Guest of the League
Ultimate Fantasy Football Championship Est. 2011
FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Best Ball Scout Championship

Wed Apr 17 9:26am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

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.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Champions League Draft Recap

Player Notes
Haason Reddick Jul 1 5:00pm ET
Haason Reddick

New York Jets edge rusher Haason Reddick sat out the entire offseason program after being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles as he seeks a new contract. However, Jets reporter Zack Rosenblatt believes the team is unlikely to offer him a new deal before the start of training camp that begins on July 23. Reddick was unhappy with his deal in Philadelphia, which makes sense considering he has the sixth-most sacks since 2021 (38) but has the 19th-highest average salary ($15 million) among edge defenders. Rosenblatt said the organization could opt to guarantee his salary or add incentives to his deal to alleviate any issues, but this is a situation worth monitoring as the 2024 campaign approaches.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Jul 1 4:50pm ET
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was selected at the beginning of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has a chance to make a significant impact right away after the organization moved on from Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler this offseason. The veteran trio was responsible for most of L.A.'s receiving production over the last few seasons, so there are big holes to fill in Justin Herbert's offense. According to Herbert, McConkey has excelled right away. "He's just picked up the offense so easily. It's like he's been a four- or five-year vet," Herbert said. "He understands the game." The Georgia product didn't have impressive numbers in college, but he was sharing the field with standout tight end Brock Bowers in a run-heavy offense and dealt with several injuries. If he becomes Herbert's go-to target right away, he has at least weekly flex appeal and WR2 upside in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill Jul 1 4:30pm ET
Tyreek Hill

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the organization after he was traded from the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 offseason. However, he is seeking a new deal after Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, and Amon-Ra St. Brown each signed new contracts this offseason that each exceed Hill's $30 million average salary. "I'm very proud of those guys, for guys like me, that's great," Hill said. "I'm 30 years old.. also looking for a new deal. I'm excited to see where I fit in." Hill's 3,509 receiving yards since 2022 are the most among all wideouts by 401 yards, so while he has the right to ask for more money, it could make the contract situation with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa more tricky to navigate.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Jul 1 4:20pm ET
Lamar Jackson

Kansas City Chiefs edge rusher Charles Omenihu (knee) suffered a torn ACL in the AFC Championship victory over the Baltimore Ravens last season. The 26-year-old recorded a pivotal sack-fumble of Lamar Jackson but suffered the major injury soon after. The timeline of his injury almost guarantees he won't be ready for the regular season, Omenihu said "it's going good," when asked about his recovery. "Slow process, everybody told me it was going to be like that, but it's been decent," Omenihu said. Kansas City has Chris Jones and George Karlaftis on the roster to provide pressure on quarterbacks, but Omenihu is an important depth piece for Steve Spagnuolo's defense. The 2019 fifth-round pick has posted 18.5 sacks through his first 72 games with the Texans, 49ers, and Chiefs.

From RotoBaller

Von Miller Jul 1 4:20pm ET
Von Miller

Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller turned in the worst season of his career last year. The 35-year-old posted just three tackles and zero sacks in 12 games upon his return from a torn ACL that he suffered in 2022. The MVP of Super Bowl 50 said is aiming to get back on the right track in 2024. "My biggest individual goal is just getting back to playing my style of football," he said. "It's crazy how you get injured, and you come back, and you really shouldn't have even been playing," Miller said. "And people judge you by a product on the field. I could have easily sat out all of last season, but I couldn't do my teammates like that. I felt like being later in my career, I didn't want to sacrifice any of my years. But at the same time, I shouldn't have been out there." It sounds like Miller never felt like himself and he is "angry" heading into his 13th NFL campaign. Miller is the active leader in career sacks (123.5) and could move into 16th place all-time with just five sacks this season.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Terrell Jul 1 3:00pm ET
A.J. Terrell

Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell is scheduled to play on his fifth-year option at $12.3 million this year, but the Falcons are expected to sign him to a second deal before negotiations get tense. While Terrell, the 16th overall pick in 2020, has been good for the Falcons, he's gone two seasons without an interception and has had some rough moments as well. The top of the cornerback market is at $21 million per year, and Terrell's camp is sure to ask for close to that, but the Falcons should push back and hope to come in around the $17 million range, according to The Athletic's Josh Kendall. The 25-year-old finished last year with 45 tackles (34 solo) and 11 pass breakups in 17 games. He's considered one of the better cover corners in the league, but the Falcons probably want to see him force more turnovers if they are going to pay him.

