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FFL: Playoff Week 2 | NFL: Week 16

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 16

Player Notes
Mason Rudolph Dec 23 2:40pm ET
Mason Rudolph

According to Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan, he has not yet made a decision on his starting quarterback moving forward. Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com reported the news. Mason Rudolph got his fourth start of the year in Week 16 after taking over for a benched Will Levis the Sunday prior. Rudolph played relatively well, though he did toss three interceptions in their 38-30 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. "My goal is to put the QB on the field who gives us the best chance to win," said Callahan. With the head coach unwilling to dub the 29-year-old the team's starter moving forward, it leaves the door open for Levis to re-garner control of the offense with two weeks' worth of football left to play. Whoever is the starter in Week 17 will be primed for success in another exploitable divisional clash against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

From RotoBaller

Brenton Strange Dec 23 2:40pm ET
Brenton Strange

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange hauled in 2-of-4 targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 19-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. He also coughed up a costly fumble just before halftime. The second-year pro was quiet in Week 16's loss, totaling just four targets one week after he commanded a ludicrous 12. Strange led the team in receptions a week ago but was a distant third option to wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (9/132/1) and Parker Washington (6/54) on Sunday. It's a letdown for fantasy managers relying on him in the fantasy semi-finals. He was again deployed primarily in the short area of the field but could not replicate his performance from the week prior. The 23-year-old will get a stiffer test next Sunday against his division-rival Tennessee Titans. Tennessee has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2024 (10.1).

From RotoBaller

Tank Dell Dec 23 2:10pm ET
Tank Dell

Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) suffered a dislocated kneecap and torn ACL in Saturday's 27-19 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Oof. The second-year wideout was off to a ripping hot start in Week 16 with six receptions, 98 yards, and a touchdown before he got folded up on -- again sustaining a gruesome leg injury. Dell will now begin the long road to recovery. It's unfortunate news for the 25-year-old and the Houston Texans offense. With fellow wideout John Metchie III (shoulder) dealing with his own injury, Houston will deploy WRs Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson, and Jared Wayne at an elevated clip if Metchie can't suit up again in Week 17. Tight end Dalton Schultz should also pick up some more work with the offense down another pass-catcher.

From RotoBaller

Luke Musgrave Dec 23 1:10pm ET
Luke Musgrave

The Green Bay Packers are activating tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) from Injured Reserve on Monday, and he will play against the New Orleans Saints, according to a source. Musgrave underwent surgery on his ankle in October and hasn't played since Week 3, so the Packers will ease him back in. The 24-year-old caught 34 of his 46 targets for 352 yards and one touchdown in his first 11 NFL games (nine starts) in Green Bay last year. In four games before injuring his ankle this year, Musgrave was barely involved behind Tucker Kraft, catching five of seven targets for 22 yards. He probably won't be all the field that much on Monday night in his first game back after a long layoff, and Musgrave will be a low-upside deep sleeper in DFS formats for the final three games of the regular season and in the playoffs for the Packers.

From RotoBaller

Cedric Tillman Dec 23 1:00pm ET
Cedric Tillman

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that wide receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion), who has missed the last four games due to a concussion, is still making his way through the league's concussion protocol. The second-year wideout suffered a concussion in the Week 12 win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and hasn't played since. The 24-year-old had a productive three-game stretch from Weeks 7-9 in which he caught 21 of his 32 targets for 255 yards and three touchdowns with Jameis Winston at quarterback. He was becoming a weekly flex option for fantasy managers right before suffering a concussion. Now, with fantasy championship matchups in most leagues coming in Week 17, you can't trust Tillman in a lineup spot if he clears concussion protocol and is active against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday. It's especially true with Dorian Thompson-Robinson now at QB.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott Dec 23 12:40pm ET
Dak Prescott

After the Dallas Cowboys' win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in Week 17, owner Jerry Jones praised head coach Mike McCarthy but also declined to comment on his future after this season when asked. The praise for McCarthy is notable since his contract expires at the end of this season, and the Cowboys' late-season surge without quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) could buy the head coach more time with the organization. Dallas has won four of its last five games. "All I can say is what a good job, how good a job he's doing," Jones said. "Don't have thoughts that I would share as to anything about what we do ... after we're through playing this year." Already eliminated from postseason contention, Dallas has two division games remaining -- at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 and home versus the Washington Commanders in the Week 18 regular-season finale.

