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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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Player Notes
Dalton Schultz Sep 19 8:10pm ET
Dalton Schultz

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (ankle) was able to practice in full on Thursday after he was listed as a limited participant for the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Even though Schultz is on the Week 3 injury report, his return to a full practice on Thursday should pave the way for him to be active this Sunday to take on the 2-0 Minnesota Vikings. There are a lot of mouths to feed through the air in this Houston offense, and Schultz has only garnered six targets through two games, hauling in five of them for 37 yards and no touchdowns. The slow start has pushed him down to TE2 territory in fantasy, but the Week 3 matchup against the Vikings could put him in play to have his best game of the early 2024 campaign. The Vikings defense has allowed the fifth-most half-PPR fantasy points to the tight end position through two games.

From RotoBaller

Raheem Mostert Sep 19 8:10pm ET
Raheem Mostert

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (chest) put in his second straight day of limited practice this week on Thursday after he was held out of last Thursday night's loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills on a short week. In addition, RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (oblique) upgraded to a full practice on Thursday after he was limited on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Mostert has apparently improved since last week, but he could still be questionable for the Week 3 game at Lumen Field against the Seattle Seahawks. In the Week 1 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mostert played 44% of the offensive snaps behind De'Von Achane and had only six carries for a measly nine rushing yards while catching two passes for 10 yards. Miami is going to rotate their backs in 2024, but it's clear that Achane is the favorite to lead in touches, and he also has the most upside of any Dolphins back. Mostert heads into Week 3 as a shaky fantasy RB.

From RotoBaller

Noah Fant Sep 19 8:00pm ET
Noah Fant

Seattle Seahawks tight ends Noah Fant (toe) and Pharaoh Brown (foot) were both listed as limited in Thursday's practice for the second straight day this week as they prepare to face off against the visiting Miami Dolphins in Week 3 at Lumen Field. Fant can't seem to shake his toe injury early this year, but it hasn't kept him from playing through the season's first two weeks. The 26-year-old has played at least 75% of the offensive snaps in coordinator Ryan Grubb's new offense, but it's led to only three catches on seven targets for 25 yards and no touchdowns in two weeks. He continues to be the fourth option for quarterback Geno Smith behind receivers DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, leaving him very little fantasy upside. Fant should be fine to suit up this weekend against Miami, where he should be considered a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE2.

From RotoBaller

D.K. Metcalf Sep 19 7:50pm ET
D.K. Metcalf

A day after sitting out of the first practice of the week, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (hand) practiced in full on Thursday. As long as Metcalf doesn't suffer a setback with his hand on Friday, he should be good to go to play in Week 3 versus the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field. The Dolphins defense has been pretty solid against opposing wideouts so far this year, but Metcalf should be considered a must-start in fantasy as long as he's active this Sunday. The 26-year-old pass-catcher was quiet in the season-opening win over the Denver Broncos with three catches for 29 yards before going off for 10 receptions (14 targets) for 129 yards and his first score of 2024 in last week's overtime victory over the New England Patriots.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Lockett Sep 19 7:50pm ET
Tyler Lockett

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (thigh) was listed as a limited practice participant for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Lockett has been on the team's injury report all year so far due to an injury that he's been managing since the middle of August. It hasn't caused the 31-year-old veteran to miss either of the first two weeks of the season, and he shouldn't be in danger of sitting out in Week 3 versus the visiting Miami Dolphins. He played only 54% of the offensive snaps in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos but saw that number boost up to 81% in the Week 2 win over the New England Patriots. Despite the increase in snaps last weekend, Lockett caught just two passes for 15 yards while being overshadowed by both DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Lockett could have more bust performances like that in 2024 as a WR4/flex if both Metcalf and Smith-Njigba stay healthy.

