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 6
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was solidly involved in the Packers' 34-13 victory against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6. Jacobs took 18-of-29 running back carries on the afternoon for 62 rushing yards. He also caught all three of his targets on day for 29 yards, to account for the most total yards of any skill-position player on the team. All four offensive scores came via the pass from Jordan Love, but the run was utilized heavily as the team had a total of 38 rushes to 32 pass attempts. Jacobs' workhorse role was slightly in question with Emanuel Wilson's emergence but after Love returned, Wilson has merely spelled Jacobs. The Packers stay home in Week 7 to match up with the Houston Texans, where Jacobs will be a low-end RB1 for fantasy purposes.
From RotoBaller
After what has been a frustrating start to the season, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell broke out Sunday at New England with seven catches for 57 yards and a touchdown on a team-high nine targets. The second-year receiver was involved early, finishing Houston's first drive with a two-yard touchdown reception, his first scoring play of the season. Houston will be without star wide receiver Nico Collins for at least three more weeks, so Dell's usage at New England could be a preview of the weeks to come. The former Houston Cougar will look for more production when the Texans travel to Green Bay in Week 7.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper caught four of his six targets for 42 yards in a 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. Cooper turned in another pedestrian outing in the loss to the Eagles as he has been held to 42 yards or fewer in four of his six games played and has gone over 10.0 PPR fantasy points just once all season. The veteran wide receiver's name has come up as a possible trade candidate with the Browns sitting at 1-5 on the season and a trade to a contender could be a path to unlocking some fantasy value for Cooper for the remainder of the season. As it stands, he will be a boom/bust WR3 heading into a Week 7 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy caught one of his three targets for a 35-yard gain in a 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. Jeudy was quiet for most of the game but his 35-yard catch helped to set up a 31-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal with 3:57 left in the fourth quarter. The veteran receiver has shown some promise this season but he will continue to be tough to trust with Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland offense struggling to move the ball. Jeudy will not be a strong fantasy option heading into a Week 7 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns RB D'Onta Foreman rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. He also caught two passes for 16 yards during the game.
Fantasy Spin: Foreman shared playing with several other running back during the game but led the team in carries. His role for Week 7 is uncertain because of Jerome Ford's injury but could be a flex option in some deeper leagues if receives most of the work at running back.
From TheHuddle
Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner rushed seven times for just 24 yards in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers. He added four receptions for 22 yards on five targets.
Fantasy Spin: Conner has been putting up some strong number this season, putting him in the borderline low-end RB1 or high-end RB2 neighborhood, but that certainly wasn't the case in Week 6. He'll look to bounce back in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night. Treat him as more of a RB2 for that one.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman carried the ball 10 times for 31 yards and added two catches for 16 yards in a 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. Foreman saw an uptick in work with Jerome Ford leaving during the first quarter with a hamstring injury and eventually getting ruled out for the remainder of the game. Despite the additional opportunities, Foreman struggled to gain much traction in yet another game where the Cleveland offense had a hard time moving the ball. The Browns may be getting Nick Chubb (knee) back for Week 7's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, which would put a big dent into Foreman's workload in the future. If Chubb ultimately ends up not playing in Week 7 and Ford isn't ready to return, Foreman could operate as the team's lead back next week, giving him flex appeal in fantasy. Stay tuned.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon delivered in his first game back from an ankle injury, compiling 132 total yards, two catches, and two touchdowns in a 41-21 defeat of the New England Patriots. The first-year Texan caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud in the first quarter, then went to work on the ground, finishing with 13 carries for 102 yards. Mixon's 20-yard touchdown carry in the fourth quarter was his first scoring run since Week 1, and his 30 receiving yards ranked third on the team Sunday. The former Cincinnati Bengal continues to be option No. 1 out of the Houston backfield as the Texans prepare for Green Bay in Week 7.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. carried the ball eight times for 43 yards and caught two of his three targets for 35 yards in a 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. Strong got extra work in the loss after the Browns lost starting running back Jerome Ford to a hamstring injury in the first half and he wound up tying for second on the team in receiving yards with Jerry Jeudy. Ford's status for Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals is up in the air, so Strong could be in play as the Browns' main pass-catching back against their divisional foes. If Ford ultimately does not play, Strong would have some low-end flex appeal in PPR leagues for Week 7.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs compiled another productive week with seven targets, six catches, 77 receiving yards, and a touchdown in Houston's 41-21 triumph on Sunday at New England. The 30-year-old found the end zone for the fourth time (three receiving, one rushing) in six games with Houston. Diggs has maintained consistently high usage in the Texans' offense, which carried over Sunday without the presence of top target Nico Collins (hamstring), who is now on injured reserve. The Maryland product has been a steady option week-in and week-out for Houston, which is now 5-1. The Texans will look to keep the trend going in Week 7 at Green Bay.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson went 16-for-23 for 168 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. He also rushed for 17 yards on four carries during the game.
