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.
RTSports Super Bowl Preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hiring longtime college football coach Charlie Strong to serve as the defensive line coach ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Strong began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in 1983 with the University of Florida and has held several jobs for nearly a dozen college football programs. He was the head coach of Louisville while Teddy Bridgewater played quarterback for the Cardinals and spent three seasons at Texas and three seasons at South Florida as a head coach. The 64-year-old has just one season of NFL coaching experience with the Jaguars as a linebackers coach in 2021. However, Strong has a wealth of defensive knowledge and could be an impactful addition to Todd Bowles' staff.
From RotoBaller
Despite underwhelming in 2024 after throwing for a single-season franchise record of 4,280 passing yards in 2023, The Athletic's Dianna Russini thinks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy could make up to $55-$60 million on his next deal. Purdy is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2025 and is set to become the highest-paid player in franchise history. In a worst-case scenario if the Niners don't sign Purdy to an extension this offseason, they could franchise tag him so that he doesn't reach the open market next year. "Let's make it clear though, I don't think Brock Purdy's sitting there going, 'I'm demanding I want to be the highest-paid quarterback,'" Russini said. Purdy finished with 3,864 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games, but he wasn't helped by season-ending injuries to Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk. He could rebound in 2025 as a QB1 for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Nick Kosmider writes that it's probably a no-brainer decision for the Denver Broncos to bring back veteran kicker Wil Lutz in 2025 despite the fact that he has no guaranteed money left on his current deal. If the Broncos wanted to, they could cut Lutz this offseason for a savings of at least $3 million with limited dead money left behind. Lutz is scheduled to make $3.89 million in 2025, but after being one of the most accurate and trustworthy kickers in the NFL this past season, it would be a surprise if the Broncos cut him. Not only does head coach Sean Payton have plenty of trust and history with Lutz, but Lutz also kicked for the New Orleans Saints under Darren Rizzi, who is likely to become Denver's next special teams coordinator. The 30-year-old finished as the No. 7 kicker in overall fantasy points by making 31 of his 34 field goal-attempts and all 46 of his extra points in 17 regular-season games.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Dianna Russini said on the Dan Le Batard Show that the situation with All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns could "get really messy" this offseason. "I had somebody in the league share with me yesterday that they just think this could get really messy. This is about winning for Myles Garrett. This is about him wanting to go be part of an organization that is built toward winning," Russini said. Garrett made public his desire to be traded on Monday. The Browns are holding firm on their stance that they have no intentions of trading the star pass-rusher and are likely prepared to overpay to keep him in Cleveland. However, this isn't about money for Garrett, but rather playing for an organization that has a realistic shot at winning a Super Bowl. If the Browns eventually give in and trade the 29-year-old, they could easily get multiple first-round picks for him. Stay tuned this offseason.
From RotoBaller
Although Denver Broncos general manager George Paton said the team hasn't had conversations yet, The Athletic's Nick Kosmider thinks it will be a pressing question this offseason as to whether the team will agree to a lucrative contract extension with pass-rusher Nik Bonitto. The former second-rounder in 2022 is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2025 after he finished third in the NFL with 13.5 sacks to earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Denver just signed pass-rusher Jonathan Cooper to a four-year extension worth up to $60 million last November. The Broncos could wait until just before training camp this summer to sign Bonitto to an extension, but the franchise tag is another option to keep him from reaching free agency next offseason. If an extension gets done with the 25-year-old, it could be the most lucrative contract in franchise history.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee), who is on Injured Reserve, is doing well, which is "a good sign for next year." Rice will not play in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9, against the Philadelphia Eagles after he had surgery to fix the LCL in his right knee way back in October of last year. The 24-year-old also suffered a tear of his hamstring in 2024, but the good news is that barring any setbacks this offseason, he should be fully ready for the start of the 2025 season this fall. And when fully healthy, Rice should return to being quarterback Patrick Mahomes' No. 1 target in the passing game. Before suffering his season-ending injury, the former third-rounder had 24 catches on 29 targets for 288 yards and two touchdowns. The only thing standing in the way of his fantasy value for next season is a potential suspension for an off-the-field incident last March.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton made it clear last offseason that he was unhappy with the structure of his contract, which at the time had two years left with little guaranteed money. Sutton and the Broncos eventually revised his contract to add $1.7 million in incentives for 2024, ultimately reaching most of them after posting his second 1,000-yard campaign with a career-high 81 catches and eight touchdowns. The 29-year-old is now entering the final year of his contract and has no guaranteed money remaining. He's due $14 million in 2025, which would make him the 24th highest-paid receiver in the NFL. However, he's solid 2024 season suggests he deserves more after ranking 17th among wideouts in catches, 13th in receiving yards (1,081) and tied for 12th in TDs. The Athletic's Nick Kosmider writes it's probably safe to assume Sutton doesn't intend to play 2025 as his contract is currently structured.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Rams are reportedly planning on trading wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Dynasty Analysis: Kupp wants to stay, but the Rams are ready to move on. Kupp struggled with injuries again last year en route to 67 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns, ceding WR1 duties to Puka Nacua in the process. Now 31, those nagging injuries may have caught up to him. Now three years removed from his last 1,000 yard season (a 1,947 yard monster in 2021), Kupp will look to join a contender with the Ravens, Commanders and Chiefs all being mentioned already. We'll see where he lands, but Kupp's days as a true WR1 are likely over.
