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 Invitational Live Stream
Dynasty | Broncos quarterback Bo Nix compoleted 8-of-9 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in Denver's preseason game against the Packers. Dynasty Analysis: Simply put, Nix has done nothing to make Sean Payton think of starting anyone else week one. This was the latest positive sign as he looked poised in the pocket and again took care of the football. Nix looks like a player with five years of college experience and ready to take on his new challenge. At this point, he's looked competent enough to keep the fantasy values of Courtland Sutton, Javonte Williams, and others afloat, though there will clearly be some bumps in the road. He remains a second round rookie pick in conventional drafts and creeping higher in 2QB leagues as we await official confirmation of him starting.
Dynasty | The Washington Commanders have named Jayden Daniels their starting quarterback. Dynasty Analysis: No real surprise here as Daniels really wasn't challenged much by now journeyman Marcus Mariota in camp. He's been impressive in limited action and in training camp, so Washington clearly sees no reason to keep him on the bench. Daniels remains a top-2 pick in Superflex formats but also remains one of the bigger boom or bust players at the position we've seen in some time.
Dynasty | The Falcons are sitting quarterback Michael Penix Jr for the final preseason game. Dynasty Analysis: This seems unusual considering Kirk Cousins is the clear starter. However, the Falcons brass is simply saying they've seen enough of Penix to know what they have and don't want to risk injury. While camp reports have been glowing, we still haven't seen enough of him to really determine how good he may be and likely won't barring a catastrophe regarding Cousins. Penix remains a high upside player who dynasty managers will need to be very patient with.
Miami Dolphins WR Odell Beckham Jr. (undisclosed) is not expected to practice this week, according to head coach Mike McDaniel.
From TheHuddle
The Buffalo Bills announced that quarterback Josh Allen, along with the team's other starters, will not play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. Head coach Sean McDermott originally planned to play his starters, but after the team saw multiple players suffer injuries over the weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they are not taking any chances. Backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (knee), wide receivers Curtis Samuel (toe) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (neck), and tight end Quintin Morris (shoulder) are all expected to miss multiple weeks.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars QB C.J. Beathard (groin) will not play in the final preseason game because of a groin injury, according to head coach Doug Pederson.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (hamstring) was limited to individual drills during practice Monday, Aug. 19.
Fantasy Spin: Stafford likely will be eased back into practice so the team can make sure he is ready for Week 1. He has one of the better receiver duos to work with in the NFL but may only be a No. 2 quarterback in most leagues.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (neck) and TE Quintin Morris (shoulder) are expected to miss several weeks because of injuries.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (undisclosed) did not practice on Monday, but head coach John Harbaugh said, "Don't worry about Mark; he's going to be fine." The 28-year-old was involved in a car crash last week, but he reportedly did not suffer any injuries. It's unclear why Andrews is currently out of action, but it doesn't sound as if he's at risk of missing any meaningful time. Andrews missed seven games last season after suffering a cracked fibula and an ankle ligament injury, but he returned for the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He should be ready to go when the season begins, and even though rising wideout Zay Flowers presents solid target competition, Andrews could still be Lamar Jackson's top target in the passing game. He's priced around the TE5 spot in preseason drafts and has overall TE1 upside.