From RotoBaller

K.J. Osborn Jul 1 2:30pm ET
K.J. Osborn

Former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn, who is heading into his fifth NFL season in 2024, has positioned himself as an early leader among New England Patriots receivers this offseason. Osborn will need to build on his offseason progress in training camp this summer, but he was usually first through drills during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp. ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss believes that Osborn, slot receiver Demario Douglas and rookie second-rounder Ja'Lynn Polk could easily be the team's top three targets to open the year if everyone is healthy. And Kendrick Bourne (knee) is expected to be healthy as he returns from a torn ACL and should be part of the mix as well. The 27-year-old Osborn should be used as more of a traditional receiver in New England, but he still has a ways to go to become fantasy relevant in standard 12-team redraft leagues.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Lynn Polk Jul 1 2:20pm ET
Ja'Lynn Polk

The New England Patriots tried to trade into the end of the first round of April's NFL draft for a wide receiver, according to multiple NFL sources, but they eventually settled on Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk at No. 37 early in the second round. Polk's toughness and relentless mentality reflected well on the culture that executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and first-year head coach Jerod Mayo hope to create. The 22-year-old's toughness and physicality have stood out since his days in high school. He caught 69 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns with the Huskies in 2023 and has a chance to carve out an immediate niche role in New England's receiving corps in his rookie season. Mayo referred to Polk as a "self-starter." Polk will probably go undrafted in most single-year fantasy leagues, but he's a name to watch in training camp this summer.

From RotoBaller

Breece Hall Jul 1 2:10pm ET
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (lower half) missed some organized team activities and mandatory minicamp this offseason with an undisclosed "lower-half" injury, but Hall said it was out of precaution and he now feels "back to my old self." Hall was mostly rehabbing his torn left ACL last offseason and he admitted he returned a little tentative in 2023, but he still managed nearly 1,000 yards rushing and caught 76 passes for a league high 591 receiving yards in 17 games after quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) suffered a season-ending injury early in Week 1. The 23-year-old finished with 507 scrimmage yards in the final three games and is on the rise heading into 2024, especially with Rodgers now back healthy. In most fantasy formats, Hall is going to be the second RB off the board in drafts this fall after Christian McCaffrey.

From RotoBaller

Jim Harbaugh Jul 1 2:10pm ET
Jim Harbaugh

Los Angeles Chargers new head coach Jim Harbaugh named first-round rookie offensive lineman Joe Alt among the five offensive linemen that separated themselves during minicamp this offseason, likely solidifying Alt as the team's starting right tackle come Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. It's more of a formality for Alt, who was almost guaranteed to be a starter based on his draft pedigree alone, but having already been named a starter before the team was even in full pads indicates that Alt has made a positive impact in his first few weeks with the Chargers. "He's got all the right stuff," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. "He respects the veterans, guys that have done it before him; He's got a great demeanor about him, great work ethic, and he's the kind of guy you want in the foxhole with you."

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Jul 1 9:18am ET
Drake Maye

Dynasty | Early reports are indicating Drake Maye will not be the opening day starter in New England. Dynasty Analysis: New England is likely taking it slow with their new franchise quarterback as Jacoby Brissett took all the first team snaps in training camp. If anything, it seems Maye will need to earn the job through training camp. Regardless, his day is coming sooner rather than later and while there's still significant risk with him based on a poor supporting cast, he remains a solid dynasty asset moving forward.

J.J. McCarthy Jul 1 9:18am ET
J.J. McCarthy

Dynasty | Vikings rookie JJ McCarthy is reportedly unlikely to start on opening day. Dynasty Analysis: This is really no surprise to anyone following the Vikings this off-season. McCarthy has done nothing wrong, but Sam Darnold is just more NFL ready at the moment and Minnesota has playoff aspirations this year. McCarthy will likely make starts later in the season (earlier if Darnold struggles) but it seems Minnesota will take it slowly with their future franchise quarterback. McCarthy remains a solid early pick in Superflex leagues and a good third round selection in conventional formats this Summer.

