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FFL: Week 10 | NFL: Week 10

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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Player Notes
Dallas Goedert Nov 11 1:20am ET
Dallas Goedert

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert converted his three targets into two catches for 25 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 10 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Although his volume was quite low, he salvaged his fantasy performance by finding the end zone in Philadelphia's big 34-6 win. The 29-year-old is averaging 12.9 fantasy points per game (PPR) this year and should be treated as a mid-to-low TE1 heading into Week 11 versus the Washington Commanders.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Nov 11 1:20am ET
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara came into Week 10 needing 12 yards to overtake Mark Ingram as the franchise's all-time leading rusher and achieved that milestone on his second touch of the game. On the day he took 17 carries 55 yards on the ground and caught five of his six targets for 54 receiving yards. With the Saints' receiving corps depleted by injury, Kamara led the team in receptions and targets. With just under two minutes left in the game, Kamara was left wide open downfield but what would have been the game-sealing touchdown pass bounced off his hands. The Saints held on for a 20-17 win over the Falcons but Kamara's scoreless streak extends to four games. His next chance will come against the Cleveland Browns in Week 11.

From RotoBaller

Taysom Hill Nov 11 1:20am ET
Taysom Hill

Taysom Hill had four rushing attempts for 14 yards and caught both of his targets for 36 receiving yards in the New Orleans Saints 20-17 upset of the Atlanta Falcons. Hill could have had a much more lucrative fantasy score had it not been for a teammate's miscue. The 34-year-old utilityman was on the receiving end of the Saints' opening play, a play-action bootleg that he took 88 yards to the end zone, but the score was nullified due to a holding penalty on Foster Moreau. Hill's usage disappointed fantasy managers hoping he would build off of a solid Week 9 performance, especially with the Saints' offense decimated by injuries. Hill has at least six touches in five of the six games where he has been active. A similar workload can be expected in Week 11 when the Saints face the Browns, with his fantasy value hinging on him finding the end zone.

From RotoBaller

Hassan Haskins Nov 11 1:10am ET
Hassan Haskins

Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins scored the first touchdown of his NFL career in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Haskins only carried the ball twice and gained four yards total, but one of those runs was a goal-line plunge in the fourth quarter. He remains third at best on the depth chart, with both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards well ahead of him. Haskins is a solid depth piece on an NFL team, but isn't worth consideration in any fantasy formats at this point.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Nov 11 1:10am ET
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr went 16-for-25 for 269 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 20-17 upset of the Atlanta Falcons. He also picked up 17 yards on the ground. Overall, it was his best performance (fantasy or otherwise) since the season's opening weeks when the Saints looked like an offensive powerhouse in the making. Carr also avoided being sacked for the first time this season and also did not throw an interception. Ironically, he set a new season-high in passing yards even with the Saints' wide receiver room thinned out by a spate of injuries. Journeyman Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the big winner, catching both of Carr's touchdown passes and running back Alvin Kamara remained his favorite target, seeing six balls thrown his way. In Week 11, Carr will face the Cleveland Browns who will be coming off their bye but gave up 282 yards and two touchdowns to Justin Herbert in Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Cameron Dicker Nov 11 1:10am ET
Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made all five of his kicks in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Dicker made all three extra points along with two field goals in another solid performance. His first field goal was a 21-yard kick in the first quarter and his second was a 37-yarder in the second quarter. Dicker has been exceptionally accurate and has added some distance to his kicks this season, making him a solid and reliable fantasy kicker despite it being fantasy football's least projectable positions.

From RotoBaller

Will Dissly Nov 11 1:00am ET
Will Dissly

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly led the team in catches and targets in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Dissly made five catches on six targets for a total of 30 yards. Quarterback Justin Herbert only attempted 18 passes, completing 14 of them. Dissly returned to a heavily involved role in the passing game after a down game last week. He may continue with similar involvement going forward, but he's very much just a floor play without much of a ceiling. The Bolts will take on the Bengals in Week 11 for a Sunday Night Football contest.

From RotoBaller

Quentin Johnston Nov 11 1:00am ET
Quentin Johnston

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston scored the only receiving touchdown for the Bolts in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Johnston was targeted twice, making both catches for a total of 24 yards. His touchdown was on a 16-yard pass near the end of the third quarter. The Chargers went extremely run-heavy in this game, recording just 18 pass attempts compared to 39 rushes. Next week against the Bengals on Sunday Night Football should require a few more passes, making Johnston a possible WR3 in that contest.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Nov 11 12:50am ET
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey made just two catches in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. He ended up leading the team in receiving yards though, gaining 52 yards on the day. McConkey only saw two targets on a day where quarterback Justin Herbert attempted only 18 passes. McConkey had a long 37-yard gain and combined that with a 15-yard play to compile his yardage. McConkey is likely to see more than just two targets on Sunday Night Football in Week 11, when the Chargers will face the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Queen Nov 11 12:50am ET
Patrick Queen

The Pittsburgh Steelers surrendered 27 points to the Washington Commanders while recording three sacks and a fumble recovery in a Week 10 victory. It was far from a dominant showing for Pittsburgh's defense, especially from a fantasy perspective, but its pass rush continued to make an impact. Newly-acquired linebacker Preston Smith logged a sack in his Steelers debut while Patrick Queen made numerous plays to limit Washington's potent offensive attack. Unfortunately, standout linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) was injured late in the contest and could be forced to miss some time. Fantasy managers may want to hang on to the Steelers DST for a Week 12 bout with the Cleveland Browns, but it won't be a recommended option next week against the Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Nov 11 12:50am ET
Josh Palmer

