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 Kansas City Chiefs are cutting running back Deneric Prince on Tuesday. Despite incumbent veteran Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) missing the majority of training camp due to post-traumatic stress disorder, Prince didn't do enough in camp and the preseason to earn a spot on KC's final 53-man roster. Prince appeared to be making a strong push for a roster spot at first, working ahead of CEH in team drills early in camp, but he struggled with consistency as a rusher in the preseason outside of a 41-yard run in the second exhibition game and also had made a mistake on special teams in the exhibition opener, which cost the Chiefs a safety on a kickoff. Fullback Carson Steele looks set to make the roster as backfield depth with this move, offering the team some value as a runner and in pass protection.
From RotoBaller
The Houston Texans are releasing wide receiver Noah Brown on Tuesday. It comes as a bit of a surprise, given Brown put up 17.2 yards per catch over 33 receptions (55 targets) for the Texans last year, but the addition of Pro Bowl wideout Stefon Diggs this offseason made him much more expendable. Houston's three-receiver sets will now be concentrated around Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell to still give quarterback C.J. Stroud one of the league's top supporting casts. The 28-year-old Brown shouldn't have much of an issue finding work as a viable deep threat elsewhere in the NFL, and it likely won't be long until he lands back on his feet with another team.
From RotoBaller
The Kansas City Chiefs are waiving wide receiver Kadarius Toney on Tuesday, but he'll have a market elsewhere. The Chiefs had been looking for a trade partner for Toney, but he'll now head to waivers after they found no suitors. Toney missed the exhibition opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a back injury, and his first snap against the Detroit Lions the following week was disastrous, as he committed two penalties. The former first-round pick reeled in a 20-yard pass in Thursday's preseason finale against the Chicago Bears as a last-ditch effort to stick around, but he just wasn't been able to put it together all throughout his rocky tenure in KC. Toney still has the talent to carve out some type of role as a playmaker or gadget player elsewhere, but his path back to fantasy relevance consists of many hurdles.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Green Bay Packers have released wide receiver Samori Toure. Dynasty Analysis: Toure was one of the odd men out on a loaded Green Bay receiving corps. He lasted a couple of years on the roster but wasn't able to crack it this season. It's probably best he find a different team with a greater need at the position but his dynasty value is non-existent at the moment,
Dynasty | The Vikings have released running back Myles Gaskin. Dynasty Analysis: Gaskin was attempting to earn a depth spot with Minnesota but failed to impress throughout camp. Once a fairly productive runner in Miami, Gaskin hasn't been able to make much of an impression over the last couple of seasons. He could latch on elsewhere but this is a bad sign for his future dynasty value.
Dynasty | The Giants have released wide receiver Allen Robinson. Dynasty Analysis: Robinson ended up lasting just a few months with New York and has clearly lost a step (or more) at this point. He will now look to latch on to his fifth team in four years after stops in Chicago, Los Angeles (Rams), Pittsburgh, and now with the Giants. Robinson simply may be cooked at age 31 and his dynasty value has long since evaporated.
Dynasty | The Patriots have released quarterback Bailey Zappe. Dynasty Analysis: Remember when Zappe was outplaying Mac Jones and looked like he could be a future starter for New England? Yep, that seems like light years ago now. Zappe was brought back after final cuts last year but that likely won't be the case with the Patriots having Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett (now unlikely to be traded with this move) on the roster. It certainly looks like Maye is going to win the job and this may seal it.
Dynasty | The Eagles have released wide receiver John Ross. Dynasty Analysis: The former Cincinnati first round pick was attempting a comeback with the Eagles but didn't quite do enough to stick. Once the NFL's fastest man, Ross has simply been a bust during his time in the NFL. He may get a chance on a practice squad or get a call up as an injury replacement but he doesn't belong on a dynasty roster.
Dynasty | The Saints have released running back James Robinson. Dynasty Analysis: Robinson simply isn't the same player he once was in Jacksonville after his torn Achilles. Now having spent time with five different teams over the past two years, it's hard to see this as anything but a possible end to a career that once very promising. Robinson can safely be released from any deep dynasty rosters.
Dynasty | The Bears have released quarterback Brett Rypien. Dynasty Analysis: Rypien actually played quite well this preseason but apparently wasn't able to overtake Tyson Bagent as the backup to Caleb Williams. He should find some quick work as a backup somewhere in the coming days based on how he's played, though he may need to settle for a practice squad spot if he can't find what he wants. Regardless, Rypien has no dynasty value at the moment.