Fantasy Spin: Watson has been held to under 200 passing yards in every game this season and failed to record a passing touchdown for the second time this season. He should be avoided in fantasy leagues until he is more productive on the field.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 16 of his 23 passes for 168 yards and no touchdowns while adding four carries for 17 yards in a 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. Watson struggled against a weak pass defense for a second consecutive week as he was unable to lead his team on any touchdown-scoring drives in the close road loss. The veteran quarterback has now failed to throw for more than 196 yards in any of his six games this season as the Browns have struggled mightily on offense. Steadily sinking into low-end QB2 territory in fantasy, Watson will take five touchdowns and three interceptions into a Week 7 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders DT Jonathan Allen (pectoral) suffered a pectoral injury during the Week 6 game and has been ruled out.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean (hamstring) exited after making a tackle near the end of the first quarter of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. He registered one tackle prior to his departure, bringing his season total to 43. Tyrek Funderburk should step up and earn more opportunities for the duration of Dean's absence. Tampa Bay hosts the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (hamstring) will not return to the Week 6 game because of his hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players will need to monitor Goedert's practice participation this upcoming week to see if he has a chance to play in Week 7. Grant Calcaterra has played well in place of Goedert and could be a low-end No. 1 tight end in deeper leagues if Goedert is not able to play.
From TheHuddle
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. He initially exited midway through the second quarter and did not return. The standout rookie finishes Week 6 with zero catches on two targets. This is a crushing blow for managers who have inserted the No. 4 overall pick as a WR1 or WR2 in fantasy football this year. Not only is he done for this week, but he'll face an uphill battle to clear concussion protocol and be eligible to play in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Look for the Cardinals' passing attack to run through Trey McBride, Michael Wilson, and Greg Dortch until Harrison can return.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (ankle) is officially active for Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons. He had been listed as questionable after being limited in practice all week long, but he was trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game. Johnson's being active gives the Panthers a key weapon as they take on their divisional foe, the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson has played quite well with Andy Dalton under center; if you exclude last week's game in which Johnson got hurt, he's averaging 7.5 catches, 102.5 yards, and one touchdown per game with Dalton at quarterback. The former Steelers wide receiver is a solid fantasy WR2 this week in Carolina.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring) is now listed as questionable to return to Sunday's game with a hamstring injury. The 23-year-old saw six carries out of the backfield before leaving the game. He was able to get 27 yards out of those carries. Tony Pollard has dominated a lot of the touches in this game, and Julius Chestnut will step up to take on the backup duties until Spears can get back in the game.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder) has officially been ruled out of the rest of the game against the Arizona Cardinals. Wicks saw three targets and registered one reception for nine yards before exiting the game. Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Jayden Reed should all see more opportunities while they have a touchdown each so far in this one. The severity of Wicks' injury will likely be known when they can run some more tests on Monday.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles CB Darius Slay (knee) suffered a knee injury during the Week 6 game and is considered questionable to return.
From TheHuddle