From RotoBaller

Garrett Wilson Dec 23 12:40pm ET
Garrett Wilson

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson voiced his frustration after being targeted just three times in the first 55 minutes of the game by quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. "I'd like to be involved, love to make an impact on the game, but people see it differently," Wilson said. "That's out of my control." Wilson praised passing-game coordinator Todd Downing for trying to get him the ball, so the pass-catcher could really be taking a shot at Rodgers. In the last five quarters, Wilson has only been targeted five times. In the same span, Rodgers' buddy, receiver Davante Adams, has been targeted 17 times. Even Allen Lazard (seven) saw more targets than Wilson. He finished with six catches for 54 yards on Sunday thanks to a late comeback attempt, but it wasn't enough to make Wilson happy. He's on the verge of his third 1,000-yard season, but there has been speculation that he could ask for a trade sooner than later.

From RotoBaller

Drew Lock Dec 23 12:20pm ET
Drew Lock

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (shoulder) is getting an MRI exam on his shoulder on Monday, according to head coach Brian Daboll. It means the Giants' QB situation is once again up in the air heading into their Week 17 contest against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Dec. 29. Even if Lock's shoulder ends up being OK, the Giants could make the move back to Tommy DeVito under center for the penultimate game of another lost season for the G-Men after Lock threw two more pick-sixes in a Week 16 blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The 28-year-old went 22-for-39 for 210 yards, one touchdown and the two interceptions while also fumbling. Lock just hasn't been good in limited duty for New York since the team parted ways with Daniel Jones, as he's completed just 52.7% of his passes for 624 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions in six games (three starts).

From RotoBaller

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Dec 23 12:20pm ET
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said on Monday that rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) aggravated a previous ankle injury he was dealing with in the Week 16 blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Tracy was questionable to play in Week 16 against Atlanta but suited up anyway and didn't do much on the ground, gaining only 26 rushing yards on seven carries. However, the 25-year-old rookie salvaged his day for fantasy managers by catching all four of his targets for 43 yards and the team's only touchdown of the game. It's unclear if Tracy's aggravation will keep him from playing in the Week 17 contest against the Indianapolis Colts in what is a great matchup, but fantasy managers will want to monitor his status closely this week. Backup Devin Singletary would at least be an intriguing RB3/flex option in fantasy if Tracy is ruled out.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Coker Dec 23 12:10pm ET
Jalen Coker

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker was a non-factor in the Week 16 victory against the Arizona Cardinals, registering two catches for eight yards. He was targeted five times, which tied for second on the team, but he finished sixth on the team in receiving. Carolina tied a season-best with 36 points and resurgent quarterback Bryce Young played his best game of the year, yet Coker wasn't really part of the action. For managers who advance to their fantasy Super Bowls, the rookie is a massive gamble with a great matchup in Week 17 against Tampa Bay.

From RotoBaller

Josh Allen Dec 23 12:10pm ET
Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (elbow) said after the Week 16 win over the division-rival New England Patriots on Sunday that his arm is fine after he suffered a right-elbow contusion in the second half. Allen said his elbow got hit, which caused him to lose feeling in his throwing arm. The loss of feeling in his arm contributed to a wobbly pass after he took the hit, and he was seen shaking his hand trying to get feeling back. "Just hit the funny bone nerve and went to throw the ball and just had no feeling in the hand," Allen said. He worked with trainers on the sideline to get heat applied to his arm and went back into the game for the next series. The 28-year-old is the front-runner for the MVP award in 2024 despite throwing for 154 yards, one touchdown and a pick in the win over the Pats. Look for Allen to bounce back as a high-end QB1 in Week 17 against the division-rival New York Jets at Orchard Park.

From RotoBaller

Raheem Mostert Dec 23 12:00pm ET
Raheem Mostert

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert carried the ball eight times for 31 yards and caught both of his targets for 15 yards in their 29-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The 32-year-old has started seeing more carries in the last several games, but fellow backfield mate De'Von Achane will continue to see most of the work. Ever since he fumbled against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9, Mostert seems to be in the doghouse with head coach Mike McDaniel. He has not seen 10 carries in a game since then. His next opportunity will come next Sunday at the Cleveland Browns in a game where the offense might need to lean on the running game in the cold weather.