From RotoBaller
The Miami Dolphins released running back Salvon Ahmed on Monday, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. Ahmed went undrafted out of Washington in 2020 and spent four years with Miami following a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers. In 38 career games, he rushed 163 times for 593 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 40 receptions for 274 yards and one score. With the Dolphins adding rookie Jaylen Wright to an already-crowded running back room featuring Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane, the writing was on the wall for the end of Ahmed's tenure in Miami. Given the injury rate at the running back position, it wouldn't be surprising if he's on an active roster for another team before the 2024 NFL season wraps up.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent RB Anthony McFarland (Steelers), FB Zander Horvath (Saints), WR Jadon Janke (Texans) and LB Dequan Jackson (Jaguars) signed with the Miami Dolphins Monday, Aug. 19. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. The team also released RB Salvon Ahmed, waived/injured LB Zeke Vandenburgh (undisclosed) and placed WR Willie Snead (undisclosed) and OG Sean Harlow (undisclosed) on the Reserve/Injured list.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (undisclosed) has not practiced with the team this offseason due to an undisclosed injury, and head coach Mike McDaniel said he will remain out of action this week. The veteran and former Super Bowl Champion is missing valuable preseason repetitions with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but the organization might be holding him out as a precaution given his lengthy injury history. If Beckham is ready to go for Week 1, he's an interesting late-round best-ball option, but it would be a surprise if he's a weekly contributor in traditional fantasy football lineups. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have a tight grip on the No. 1 and No. 2 wide receiver roles, and rookie Malik Washington could make an impact right away. Beckham has not posted more than 600 receiving yards in a season since 2019, so he can be ignored in most formats.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (knee) was knocked out of the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a knee injury, and head coach Sean McDermott said he will miss a few weeks of action. The Bills are also labeling wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling (neck) and Curtis Samuel (toe) as week-to-week. With Trubisky sidelined, third-string quarterback Ben DiNucci is likely to play most of the Week 3 preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Trubisky can continue to be rostered in deep Superflex formats, but obviously, he doesn't have any value as long as Josh Allen stays healthy.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent CB Chris Wilcox (Chargers), CB Quandre Mosely (Buccaneers), CB Willie Drew (Panthers), WR Sam Pinckney (Panthers) and RB Jaden Shirden (Panthers) signed with the Carolina Panthers Monday, Aug. 19. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. The team also placed QB Jake Luton (undisclosed) and CB Anthony Brown (thumb) on the Reserve/Injured list and waived/injured CB Lamar X. Jackson (undisclosed), WR Tayvion Robinson (undisclosed) and RB Dillon Johnson (undisclosed).
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (toe) is considered week-to-week as he deals with turf toe, according to head coach Sean McDermott. This is unfortunate for Samuel and the team, especially since Marquez Valdes-Scantling is also week-to-week with a neck injury. It's never a good sign for a player to pick up preseason injuries, but at least Samuel's injury is manageable, and he could still play in Week 1. Given all the new faces in Buffalo and injuries already starting to pile up, it could take time for the passing game led by Josh Allen to get going in 2024. Still, Samuel remains an intriguing late-round sleeper in fantasy football, while teammates Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir could benefit from his absence this preseason.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk (calf) will be held out of practice this week, according to sources Monday, Aug. 19.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills QB Mitchell Trubisky (knee) is expected to miss multiple weeks, according to sources Monday, Aug. 19.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills WR Curtis Samuel (toe) is considered week-to-week with turf toe, according to sources Monday, Aug. 19.
Fantasy Spin: Samuel figured to have a prominent role in the offense so this brings a bit more risk to his profile as a late-round sleeper. This should give a nice bump to Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir and rookie Keon Coleman.
From TheHuddle
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase returned to training camp practice on Monday. Due to an ongoing contract dispute with the team, Chase has been present at camp but hasn't been participating in on-field workouts. The 24-year-old star pass-catcher also hasn't seen any preseason action during his hold-in. It remains to be seen if the two sides can work out a long-term contract extension before Week 1 rolls around, but even if they don't, Chase profiles as an elite top-five fantasy wideout with quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) back to full health after a season-ending wrist injury in 2023. The former fifth overall pick in 2021 out of LSU has all kinds of chemistry with Burrow, dating back to their college days, and has been a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons in the NFL, racking up 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns on 268 receptions.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) did some stationary throwing on Saturday before the team's preseason contest against the Los Angeles Rams without really pushing off on his right foot. Herbert shed his walking boot right at the two-week mark last Thursday as he recovers from plantar fasciitis in his foot. The Chargers haven't been too worried that the 26-year-old won't be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, but he is missing a bunch of valuable reps with the rest of the starting offense in training camp and the preseason. Herbert could be dealing with pain in his foot early on in 2024, but he's likely to play through it. His fantasy stock was already trending down this offseason after losing all three of his favorite targets from last year in Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler. Herbert should now be considered more of a QB2.
From RotoBaller