Dynasty | Soon-to-be free agent quarterback Sam Darnold has been linked to the Raiders. Dynasty Analysis: This isn't the first time we've seen Darnold's name floated as a possibility for Las Vegas and likely won't be the last. It makes a lot of sense after the Raiders failed to hit on either Gardner Minshew or Aidan O'Connell last year and are in dire need of a new signal caller. In addition, they are likely out of range when it comes to drafting a franchise quarterback as their pick currently sits at #6 overall. Darnold is looking to cash in for the first time in his career after a spectacular season in Minnesota. While not a truly elite player in fantasy or reality, Darnold really did prove to be a capable starter and would be a huge upgrade in Las Vegas. Regardless, Darnold looks like a player who should be a starter and a fringe QB1 next season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have requested to interview James Gladstone for their vacant general manager position. Gladstone is currently the director of scouting with the Los Angeles Rams. He has been with the team for nearly a decade and has been the director of scouting for a handful of years with the Rams. The Jags recently moved on from former GM Trent Baalke, so this search could take some time. They've already hired their new head coach in Liam Coen. The Jags are also reportedly interested in interviewing Josh Williams who is the director of football operations with the San Francisco 49ers. That being said, this could come down to a two-horse race after Buccaneers assistant GM Mike Greenberg pulled his name from consideration. Both Gladstone and Williams have plenty of experience and appear to be solid candidates.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III made a good enough impression in his NFL debut in the Week 18 victory against the Buffalo Bills backups that he could become a trade chip this offseason. "I thought the Patriots would hold off on entertaining a trade of Joe Milton, who was drafted in the sixth round (193rd overall) last year, for at least another season, but there's increasing belief around the NFL that the Patriots are at least contemplating a trade of Milton this offseason," Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard wrote. This year's QB draft class is considered weak, and the Pats could fetch up to a third-round pick for Milton this year if QB-needy teams don't feel like taking their chances on QB prospects like Riley Leonard, Dillon Gabriel or Jaxson Dart. If New England doesn't shop Milton before the draft in April, they could revisit and look to trade him this summer.
From RotoBaller
The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley to a Reserve/Futures deal. Tinsley will not count on the team's active list until after the Super Bowl on Monday, Feb. 10. The 25-year-old went undrafted out of college in 2023 but eventually latched on with the Washington Commanders. He was active for two games with the Commanders in 2023 but wasn't targeted at all. Tinsley spent all of the 2024 campaign on the team's practice squad. He will now head to the AFC and continue his development with the Bengals all offseason up through training camp. If Tinsley sticks around beyond camp, he'll likely open the regular season this fall on Cincy's practice squad. Tinsley played collegiately at Hutchinson Community College, Western Kentucky and Penn State.
From RotoBaller
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Los Angeles Rams are willing to eat some of veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp's $7.5 million signing bonus for the 2025 season to facilitate a trade this offseason. It's no secret that the Rams were shopping Kupp at last year's trade deadline. Although they ended up keeping him around, Kupp went public on Monday that the Rams want to trade him this offseason. At this point, it would be a surprise if the 31-year-old was in L.A. next season. The former third-rounder in 2017 out of Eastern Washington had the receiving Triple Crown in 2021 but hasn't played more than 12 games in a season since due to injuries and is on the wrong side of 30. Kupp could still be productive in a new uniform in 2025, depending on where he ends up, but for fantasy purposes, managers need to weigh his injury risk heavily when considering him in drafts this fall.
From RotoBaller
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, linebacker Ernest Jones IV and the Seahawks have mutual interest in a reunion. The 25-year-old was traded to Seattle during the 2024 season. He opened the campaign with Tennessee and tallied 44 tackles before moving to the northwest. Over his 10 games with Seattle, Jones totaled 94 tackles (48 solo) with 46 assists. He added 0.5 sacks, with two deflections and one interception. He played the first three seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Rams. During the 2023 season, the former third-round pick tallied a career-high 145 tackles (74 solo) with 4.5 sacks and six pass deflections. If he does return to Seattle, fantasy managers should continue to expect Jones to have a starting role in their defense.
