Best Ball Scout Championship
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.
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The Paur Report
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore caught six of his eight targets for 66 yards and a touchdown in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Moore found the end zone for the first time all season on a 30-yard pass from Jameis Winston in the third quarter. The veteran receiver's fantasy value has come to life with the switch to Winston at quarterback as Moore has drawn at least eight targets in each of his past three games. Moore sets up as a decent flex option heading into Week 12's Thursday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman caught three of his eight targets for 47 yards in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Tillman's final stat line comes as a disappointment after his previous three outings but the eight targets he drew are still encouraging in a game where the Browns threw 47 passes. The second-year wide receiver remains solidly on the WR2/WR3 border thanks to his recent strong play and should be in starting lineups when the Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson continued his struggles against the AFC North-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Week 11. No matter either team's record, the Steelers and Ravens rivalry is always a battle. In the close loss, Jackson mustered 207 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 16-for-33 passing while adding four carries for 46 yards. Jackson and company couldn't find a rhythm from the start, while the Steelers' defensive line made sure he felt their presence. The reigning MVP will look to bounce back in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb carried the ball 11 times for 50 yards and was not targeted in the passing game in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Chubb averaged a season-best 4.5 yards per carry but it was another slow day at the office as the Browns went pass-heavy, only opting for 20 running plays compared to 47 pass attempts. The veteran running back has struggled to emerge as a fantasy-relevant option in his four games since returning from a 2023 torn ACL, rushing for 163 yards and one touchdown on 53 totes. He will be a low-end RB3 in Week 12's Thursday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (oblique) exited during the first quarter of Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. He is officially doubtful to return. Shenault had not registered a touch at the time of his departure. DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba remain the top receivers in Seattle, with Jake Bobo and Cody White rounding out the depth chart.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston completed 30 of his 46 passes for 395 yards and two touchdowns while adding an eight-yard run in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. The game was actually closer than the final score indicates as Winston and the Browns went into the fourth quarter tied with the Saints at 14-14 but New Orleans scored three straight touchdowns in the final quarter to seal the game. It was a strong showing from Winston, who found Jerry Jeudy for an 89-yard touchdown and Elijah Moore for a 30-yard score. Sitting on seven touchdowns and three interceptions this season, Winston will remain on the map as a QB2 heading into Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Thursday night game.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (forearm) was ruled out prior to the conclusion of Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 30-year-old picked up the injury while tackling Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. late in the first half of Week 11. He finished the contest with five tackles, including one for loss. Anzalone was replaced in the lineup by Ben Niemann and Trevor Nowaske.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders running backs Zamir White (quad) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) both exited during Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins. The two running backs were listed as questionable in the waning minutes of the contest. White finished Week 11 with just five carries for nine yards and did not get involved as a receiver. Mattison also rushed five times, picking up 19 yards on the ground. He also caught all three of his targets for 50 yards through the air. Moving forward, Mattison is the only Raiders running back worth rostering in 12-team fantasy leagues. Even then, he's tough to trust in starting lineups given the weakened state of the Raiders' offense. Fantasy managers should, of course, continue to monitor both running backs' injury statuses ahead of Week 12 against the Denver Broncos.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (head) was taken to the locker room for concussion evaluation during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. At the moment, the Titans have not disclosed whether Spears was officially diagnosed with a concussion. Operating as the backup to Tony Pollard on Sunday, Spears registered three carries for zero yards on the ground. He also caught two of his three targets for an additional gain of eight yards through the air. Fantasy managers should monitor Spears' status going forward, but Pollard continues to be the only Tennessee running back worth starting in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) has been ruled out for the remainder of Week 11 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is a crushing loss for the Ravens given that Smith led the team in total tackles and tackles for loss at the time of his departure on Sunday. The veteran defender finishes the divisional battle with 13 total tackles, including two tackles for loss. Malik Harrison projects to earn more snaps for the duration of Smith's absence.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (cramps) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans and is officially questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had caught three of his eight targets for 61 yards and one touchdown. Even if Addison doesn't return in Week 11, fantasy managers should feel confident about his ability to recover and be available for the Vikings next weekend in Chicago. He continues to rank as an intriguing WR3/FLEX option in most fantasy leagues. In the meantime, Jalen Nailor will step up as the Vikings' No. 2 wide receiver behind Justin Jefferson.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 11 contest against the Minnesota Vikings. Gibbens was carted off the field in the third quarter. He had not registered a tackle prior to his departure. Jerome Baker should see increased defensive snaps for the duration of Gibbens' absence.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. Davis finished Week 11 with three targets, one catch, and three receiving yards. The Jaguars are shorthanded on offense with Trevor Lawrence (shoulder), Tank Bigsby (ankle), and Christian Kirk (sidelined), and now Davis joins that list. Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington will step up as Jacksonville's top receivers until the 25-year-old can return.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander (knee) will not return to the Week 11 game because of his knee injury.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills WR Amari Cooper (wrist) is officially active for the Week 11 game.
Fantasy Spin: Cooper likely will see a handful of targets this week against the Kansas City Chiefs and can be at least a flex option in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) left Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears with a knee injury, and the team has listed him as questionable to return. With the injury coming in the second half, the team could play it safe and keep him on the sidelines. Corey Ballentine is the next man up on the depth chart and will try to secure a division win.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiverAmari Cooper(wrist) is officially active for Sunday's Week 11 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Cooper had been listed as questionable and was seen wearing a cast prior to kickoff, but the expectation was that he'd be able to play. We previously heard from ESPN's Adam Schefter that Cooper would be active but might have a reduced workload in his return from a two-game absence. As a result, fantasy managers should feel comfortable deploying Cooper as nothing more than a WR3/FLEX. He has been productive when healthy, but a potential snap count or partial decoy role could limit some of his upside on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers have declared DT Kevin Givens, DT Khalil Davis, OG Ben Bartch, WR Ronnie Bell, CB Charvarius Ward and TE George Kittle inactive for Week 11.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) has been declared inactive for the Week 11 game.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation to see how long Kittle will be sidelined. Players could not consider starting any of the other 49ers tight ends this week, but Ricky Pearsall may see a boost in value and could be a possible flex option in some leagues.
From TheHuddle
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns CB Denzel Ward (chest) has been able to return to the Week 11 game after missing some time because of a chest injury.
From TheHuddle