Dynasty | The Commanders have released wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Dynasty Analysis: Bryant was hoping to ignite a comeback story with the Commanders after missing the last few years after a multitude of suspensions. It clearly was not meant to be as he would have to really impress for a team to trust him moving forward. Bryant may get another chance somewhere but at this point, that seems a bit unlikely. He has no dynasty value at this point.
Dynasty | The Texans have released wide receiver Noah Brown. Dynasty Analysis: Brown had a dynasty cup of coffee last year when he posted 325 receiving yards and a touchdown in the span of two weeks. Unfortunately, the rest of his season yielded just 242 yards and one other score. Brown has shown some flashes and should land on his feet somewhere. This move makes it unlikely the Texans move on from John Metchie via trade as well. Brown can stay on a deep dynasty roster until we see where he may end up.
Dynasty | The Bills have released wide receiver Andy Isabella. Dynasty Analysis: Isabella has been a deep dynasty league roster staple for years but has never really put it all together. He may end up latching on somewhere else but the fact he couldn't make it on to a roster this thin at receiver is a bad sign for his career.
Dynasty | The Panthers have released wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. Dynasty Analysis: Wow. Marshall had a good camp by all accounts but the Panthers have clearly soured on their 2021 second round pick. He has clear talent but has simply never really put it all together so far in his career. He was a popular trade candidate going into cutdowns so it seems logical he'll land on his feet quickly. A fresh start was needed here, so Marshall can stay on a dynasty roster at the moment.
Dynasty | The Chargers have released running back Isaiah Spiller. Dynasty Analysis: Spiller was once a highly touted dynasty prospect but fell hard in the NFL Draft and was never able to make much of an impression with the Chargers. He may have a hard time finding work out there since there isn't a lot of great tape on him out there. At this point, Spiller can be dropped in even the deepest of leagues.
The Los Angeles Chargers released running back Isaiah Spiller on Tuesday, according to a source. Spiller, who was a former fourth-round pick in 2022 out of Texas A&M, lost out on the competition as backfield depth behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins to the likes of rookie Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson and Elijah Dotson. The 23-year-old should be able to latch on with another team before the start of the 2024 regular season, though, as backfield depth. In his two seasons with the Bolts, Spiller underperformed to the tune of a weak 2.5 yards per carry while gaining 137 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 55 carries. He also caught all nine of his targets in the passing game for 47 yards but wasn't able to find the end zone. Last year, Spiller had 37 carries for 96 rushing yards, adding 34 receiving yards on his six receptions.
From RotoBaller
The Chiefs have released WR Kadarius Toney. The talented receiver has not lived up to expectations but likely will get another chance with a new team.
The Arizona Cardinals released quarterback Desmond Ridder (concussion) on Tuesday, according to a source. Ridder, who was put in the league's concussion protocol after the preseason finale against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, had been in a competition with Clayton Tune for the backup job behind Kyler Murray this summer. That job will obviously fall to Tune now to begin the 2024 regular season. The Cardinals acquired Ridder in an offseason trade in March with the Atlanta Falcons after the 24-year-old failed to deliver in two seasons in Atlanta. The former second-rounder in 2022 out of Cincinnati struggled with turnovers in his 19 games (17 starts) while also completing 64% of his 503 pass attempts for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. If Ridder doesn't join Arizona's practice squad, he'll look for backup work elsewhere.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced on Tuesday that they have released quarterback C.J. Beathard (groin) with an injury settlement. Beathard was injured in the team's second preseason game and was released after losing the backup competition to former New England Patriots QB Mac Jones. Jones will now begin the 2024 regular season as the primary backup to starter Trevor Lawrence. The 30-year-old Beathard will now look for work as a veteran backup somewhere else, as long as he's healthy. Originally a third-round selection of the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 out of Iowa, Beathard is in his sixth NFL season. He spent the last three seasons in Jacksonville, going 49-for-66 (74.2 completion percentage) with 417 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception in only 13 games played (one start).
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers released wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. on Tuesday, according to a source. The former second-rounder had a strong training camp this summer and should be a good waiver option for other NFL teams looking to build extra receiving depth heading into the start of the 2024 regular season in just under two weeks. Marshall finds himself on the open market after catching 64 passes for 767 yards and only one touchdown on 110 targets in his three seasons in Carolina over 36 games played (16 starts). The 24-year-old pass-catcher became the odd-man out in the receiving corps after the Panthers added Diontae Johnson via trade and rookie Xavier Legette in the first round of April's NFL draft. Marshall played in only nine games in 2023 in a terrible Panthers offense and finished with only 19 receptions for 139 yards and no scores.
From RotoBaller