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer made just one catch in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Palmer was targeted twice, making his one catch for a 36-yard gain. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert only attempted 18 passes in this extremely run-heavy game, leaving Palmer tied for third on the team in targets with his pair and second on the team in receiving yards with the 36. Palmer has seemingly worked his way into a boom-or-bust type role but has yet to have a significant boom week. He's not a reliable fantasy starter and should remain on most fantasy benches in Week 11 when the Chargers take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Nov 11 12:50am ET
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings bolstered his fantasy value in a 23-20 win over the Buccaneers in Tampa on Sunday. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound wideout led the game with 11 targets, which he turned into seven receptions for 93 yards. Today's contest could be treated as something of a bellwether concerning San Francisco's post-Brandon Aiyuk passing attack, as Jennings himself was also absent due to injury for the Week 8 victory over Dallas. With Jennings nearly doubling the target total of rookie Ricky Pearsall and Deebo Samuel Sr. -- each with six -- it appears that Jennings is here to stay as a weekly starting option in fantasy. Jennings and the 49ers will take on the rival Seattle Seahawks at home in Week 11.

From RotoBaller

J.K. Dobbins Nov 11 12:40am ET
J.K. Dobbins

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins didn't do all that much in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Dobbins carried the ball 15 times, gaining 50 yards. He was targeted in the passing game three times, making all three catches but gaining a total of just five yards through the air. Gus Edwards (ankle) returned from IR and took 10 carries of his own, eating into the workload of Dobbins. The Chargers were nursing a lead for most of the second half though, presumably in a closer game Dobbins will still be the top option in the backfield. That closer game could happen on Sunday Night Football in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Gus Edwards Nov 11 12:40am ET
Gus Edwards

Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (ankle) returned from Injured Reserve and played well in a Week 10 win against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Edwards spent the minimum four games on IR and returned to take 10 carries, gaining 55 yards. He ended up leading the team in rushing yards and finishing second in rushing attempts. Edwards will remain in a backup role behind J.K. Dobbins, but after a slow start to the season before landing on IR, it was good to see a slightly more efficient Edwards move the ball well.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Nov 11 12:30am ET
Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had his third straight strong game for the team in the 16-14 loss on Sunday to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10. Sutton snapped his two-game streak with 100-plus receiving yards, but he still put forth an impressive game for his fantasy managers with a team-high six receptions on a team-high nine targets for a team-leading 70 receiving yards and his third touchdown of the year. The 29-year-old's touchdown grab came on a 32-yard pass that put the Broncos up 14-3 at the time in the second quarter. The Broncos have been involving Sutton much more ever since his zero-catch game in the Week 7 win over the Saints. That should continue next Sunday versus the Atlanta Falcons, where fantasy managers should consider Sutton a high-volume WR3/flex option.

From RotoBaller

Chris Boswell Nov 11 12:30am ET
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell connected on all four of his extra-point attempts in a 28-27 victory over the Washington Commanders. For the first time this season, Boswell did not register a field goal attempt as the Steelers' offense was able to punch the ball into the end zone on three of its four red zone visits. Pittsburgh is scoring at a much higher rate with Russell Wilson under center, but fantasy managers should not expect Boswell to be this quiet most weeks. He should bounce back in Week 11 in a divisional showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Nov 11 12:30am ET
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had an efficient and effective game in a Week 10 win against the Tennessee Titans. Herbert attempted 18 passes, completing 14 of them for 164 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. Herbert did not take a sack, adding 32 yards on nine carries, including a four-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Herbert's other score was a passing touchdown on a 16-yard play to Quentin Johnston. It was an extremely run-heavy script for the Chargers offense, who saw 18 pass attempts and 39 runs. Herbert and the Bolts will face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football in Week 11.

From RotoBaller

Devaughn Vele Nov 11 12:30am ET
Devaughn Vele

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele found paydirt for the first time in his NFL career on Sunday in the Week 10 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on the road, finishing the contest with four receptions for 39 yards and the touchdown. The 26-year-old seventh-rounder out of Utah caught everything thrown his way on the day, and his four targets were tied for second on the team with Marvin Mims Jr. behind WR1 Courtland Sutton. It was nice to see Vele pick up his first NFL touchdown on the first touchdown of the day in this game, but he has gone over four receptions just once and exceeded 50 receiving yards once in his six games played. Expect quarterback Bo Nix to keep spreading the ball around through the air outside of Sutton, which makes it hard to recommend Vele as a flex option in fantasy, even in much deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Sam LaPorta Nov 11 12:30am ET
Sam LaPorta

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint, head coach Dan Campbell said after Sunday night's win over the Houston Texans. LaPorta exited in the third quarter and did not return. He finished Week 10 with six targets, three catches, 66 yards, and one touchdown. It doesn't sound like LaPorta will be sidelined for too long, but Campbell did note that the tight end could miss Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If so, Brock Wright would step up as the Lions' primary tight end, ranking as a low-end fantasy TE2.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Nov 11 12:30am ET
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a solid game in the win over the New York Jets, connecting with quarterback Kyler Murray on a 9-yard touchdown pass. Harrison Jr.'s official stat line was five catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. Despite the Cardinals taking a commanding lead and shifting to a run-first approach, Harrison Jr. was still productive. The Cardinals made it clear that a point of emphasis was to get Harrison Jr. the ball often, singling him out in man-to-man situations and targeting him near the red zone. This was a sign of good things to come, but the Cardinals will have to wait a week to build on it, as they have a bye week in Week 11.

From RotoBaller