From RotoBaller

Myles Garrett Sep 19 7:40pm ET
Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett (foot) missed his second straight day of practice this week on Thursday. Garrett said he didn't "feel great" after injuring his foot in the team's Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and now that he's missed the first two practices of the week, fantasy managers in IDP leagues should be worried that he may not play this Sunday in a great matchup against the New York Giants. If the 28-year-old pass-rusher returns to practice on Friday, he'll give himself a chance to suit up in Week 3. It's expected that Garrett will end up playing through his foot injury, even if he's not completely at 100 percent health. It's hard to recommend benching one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL if he's active, but Garrett may not be able to play his normal number of defensive snaps if he's active this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Sep 19 7:30pm ET
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) wasn't with the rest of the team's RBs during early warm-ups before practice on Thursday, but he did some running off to the side again before heading indoors as practice began. It sounds as though Walker will be listed as a non-participant in practice for the second day in a row after sitting out of the team's Week 2 win over the New England Patriots last Sunday. The 23-year-old will need to get in at least a limited practice on Friday to have any shot at returning for Week 3 versus the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field. As of right now, fantasy managers should keep Walker on their benches. Although backup Zach Charbonnet did find the end zone last week, the 23-year-old averaged just 2.7 yards per carry and picked up 38 yards on 14 attempts while catching five passes for an additional 31 yards. He'll have RB2 upside again if Walker is out.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Sep 19 7:30pm ET
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) missed practice for the second straight day this week. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said already this week that it's unlikely that Njoku will return in Week 3 to face the New York Giants, so it's not much of a surprise that Njoku has yet to practice this week. Fantasy managers should be fully prepared to be without Njoku against this weekend. The 28-year-old suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and could ended up missing more time beyond this weekend. Still, he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats for now. In the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars without Njoku, Jordan Akins was only targeted once and caught it for a 10-yard gain. Meanwhile, receiver Elijah Moore drew a team-high eight targets and came away with six receptions for 44 yards. Akins is, at best, a touchdown-dependent TE2 sleeper this week.

From RotoBaller

Jamien Sherwood Sep 19 7:20pm ET
Jamien Sherwood

The New York Jets ruled linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) out for the Thursday night divisional showdown to kick off Week 3 against the New England Patriots. Mosley came into Thursday's contest with a questionable tag after not practicing on Wednesday, but he will sit this one out and try to get healthy for a Week 4 tilt against the Denver Broncos. The 32-year-old suffered a sprained right big toe in the Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans. His absence on Thursday will mean that linebacker Jamien Sherwood will likely step into a starting role in the middle of New York's defense. It's a downgrade for the Jets' defense to be sure, but against a Patriots offense that isn't scaring anyone, their defense/special teams unit should still be considered a must-start in Week 3. The Patriots have averaged only 18.0 points per game through the first two weeks.

From RotoBaller

Rome Odunze Sep 19 7:00pm ET
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze (knee) was limited for the second straight day in practice this week on Thursday. Odunze picked up a knee injury in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans but managed to suit up for last Sunday night's loss to the Houston Texans in a game in which Keenan Allen (heel) did not play. Odunze failed to capitalize with Allen out, though, with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams struggling again. The 22-year-old wideout caught two of five targets for 33 yards and has just three receptions on nine targets for 44 yards in his first two NFL contests. Odunze's fantasy value for Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts hinges on whether Allen, who has yet to practice this week, is able to return. If Allen misses a second straight contest, Odunze will be a boom/bust WR4/flex play for fantasy managers as the WR2 in Chicago behind DJ Moore.

From RotoBaller

Rachaad White Sep 19 6:40pm ET
Rachaad White

For the second straight day, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (groin) had his practice repetitions limited on Thursday after he picked up a groin injury in the Week 2 win over the Detroit Lions. White finished last Sunday's contest with only 10 carries for 18 yards while catching his only target for a five-yard gain. Fantasy managers haven't liked what they've seen from him through two weeks, as White is averaging a paltry 2.0 yards per carry with 49 total rushing yards on 25 carries. He's added seven receptions for 80 yards, though. The good news is that the 25-year-old should be fine to play in Week 3 at home against the Denver Broncos, a defense that has allowed the 11th-most half-PPR fantasy points to RBs per game through two weeks. If White is given the green light to play this Sunday, which he should, he will be in play as an RB2 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Sep 19 6:30pm ET
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf) was able to practice on a limited basis on Thursday after he picked up a DNP during the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Reed's participation level in Friday's practice could go a long way in determining whether he'll be able to play in Week 3 on the road against the Tennessee Titans. The 24-year-old's fantasy value for the week not only hinges on his health, but also on whether quarterback Jordan Love (knee) can return from an MCL sprain he suffered in the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Love is expected to be a game-time decision on Sunday. With Malik Willis running the offense in the Week 2 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Reed caught both of his targets for nine yards and carried the ball twice for 37 yards. Fantasy managers will most likely want to keep Reed benched if he's active on Sunday and Love misses a second straight game.

