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.
The Baltimore Ravens have signed free-agent quarterback Tyler Huntley on Friday. This news comes a day after Huntley was let go by the Cleveland Browns. Huntley spent the first four years of his career in Baltimore before joining the Browns this offseason. The 26-year-old has proven himself to be a reliable backup to Lamar Jackson over the last few seasons. He has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 20 games (nine starts) with the Ravens since 2020. There won't be much fantasy value here, but the Ravens will get a familiar face that knows the system well in case of an emergency.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker has signed a long term extension with the organization on Friday. The two sides have agreed on a four-year extension worth $22 million, which includes $12.5 million in guaranteed money. This makes Dicker one of the highest paid kickers in the league. To be fair, Dicker has been one of the most reliable kickers over the last two seasons. He connected on 31-of-33 field goal attempts last season while hitting all his extra point attempts. There's not many kickers that are more accurate in the game right now than Dicker.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back Samaje Perine will both be available in the season opener on Thursday evening against the Baltimore Ravens, according to Pete Sweeney of the Arrowhead Pride. Head coach Andy Reid noted that the team would be cautious about overloading Perine during the opener. Both Smith-Schuster and Perine signed with Kansas City earlier this week after hitting free agency. Smith-Schuster played in Kansas City in 2022 and totaled 933 yards on 78 catches that season but struggled in New England last fall. Perine posted a career-high 50 receptions and 455 receiving yards last season in Denver. Perine should be expected to serve as the third-down back throughout the season, while Smith-Schuster will serve as a depth option in the wide receiver room.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine received praise from his new head coach on Friday afternoon about his potential as a third-down back. According to Adam Teicher of ESPN, Reid expressed, "He's been a phenomenal third down back. The opportunity to have a guy in here that can do the run game and the pass game . . . That is a great addition." The 28-year-old running back signed with Kansas City earlier this week after being released by the Denver Broncos. Last season in Denver, Perine saw a career-high 50 receptions and 455 receiving yards, with an added 238 on the ground. With these recent comments, fantasy managers should expect Perine to serve in a similar role with the Chiefs, primarily entering the game in passing situations. However, Isiah Pacheco will still likely see the vast majority of backfield touches this upcoming season.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy may not be given a full workload early in his rookie season. According to Adam Teicher of ESPN, head coach Andy Reid expressed some concern about relying on the rookie early in the season. However, Reid did add that, "We'll just see how it goes when things are flying here fast and furious." Worthy has been making some noise in the preseason as he saw five targets from Patrick Mahomes in their preseason match against the Detroit Lions. In addition, he also found the end zone later in that game and finished with 63 total yards. Worthy was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft earlier this spring and is known for his elite speed as he set a new record in the 40-yard dash. Fantasy managers should feel confident stashing Worthy on their bench as he could emerge as a viable starter down the stretch, given his record-breaking speed.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (undisclosed) returned to practice on Friday, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. This is the first time the 28-year-old has returned to the practice field since being involved in a car accident on August 14. Andrews, fortunately, did not suffer any injuries during the accident, and it is a great sign to see him back on the field, as it looks like his prolonged absence was just precautionary. Last season, the tight end appeared in only ten games as he suffered a lower-leg injury in Week 11, which ended his regular season. He caught 45 passes for 544 yards and six scores. Andrews remains one of the top tight ends in fantasy and should serve as Lamar Jackson's primary target once again in 2024.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (foot, toe) missed a large chunk of training camp and the preseason due to injuries, but he returned to practice this week and says he's ready for the start of the 2024 regular season. "It felt really, really good today. I feel like I didn't lose a step. I stayed on top of everything that I needed to throughout the rehab process, so I would be able to be fast and play free and be on the same page with our quarterbacks," Shaheed said. With a new offensive scheme in place under coordinator Klint Kubiak, Shaheed missed valuable time getting reps on the field, but he said he's not worried and already feels that he has a good physical rhythm in the offense. The 25-year-old could have an expanded role in what the Saints are hoping is an improved offense in 2024, but for Week 1 against the Panthers, Shaheed should be considered more of a boom/bust WR5/flex in fantasy lineups.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said in his opening news conference on Friday that he doesn't expect wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) to play in next Thursday's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens due to a sternoclavicular dislocation that he suffered in the preseason opener on Aug. 10. This has pretty much been the expectation since Brown suffered the injury, especially since he hasn't been able to return to practice yet. The 27-year-old was given a four- to six-week timetable initially. Brown will most likely officially be ruled out for Week 1 next Wednesday, but there's a chance he could be available for Week 2 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. The injury has obviously dropped Brown down fantasy draft boards, but he's still worth taking as a potential great value as a WR4/flex. Rookie Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice will see an early-season boost for however long Brown is out.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that running back Rico Dowdle will get fewer special teams spans this year because he's expected to be a bigger part of the offense with an expanded workload. Dowdle is expected to open the 2024 season as the co-starter with veteran Ezekiel Elliott, but the recent signing of Dalvin Cook could put a damper on Dowdle's fantasy value this year. The 26-year-old former South Carolina product had just seven carries for Dallas in his first two years in the league, but his role expanded considerably in 2023, as he had 89 rushing attempts for 361 yards and two touchdowns and added 17 receptions for 144 yards and two more scores in 16 regular-season games. Dowdle almost certainly isn't going to take over this backfield single-handedly, which probably caps his fantasy value as a RB4/flex, at best.