From RotoBaller

Rome Odunze Dec 23 12:00pm ET
Rome Odunze

Wide receiver Rome Odunze of the Chicago Bears ended with a respectable 77 receiving yards on four catches in a 34-17 loss to Detroit on Sunday. The rookie was targeted seven times, which was third on the team, and was second only to receiver Keenan Allen in yards. Though this season has been a major dud for Chicago, Odunze has shown some late-season promise with a two-touchdown performance in Week 14 and his third-highest yardage total of the season on Sunday. The Bears will continue playing out the string with a Thursday matchup against Seattle in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Chad Ryland Dec 23 11:50am ET
Chad Ryland

Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland had an excellent game Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, converting all three field goal attempts and all three extra points in the 36-30 overtime defeat. The kicker was one of the few Cardinals who outperformed expectations, nailing field goals of 48, 30, and 58 yards, the last of the which sent the game to an extra period on the last play of regulation. The second-year man has done well with his chance in Arizona and could be a plausible streaming option with a plus matchup in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller

Trey McBride Dec 23 11:40am ET
Trey McBride

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride had his least productive receiving day of the season during a 36-30 overtime loss to Carolina on Sunday, finishing with just three catches for 20 yards. The tight end phenom was targeted only four times, which was fewer than journeyman running back Michael Carter and No. 2 receiver Michael Wilson, and the same as running back James Conner. McBride has been great this season, but Sunday was a brutal time for a dud in the fantasy playoffs. The Cards were officially knocked out of the playoffs with the loss, so managers who survived will hope for McBride to rebound in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller

Malik Washington Dec 23 11:40am ET
Malik Washington

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington caught three of four targets for 28 yards in the 29-17, Week 16 win over the San Francisco 49ers. With Jaylen Waddle (knee) sidelined for this game, the rookie could not take advantage of more snaps. The Miami passing attack struggled somewhat and leaned more on the ground game. Waddle could miss more than just this game, making his status something to be monitored throughout this week. Washington will look to bounce back next Sunday when he and Miami hit the road to take on the Cleveland Browns in a game that will possibly be in freezing temperatures.

From RotoBaller

Michael Wilson Dec 23 11:40am ET
Michael Wilson

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson finished with two catches on five targets for 44 yards in a 36-30 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. It was an all-around poor day for Arizona's passing game, as tight end Trey McBride had his worst receiving day of the year and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. failed to hit 50 receiving yards for the third straight game. The loss officially bounced Arizona from playoff contention, so the Cardinals are down to playing spoiler next week against the Los Angeles Rams. Wilson will be a highly risky bet for standard-format managers in fantasy Super Bowls.

From RotoBaller

DeeJay Dallas Dec 23 11:30am ET
DeeJay Dallas

Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas turned his only involvement of the game Sunday against Carolina into a one-yard touchdown catch. The 26-year-old had no carries and only one target, but made it count for his first touchdown of the season. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, it wasn't enough in a 36-30 overtime loss that knocked them out of playoff contention. Starting running back James Conner (knee) departed the game, Trey Benson (ankle) was out, and Emari Demercado (back) is on injured reserve, leaving a possible opening in the Arizona backfield. Based on Sunday's game, however, it would appear as if journeyman Michael Carter would be the preferred streaming option over Dallas.

From RotoBaller

Jason Sanders Dec 23 11:30am ET
Jason Sanders

Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders made 5-of-5 field goal attempts and 2-of-2 extra points in their 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. His longest came from 54 yards out. Sanders continued to stay hot and has now made his last 23 field goal attempts. As the Dolphins offense has looked more formidable, he continues to get more opportunities than almost anyone in the league, and his conversion rate has been phenomenal. The 29-year-old is now the sixth-ranked kicker overall in fantasy football and should be a weekly start for anyone still in the playoffs. He will have a challenging task traveling to take on the Cleveland Browns in likely freezing conditions in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Dec 23 11:30am ET
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. finished with a forgettable Week 16 against Carolina, catching four passes for 39 yards on eight targets. The rookie has had a rough stretch after the Cards' bye, finishing outside the top 40 at his position four times in the past five weeks, which has been disappointing given his early-season draft hype. Sunday's 36-30 overtime loss knocked Arizona out of playoff contention, leaving the team to play out the string during the final two weeks. Harrison will be a risky play for managers in fantasy Super Bowls during a Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller