but matchups should be ignored when deciding to start or sit Bowers. He must be started.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson reminded the fantasy world that he's still great in the Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Carlson booted two kicks of 27 yards, two of 38 yards, and one of 47 yards, all without missing an attempt. He didn't have any opportunities for extra points. It was an uncharacteristic game for the seventh-year pro in that he had just ten field goal attempts through his first six games. While he's a great player at his position, the opportunities for days like this could remain few and far between. The Rams defense has been one of the league's worst. Next, the Raiders will face one of the league's best defenses when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Carlson is unlikely to get much volume and is mostly an option in very deep leagues.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II was substituted in when lead quarterback Aidan O'Connell (thumb) was forced out for the rest of the game due to an injury when the Raiders played the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. The former Jacksonville Jaguar finished the game, but it was a dreadful outing. H completed 15 of 34 passes for 154 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He also carried the ball once for two yards and lost a fumble. Las Vegas lost 15-20, so it's safe to say the giveaways were the difference. O'Connell seems to be set to miss time, so Minshew could start against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. He's difficult to trust against KC's elite defense, even in 2QB leagues.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (groin) was able to return to play in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams. He was only given three carries, which he took for 13 yards, and one catch, which he gained 14 yards on. It's likely that he was used minimally due to the injury he was recovering from. It's hard to draw conclusions based on a game like this. Even star players will sometimes see little to no work in their first game back from an injury absence. That said, he hasn't played well this season, and is best left on the bench in Week 8, when the Raiders face the Kansas City Chiefs and their elite run defense.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker hauled in three passes on eight targets for 37 yards and rushed one time for 11 yards in the team's loss to the Los Angeles Rams In week 7. He was mostly held in check despite being the top receiver option available for the team. All of Las Vegas' offense has been underperforming for most of the season save for tight end Brock Bowers. Moving forward, the second-year pro isn't an intriguing start option given the state of the offense. With wide receiver Davante Adams now on the Jets, Tucker is the WR2 for the team when Jakobi Meyers (ankle) returns to the lineup. The Raiders face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. Tucker an appetizing start for that matchup.
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets defense struggled in Week 7, allowing 37 points and notching just one sack in a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets were shredded by Russell Wilson in his first start of the season as they allowed the Steelers to rack up 409 yards of total offense in the blowout loss on Sunday night. Their lone sack came from Will McDonald IV, who notched his eighth sack of the season. The Jets will look to bounce back in Week 8 against the New England Patriots.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard caught all four of his targets for 58 yards in a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. Lazard finished third on the team in receiving yards in the lopsided loss, despite drawing only the four targets. Aaron Rodgers keyed in on his top two receivers in the contest, sending nine targets apiece toward Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams. The addition of Adams last week in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders is expected to hurt Lazard the most, although he scratched out a decent game on Sunday night. Expect Adams to be more of a thorn in Lazard's side as the former gets more comfortable with his new team. Treat Lazard as a low-end flex option heading into Week 8 against the New England Patriots.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin caught all four of his targets for seven yards and a touchdown in a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. Conklin did not rack up the yardage in this one but he salvaged his night with a one-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter of the contest on Sunday night. The veteran tight end has been a decent option as a fantasy tight end this season, catching 23 passes for 198 yards and one touchdown through seven games. He will be a TE2 in fantasy in Week 8 when the Jets take on the New England Patriots.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein missed his lone field-goal attempt but added an extra point in a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. Zuerlein has struggled of late as he has missed three field goals over the past two games and has made just eight of 13 through seven games this season. The Jets tried out other kickers last week in practice and could consider pursuing another option at the position again this week. Zuerlein will hope to remain the team's kicker heading into a Week 8 matchup against the New England Patriots.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen carried the ball two times for four yards and added a two-yard catch in a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. Allen has seen his workload decrease dramatically since Todd Downing took over play-calling duties from Nathaniel Hackett two weeks ago. Since the reshuffling on the coaching staff, Allen has just five carries for 12 yards. Allen remains a quality handcuff option in fantasy leagues but he should not be in starting lineups moving forward. The Jets will take on the New England Patriots in Week 8.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson caught six of his nine targets for 61 yards in a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. Wilson and Davante Adams wound up both drawing nine targets in their first game together since the Jets acquired the latter in the trade from the Las Vegas Raiders last week. For fantasy managers with Wilson on their rosters, it was encouraging to see as there were some concerns the addition of Adams would cut into Wilson's production. Wilson now has 46 catches for 460 yards and three touchdowns through seven games this season. He will take on the New England Patriots in Week 8 in a rematch from Week 3 when he caught five passes for 33 yards and a touchdown.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams caught three of his nine targets for 30 yards in a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. Making his debut with the Jets after they acquired him from the Las Vegas Raiders last week, Adams tied for the team lead in targets but was unable to get on the same page as Aaron Rodgers for much of the night. Adams should produce more in the coming weeks as he has more time to acclimate with his new team. Treat him as a WR2 heading into a Week 8 matchup against the New England Patriots.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of his 39 passes for 276 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. Rodgers has uncharacteristically struggled to take care of the ball of late, throwing six interceptions over his past three games. The veteran quarterback threw his lone touchdown to Tyler Conklin in the lopsided loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday night. Rodgers has now thrown for 1,663 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions through seven games this season. Settled in as a QB2 in fantasy moving forward, Rodgers will take on the New England Patriots on the road in Week 8. He threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns back when these two teams met in Week 3.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Breece Hall carried the ball 12 times for 38 yards and a touchdown while adding six catches for 103 yards in a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. For the second consecutive week, Hall dominated the backfield touches as Braelon Allen saw just two carries in the lopsided loss to the Steelers. Hall showed his skills in the passing game on Sunday night as he wound up leading the Jets in receiving. The veteran running back is putting together a solid season, rushing for 348 yards and adding 32 catches for 307 yards and four all-purpose touchdowns through seven games. Hall will be an RB1 in fantasy when the Jets take on the New England Patriots in Week 8. He ran for 54 yards and a touchdown back when these two teams met in Week 3.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers CB Donte Jackson (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury during the team's Week 7 win over the New York Jets and did not return.
From TheHuddle
New York Jets WR Davante Adams caught three of his nine targets for 30 yards in Week 7 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Fantasy Spin: It was impossible to know what to expect in Adams' first game. On one hand, he was being reunited with good buddy Aaron Rodgers. On the other hand, he was less than a week removed from being traded to New York, had not played in nearly a month, was lined up opposite stud corner Joey Porter Jr. a lot and had to compete with Garrett Wilson for targets. Better days are likely ahead for Adams as a Jet, but it may take a bit of time for him to truly adapt to his new surroundings. Keep starting him in fantasy.
From TheHuddle
