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.
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Lineup Prep: Week 9
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Waivering: Week 9
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: The Weekly Bender: Navigating the Tight End Position
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Studs and Duds: Week 8
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 8
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 8
- Packers QB Jordan Love (groin) 'realistic' to not practice, then play vs. Lions
- 49ers GM: Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) could return to practice Monday
- Saints QB Derek Carr (oblique) practices, expected to play vs. Panthers
- Citing 'heart, growth' Lions' coach maintains support of WR Jameson Williams
- Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) out vs. Chargers
- Texans rule out RB Dameon Pierce (groin) for Thursday
- Panthers QB Bryce Young to start against Saints
- Brian Daboll on 2-6 Giants' woes: 'Face things head on'
- Cowboys activate CB DaRon Bland from injured reserve
- Colts coach: QB Joe Flacco is team's starting QB 'going forward'
- Jaguars coach 'feels good' about return of RB Travis Etienne
- Jets sign 2 kickers to practice squad ahead of 'TNF'
- Vikings acquire LT Cam Robinson from Jaguars
- 49ers CB Charvarius Ward reveals death of 1-year-old daughter
- Ravens acquire WR Diontae Johnson from Panthers
- Colts bench QB Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco
- Texans WR Stefon Diggs (ACL) out for the season
- Giants coach confirms Daniel Jones remains QB1
- Steelers QB Justin Fields (hamstring) inactive for MNF
- Falcons' revamped offense continues to impress HC Raheem Morris
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Start-Sit Week 9 | Is Bo Nix Your Quarterback Solution?
- Fantasy Six Pack: IDP Streamers Week 9 | Move for Alim McNeill
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Rest of Season Rankings
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Usage Report Week 8 | Achane and Miami Are Back!
- Fantasy Life: WR Matchups for Week 9: Spots to Target and Avoid
- Fantasy Life: The RB Set To Explode In Fantasy Football (Soon)
- Fantasy Life: Fantasy Football Buy, Sell, Hold: Go Get George Pickens
- Fantasy Life: Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Austin Ekeler, Ray-Ray McCloud and More
- Fantasy Life: Week 9 Pigskin Pick'em: Picking the Winner of Every NFL Game
- Fantasy Life: Best Bets For Thursday Night Football Week 9: Jets vs Texans
The Paur Report
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (groin) missed Wednesday's practice due to a groin strain. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Love sees a "realistic chance" of suiting up on Sunday against the Detroit Lions despite missing practice on Wednesday. The 25-year-old exited last Sunday's 30-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars early with a groin strain and is labeled day-to-day. He has been terrific this season, throwing for 1,547 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while rushing for 28 yards on 10 attempts over six games. Love will try to practice later in the week and look to play in a divisional battle against Detroit. Malik Willis would start for Green Bay if Love is inactive. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Love's status heading into Week 9. Love is currently QB10 in the latest RotoBaller Week 9 rankings and is a must-start if active in a plus matchup against the Lions.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (chest) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Houston Texans. Lazard will miss his second consecutive game due to a chest injury. The 28-year-old has caught a touchdown in three of his last five contests. Overall, Lazard has caught 30 of 44 targets for 412 yards and five touchdowns across seven games in 2024. Lazard's next chance to suit up will be Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals. Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams will lead the Jets wide receivers corps on Thursday, and Mike Williams is expected to see an increased role with Lazard sidelined. Despite playing 58% of the offensive snaps, Williams wasn't targeted in last Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. The 30-year-old is off the fantasy radar outside deep leagues in a plus matchup against a vulnerable Texans secondary.
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets defense will take on the Houston Texans at home in Week 9's Thursday night game. The Texans have underperformed on offense this season and will be without both of their top two receivers as Nico Collins (hamstring) and Stefon Diggs (knee) won't play. The Jets have also underperformed at times on defense this season but they are still worth considering as a top-12 fantasy defense heading into Thursday night.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Panthers will start quarterback Bryce Young this week. Dynasty Analysis: Hope springs eternal in Charlotte as Young at least showed a tiny glimpse of potential last week when he didn't completely faceplant in a spot start for Andy Dalton. He'll take on a suddenly reeling Saints team with the Panthers hoping upon hope he can build upon last week's game and start looking like the player they thought they drafted. Young's performance this week will be big as the trade deadline is coming and he could be on the block. At this point, his dynasty value is steal near zero.