From RotoBaller
The Miami Dolphins signed head coach Mike McDaniel to a contract extension on Friday that will take him through the 2028 season, according to sources. The Dolphins had the top-ranked offense in the league last year under McDaniel for the first time since 1994, and they also had their first back-to-back playoff appearances in 23 years. McDaniel has an especially strong working relationship with general manager Chris Grier, CEO Tom Garfinkel and salary cap guru Brandon Shore. The next step for McDaniel and the organization will be to win in the postseason. Miami has not won a playoff game since 1999 and have lost two AFC wild-card games under McDaniel. The head coach has had a noticeable impact on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's development after leading the NFL in passing yards in 2023. Tagovailoa also signed a four-year extension this offseason, so he and McDaniel are in it together.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton is heading into a big season as the number-one receiver on the new-look Broncos offense. He's undoubtedly the leader of the receiving corps after the team opted to go younger by trading away Jerry Jeudy and letting Tim Patrick walk. The coaching staff has noticed improvements that he's made over the offseason and he'll look to help boost up rookie quarterback Bo Nix with consistent performances. Last year, in a volatile offense, the six-year pro posted 772 yards and 10 touchdowns while catching 59 of his 90 targets. The last time Sutton was the clear number-one was in 2019 when he caught passes from Joe Flacco and Drew Lock, he finished with 124 targets, 72 receptions, 1112 yards, and six scores.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin showed some lackluster highlights in the first preseason games of his NFL career. After the team let Tim Patrick walk, it was a sign that they still had some confidence in the rookie's progress. According to head coach Sean Payton, the coaching staff is pleased with where Franklin currently sits with his progress and he'll get the chance to keep growing with this new-look offense. When it comes to the depth chart, he's still slotted behind Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, and Marvin Mims Jr., so he may not see too many snaps to start out the season. Right now, his fantasy relevance is higher when it comes to dynasty formats.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Chargers re-signed free-agent S Tony Jefferson to the practice squad on Thursday, Aug. 29.
From TheHuddle
The Washington Commanders signed free-agent DL Sheldon Day (Vikings) to the practice squad on Thursday, Aug. 29.
From TheHuddle
According to Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell, the surprising decision to waive running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu on Tuesday was mostly about their belief in Myles Gaskin. Gaskin is currently on the practice squad, but he's likely to be elevated to the game-day roster in Week 1 to serve as the team's No. 3 RB and kick returner. He'll be behind starter Aaron Jones and backup Ty Chandler on the RB depth chart. The 27-year-old has returned only eight kicks between his college and NFL career, but the Vikes liked what they have seen in training camp. In the end, Gaskin proved more versatile on special teams and as a pass-protector in the backfield than Nwangwu. Gaskin, a former seventh-round pick 2019 by the Miami Dolphins, won't have any fantasy value unless one of Jones or Chandler miss time with injury in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Patriots have named Jacoby Brissett their starting quarterback. Dynasty Analysis: Brissett was outplayed throughout training camp and the preseason by rookie Drake Maye but the Patriots are clearly playing it safe here. With an offensive line that's, well, offensive, and a receiving corps that's paper thin, this may not be the best situation to throw a rookie into. Maye will still likely make some starts this season but New England is going the safe route here. Brissett will be a low-end QB2 to start the year and likely waiver wire fodder at some point in the season.
Dynasty | The 49ers have signed wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to a contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: Well, that was painful, Aiyuk's contract status has been the source of more ups and downs than a roller coaster at Knott's Berry Farm but he ends up staying with San Francisco and gets a four-year, $120 million contract extension that will keep him under team control through 2028. It's another massive deal for the 49ers, who now have a whopping eight players making more than $15 per season and one quarterback who is going to be in need for his own extension in a couple of years. Aiyuk should provide low-end WR1 or high-end WR2 as he attempts to build on his 75/1,342/7 breakout last season.
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk would have been dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers had San Francisco's trade offer for Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton been accepted. The 49ers offered the Broncos a third-round pick for Sutton before agreeing to an extension with Aiyuk.
From TheHuddle
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson has an excellent chance to open the season as the team's second-string running back behind Josh Jacobs. Per their depth chart, Wilson is listed as the Packers' third-string back. However, with rookie MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) missing time, the door is open for Wilson to take on a more significant role. Green Bay is scheduled to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in their regular season opener next Friday night. Unless there is an update on the rookie's status, Wilson will open the season as the second to receive carries out of the backfield. Though the second-year undrafted free agent hasn't received much workload thus far in his NFL career, he has run well when given the chance. Fantasy managers should keep him on their radar for now, as although he may not garner much standalone value, he would be an asset to roster if he were Jacobs' handcuff.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Johnny Wilson (concussion) was held out of practice again on Thursday and remains in the league's concussion protocol. Wilson suffered the concussion on Aug. 13 during joint practices with the New England Patriots and has yet to be allowed to return to practice. It is still being determined whether or not he will be cleared ahead of the Eagles home opener against the Green Bay Packers next Friday night. He's currently the fourth wideout on the team's depth chart behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and newly acquired Jahan Dotson. The sixth-round rookie never recorded more than 43 receptions or 897 yards during any of his collegiate seasons, nor does he project to get much playing time this season in a deep Philadelphia wide receiver corps. However, at 6-foot-7, Wilson would pose as a formidable red zone threat if he ever cracked the lineup.
From RotoBaller