From RotoBaller

Josh Jacobs Sep 19 6:30pm ET
Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (back) put in a second straight day of limited practice on Thursday as the team prepares for their Week 3 road matchup in Tennessee against the Titans. Thursday is the fifth straight day that Jacobs has been limited in practice, dating back to last week. The 26-year-old suited up for the Week 2 win over the Indianapolis Colts and was heavily utilized with quarterback Jordan Love (knee) out, as he rushed the ball 32 times for 151 yards in a 16-10 victory. He should be fine to play this Sunday against the Titans, and if Love is held out for the second straight game, Jacobs figures to see another big workload out of the backfield as the Packers look to control the game and take pressure off backup QB Malik Willis. Barring something unforeseen happening with Jacobs' availability for Week 3, he should be locked into all starting lineups as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Addison Sep 19 6:20pm ET
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) sat out of practice on Thursday for the second straight day after missing the Week 2 victory over the San Francisco 49ers due to a minor right ankle injury that he picked up in the Week 1 win over the New York Giants. At the very least, Addison is likely heading for a questionable tag for Sunday's contest against the 2-0 Houston Texans if he's able to get in some form of practice on Friday. Justin Jefferson (quadriceps) is also on the Week 3 injury report but fully expects to play. If the 22-year-old Addison is limited or out this weekend, Jalen Nailor would once again have flex appeal for fantasy managers in what could be an offensive contest. The 25-year-old Nailor has been a popular waiver-wire pickup this week with both Addison and Jefferson banged up. He's scored twice already this year and caught three passes for 54 yards and a TD in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Sep 19 6:20pm ET
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (hip) was able to practice in full on Thursday after being limited to start the week on Wednesday. Unless Jones has a setback with his hip during Friday's practice, he should be ready to suit up for the Week 3 matchup against the 2-0 Houston Texans. Through his first two games in his first year in Minnesota, Jones has averaged a healthy 5.5 yards per carry on 23 rushing attempts, gaining 126 yards with one touchdown. He's added seven receptions for 51 yards through the air. The Vikings are going to continue to spell the 29-year-old with backup Ty Chandler, making him more of a touchdown-dependent RB2 for fantasy managers. Jones faces a tough matchup against Houston this week, too, with the Texans having allowed the third-fewest half-PPR fantasy points to opposing RBs in the first two weeks.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Sep 19 6:10pm ET
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) missed his second straight practice of the week on Thursday. Brown suffered a hamstring injury in practice last Friday and was held out of the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. It's an injury that Brown expects to keep him out for multiple games, so fantasy managers should have already been planning not to have the talented pass-catcher for this Sunday's showdown against the New Orleans Saints. Without Brown on Monday night, receiver DeVonta Smith led the Eagles with seven receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. Brittain Covey also benefitted with six receptions, but it amounted to only 23 yards. As long as Brown remains out, expect Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Saquon Barkley to be targeted more through the air by quarterback Jalen Hurts.

From RotoBaller

Justin Jefferson Sep 19 6:10pm ET
Justin Jefferson

When asked if he plans to play in Week 3 on Sunday against the Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (quadriceps) said, "Yeah, for sure." Jefferson said his quadriceps muscle feels "great" and he's working daily with the medical staff to make sure it feels "fantastic" by Sunday. The All-Pro wideout was listed as limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day. The 25-year-old bruised his right quad in the Week 2 win over the San Francisco 49ers but still managed to go for four catches (seven targets) for 133 yards and his second touchdown of the season. Jefferson has only seen 13 total targets from quarterback Sam Darnold through two weeks, but the efficiency has been amazing, and he'll remain a must-start, elite WR1 for fantasy managers as long as he's active this Sunday in what could be shootout against the Texans.

From RotoBaller

Brevin Jordan Sep 19 5:00pm ET
Brevin Jordan

Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan (knee) suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. The 24-year-old will now set his sights on a long recovery process to prepare him for the 2025 season. The former fifth-round selection set a career-high in yards last season with 219. However, Jordan caught just one pass in each of the first two games of the season and was deployed as the No.2 tight end behind Dalton Schultz. Fantasy managers should now expect Schultz to see the lion's share of opportunities at the tight end spot in Houston, while Cade Stover should move up to the No.2 spot and see an increase in work.

From RotoBaller

Mike Gesicki Sep 19 5:00pm ET
Mike Gesicki

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (calf) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status before his matchup against the Commanders on Monday evening. However, seeing him at practice is a promising sign that the injury is not severe. Last week, the Penn State product caught seven of his nine targets for 91 yards. In the season opener, Gesicki caught three of his four targets. The 28-year-old has emerged as a prominent pass-catcher in this offense while Tee Higgins (hamstring) remains sidelined. Even if Higgins makes his 2024 season debut on Monday, Gesicki should still be viewed as a high-end TE2, given his current role in the Cincinnati offense.

From RotoBaller

Tyjae Spears Sep 19 4:50pm ET
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday. The 23-year-old was held out of Wednesday's practice, so this is a promising sign he could suit up for Sunday's match against the Green Bay Packers. Spears reportedly suffered an ankle injury during Week 2's loss to the New York Jets but avoided a significant injury. Fantasy managers should monitor his practice status on Friday as it should provide clarity on his status entering the weekend. Spears has taken the backseat to Tony Pollard through the early part of the season, as he has carried the ball just ten times across both games and saw only six targets. Given his current role in the Tennessee offense, Spears should be viewed as a low-end flex if he can play on Sunday.

From RotoBaller