Dynasty | Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks could make his NFL debut this week. Dynasty Analysis: Brooks is coming back from a torn ACL suffered while he was at Texas and the Panthers have been taking it slowly with him. However, it seems they'll finally have what they hope is their future workhorse at running back in the fold as early as this week. Chuba Hubbard has been stellar this season, so don't expect Brooks to come in and suddenly make him irrelevant. Still, this is exciting as dynasty managers who drafted Brooks have been waiting patiently.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd (shoulder) did not participate in Wednesday's practice. The 29-year-old's status suddenly appears to be in doubt ahead of Week 9 versus the New England Patriots. Both Boyd and Calvin Ridley were non-participants during practice, leaving Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as the Titans' top healthy receiver. There's still plenty of time for both Boyd and Ridley to get healthy, but if they don't, Westbrook-Ikhine would step up as Tennessee's No. 1 receiver at home.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (personal) has been sidelined with a non-football-related issue for over a month, but head coach Antonio Pierce said that the 23-year-old is "getting close" to making his return. Mayer played a depth role through three games at the start of the season, catching just four passes for 21 yards and zero touchdowns. He remains buried behind rookie Brock Bowers and should be avoided in all fantasy leagues, even if he returns as soon as he's eligible in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring) was a limited participant during practice on Wednesday. The 23-year-old has missed two consecutive games, but it looks like he's getting closer to returning for Week 9 against the New England Patriots. Through five games as the backup to Tony Pollard, Spears registered 114 rushing yards, 76 receiving yards, and one touchdown. He's a solid bench stash but can't be trusted in fantasy lineups.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (hip) was limited during practice on Wednesday. While it's always noteworthy when someone appears on the injury report, McConkey is trending in the right direction. After all, he was able to get on the field Wednesday and still has four days to get even healthier before the Chargers face the Cleveland Browns. The rookie, who totaled 111 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday, is a low-end fantasy WR3 for Week 9.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (oblique) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. The veteran joins DK Metcalf (knee) and Laviska Shenault Jr. (knee) as Seattle's wide receivers on the initial Week 9 injury report. Given that Lockett was able to get on the field in some capacity, it seems like he's trending toward playing on Sunday versus the Los Angeles Rams. Assuming he suits up, he'll rank as a low-end fantasy WR3.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (groin) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice. The veteran wide receiver was designated to return from injured reserve earlier this month and appears to be getting closer to making his return. Chark hasn't played yet this year, but he was solid in Carolina last season, contributing 35 catches for 525 yards and five touchdowns. However, with players like Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Josh Palmer making a strong impression, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Chark to carve out a significant role on offense upon his activation.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (ankle) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. The second-year pass-catcher has been sidelined for two consecutive games but is making impressive strides ahead of his potential return to the field in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns. The 23-year-old has made solid offensive contributions this year but isn't a very dependable redraft option in a receiver room that also features Ladd McConkey and Josh Palmer.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin caught a touchdown, his second of the season, in a loss to the New England Patriots in Week 8. Conklin will look to keep it going against the Houston Texans in Week 9's Thursday night game. The Texans have been tough on tight ends this season, allowing just the 30th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Conklin has turned in a few nice games for fantasy this season but this is not the week to trust him in starting lineups. Treat him as a low-end TE2 this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (shoulder) and running back Tony Pollard (foot) were both listed as non-participants on the team's Wednesday practice report. It's an interesting development, as neither player looked hampered by an injury in Tennessee's 52-14 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions. Pollard (82%) and Ridley (79%) were both on the field for their typical allotment of snaps on Sunday, so maybe we can chalk it up as a veteran's day of rest. Still, the DNP designation is slightly concerning. With the Titans hosting the New England Patriots in Week 9, the duo's practice participation over the next two days will be telling of their Sunday status. Considering Pollard has been solid all season, and Ridley is coming off his breakout game in Week 8 -- fantasy managers will want to monitor their progress ahead of Week 9.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (quad) and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) were both listed as limited participants for the team's first practice of the week. White logged just two snaps in the team's 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8, and the quad ailment could be the reason why. It's the second injury that's hampered his playing time this month after he suffered a groin injury that held him out of Weeks 5 and 6. Meyers, on the other hand, returned in Week 8 from an ankle injury that kept him out of Weeks 6 and 7, and this may be just a day of rest for the veteran. The 27-year-old played 81% of snaps in the loss to the Chiefs, catching 6-of-7 targets for 52 yards and a touchdown. He's worth monitoring ahead of the Raiders' Week 9 road tilt against the Cincinnati Bengals, while White will likely continue backing up backfield mate Alexander Mattison if he plays.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has notched three 100-yard receiving games over his past four contests. He will look to keep it going against the Houston Texans in Week 9's Thursday night game. Wilson has yet to feel a target squeeze with Davante Adams in town as he has 17 in the two games since the Jets added the latter in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Texans have been vulnerable against receivers this season as they are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position in 2024. Wilson sets up as a high-end WR2 heading into Week 9.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams has yet to post a big game since his new team traded for him two weeks ago, catching seven passes for 84 yards in two games. He will look to make a bigger impact on his team's offense heading into Week 9's Thursday night game against the Houston Texans. Houston represents a plus matchup for Adams as they are allowing the eight-most fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Treat Adams as a low-end WR2 heading into Week 9.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith leads the NFL with 2,197 passing yards and 274.6 passing yards per game.
Fantasy Spin: Smith has thrown for more than 280 yards in five of his eight games, but he has thrown just eight touchdowns compared to seven interceptions. The steady yardage totals give Smith a decent floor, but he will need to find the end zone more often to be more than a QB2.
From TheHuddle
New York Jets running back Breece Hall ran for 80 scoreless yards on 18 carries in a Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will look for more in Week 9's Thursday night game against the Houston Texans. Houston has been tough on opposing running backs this season as they are allowing just the 29th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Despite the tough matchup, Hall remains busy enough in the passing game to make him mostly matchup-proof from a fantasy perspective, so he can still be treated as a mid-range RB1 heading into Week 9.
From RotoBaller
On Wednesday, Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity. It's the second straight limited practice for the 25-year-old, dating back to last week after he was tagged with a DNP in five consecutive sessions. Ford hasn't appeared in a game since the team's 20-16 loss to the Eagles, when he participated on just four snaps before sustaining a hamstring injury. However, it appears he's turned a corner in his recovery. The former fifth-round pick will have two more chances to up his practice level before Cleveland hosts the Los Angeles Chargers in their third-straight home matchup. Even if he suits up, the third-year running back is nothing more than a handcuff with Nick Chubb back in the fold. If Ford is out again, running backs D'Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong Jr. will continue to work as a change-of-pace option behind Chubb.
From RotoBaller