From RotoBaller
According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the New York Giants may view defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches as a cap casualty during the offseason. Nunez-Roches inked a three-year, $12 million deal with the Giants before the 2023 season but has not performed up to his contract. Duggan noted that the 31-year-old was "overexposed after being elevated to the No. 2 defensive tackle spot next to Dexter Lawrence this season." In 2024, Nunez-Roches tallied 52 tackles (14 solo) with 38 assists. He added two sacks, which tied a previous career-high he set during the 2022 season. If the team were to part ways with Nunez-Roches before the 2025 season, Elijah Chatman could have an increased role next season, as he was typically deployed as a rotational piece on the defensive line in 2024.
From RotoBaller
According to Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald, the Miami Dolphins have shown interest in drafting a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft. Kelly noted that the team had had discussions with Alabama's Jalen Milroe and Oregon's Dillon Gabriel at the Senior Bowl about potentially being the team's backup quarterback behind Tua Tagovailoa. Kelly noted that Ole Miss' Jaxon Dart did not say if the Dolphins contacted him. While Tagovailoa is still viewed as the franchise quarterback, he has missed time throughout his career and his injuries impacted Miami's playoff push in 2024. This season, Tagovailoa suffered another concussion during Week 2 and missed the following four games. Then, later in the season, he suffered a hip injury, which kept him sidelined during the final two games. However, he was effective when he was on the field, averaging 260.6 yards per game with 19 TDs. Fantasy managers in dynasty formats should continue to monitor this situation, as the Dolphins may be willing to spend a Day 2 pick on a quarterback to sit behind Tagovailoa.
From RotoBaller
According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden could be given a contract extension during the offseason. The 2022 fifth-round pick out of Indiana has been a productive player in the New York defense over the past two seasons. Duggan noted that general manager Joe Schoen may "try to get ahead of the curve" and extend the linebacker before his rookie contract expires. After tallying just 59 tackles during his rookie season, McFadden has logged at least 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons. This season, the 25-year-old tallied a career-best 107 tackles (60 solo) with 47 assists, one deflection, and three sacks. He also forced a fumble. He missed the final two games of the season due to a neck injury but was still able to enjoy an impressive season. Fantasy managers should expect McFadden to remain a key contributor to the New York defense in 2025.
From RotoBaller
According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the New York Giants are expected to pick up the fifth-year option on linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux. Duggan noted that while Thibodeaux has shown flashes of elite upside, he has not made the impact the team had hoped, given that he was selected with the fifth-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. As a result, Duggan expects the team to pick up his option instead of discussing a long-term contract. After tallying just four sacks with 48 tackles in his rookie season, Thibodeaux enjoyed a massive sophomore season where he tallied 11.5 sacks. In that season, he totaled 50 tackles and three forced fumbles. However, in 2024, Thibodeaux took a step back as he logged just 5.5 sacks with 28 tackles. Fantasy managers should expect Thibodeaux to have a starting role in the New York defense next season.
From RotoBaller
According to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (shoulder) dealt with a shoulder injury during the back half of the 2024 season, which hindered his play. Cousins said that he suffered this injury following their Week 10 contest against the New Orleans Saints. The veteran said he "Got hit pretty good in my right shoulder and elbow, and from there, it was kind of something I was working through." Then, over the final three weeks, the team opted to bench Cousins in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Before this injury, Cousins performed quite well, averaging 263.4 passing yards per game with a 17:8 TD:INT ratio. However, over his final four contests, the 36-year-old averaged just 218.5 passing yards per game and threw just one score with eight interceptions. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the offseason as the team may look to find a trade partner, as Penix is viewed as their franchise option.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins (shoulder) recently told Good Morning Football: Overtime that he 'got hit pretty good' in his right shoulder and elbow in Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints and 'never could get it really to where I wanted it.'
Fantasy Spin: For what it is worth, Cousins was pleased with how his Achilles healed. The box scores back up what Cousins is saying, as he entered Week 10 with a 17:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Over his final five starts (beginning with the loss in New Orleans), it was 1:9. Cousins will almost certainly not be on the roster next season, but the combination of knocking off the rust from his Achilles rehab combined with the ill-timed shoulder/elbow injury may have been the root cause of his disappointing season in Atlanta. Fantasy managers should not be surprised if Cousins rebounds a bit with a new team in 2025.
From TheHuddle