Andrei Iosivas Jun 30 9:00pm ET
Andrei Iosivas

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas has put in extra work this offseason, hoping to be more productive in his second year in the National Football League. "I would say Andrei and Chase (Brown) made the fastest improvement of any players I've ever had in the program," said head coach Zac Taylor. "I've never had two players improve faster." The 24-year-old showed flashes of promise during the 2023-24 campaign, finishing the season with 15 catches for 116 yards and four touchdowns. With Tyler Boyd no longer in the equation and Tee Higgins uncertain to remain in Cincinnati beyond this season, Iosivas could find himself lining up opposite Ja'Marr Chase at some point in the near future. While he has a way to go before earning the trust of redraft fantasy participants, he's worth stashing in dynasty formats.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aiyuk Jun 30 11:20am ET
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk said he wants to stay with the team this season despite a contract stalemate with the Niners. Aiyuk is entering the final season of his rookie deal but told TMZ Sports at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday that he's ready to play for the 49ers although the two sides have yet to agree on an extension. In a video on TikTok this month, Aiyuk told Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former Arizona State teammate, that "they said they don't want me back." ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also reported that talks between Aiyuk and the Niners "have stalled a bit." He's slated to count $14.124 million against the 2024 salary cap. Coming off a 75-catch, 1,342-yard, seven touchdown season, Aiyuk should stick around in the Bay Area for at least this season and should be viewed as a low-end WR1 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

James Bradberry Jun 30 11:10am ET
James Bradberry

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Zech McPhearson (Achilles) has recovered from an Achilles injury that caused him to miss his entire third season in 2023. McPhearson tore his Achilles in a preseason game last year against the Cleveland Browns. Before his injury, there was considerable buzz around the 26-year-old, who was getting a look at nickelback after two years primarily serving as a backup to starters Darius Slay and James Bradberry on the outside. "I'm 100 percent, man," McPhearson said. "It's been a long road to recovery, but I'm so thankful. Sitting out this year has just taught me so much, especially on the mental side of the game, allowing me to see the game from a different perspective." McPhearson appeared in 33 of a possible 34 regular-season games in his first two years in Philly and had 30 tackles (19 solo), one sack and two pass breakups.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Jun 30 10:53am ET
Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is hoping to reduce the workload of RB Christian McCaffrey during the upcoming season so that he can remain healthy and continue performing at a high level. In 2023, McCaffrey played a higher percentage of his team's offensive snaps than any other NFL running back, including every offensive snap in three regular-season contests and all but 11 snaps in their three playoff games.

Fantasy Spin: The 28-year-old McCaffrey won Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023 and is coming off his first NFL rushing title, making him the most likely candidate to be selected with the top overall pick in 2024 fantasy leagues. RB Elijah Mitchell, who is the No. 2 running back on the Niners' depth chart, missed six games last season but could help lighten McCaffrey's workload this year if he can avoid the injury bug.

From TheHuddle

Jacoby Brissett Jun 29 2:13pm ET
Jacoby Brissett

Dynasty | Jacoby Brissett looks to be the opening day starter for the Patriots. Dynasty Analysis: For now, at least. New England will eventually turn to Drake Maye but early reports are indicating Brissett is likely going to be the starter on opening day. Brissett could have some early season appeal in 2QB leagues but the journeyman won't have much room to flounder as his replacement waits in the wings.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Sam Darnold Jun 29 2:13pm ET
Sam Darnold

Dynasty | At this point in time, Sam Darnold appears to be the QB1 in Minnesota. Dynasty Analysis: Of all the "rookie quarterback battles" (those are usually nothing more than fake competitions), this one seems pretty legitimate. JJ McCarthy still has some work to do and Darnold seems to be more than capable enough to hold down the fort until he's ready. Darnold clearly looks like he has one more chance to prove he's a starting quarterback in the league and while that may come in an early season audition for other teams while he keeps the seat warm for McCarthy, there is still dynasty value by having him on a roster.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Deommodore Lenoir Jun 29 1:40pm ET
Deommodore Lenoir

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom has impressed enough this offseason that he seems to have the early inside track on being the first corner on the field when the team needs more than their top two. The 49ers signed Yiadom in March to bolster the competition for the No. 3 cornerback job behind starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir. General manager John Lynch said that Yiadom reminded him of himself a little in that it took some time to get his feet under him, but once he did, things began to click. "Kind of just a mindset," Lynch said. "Stop doubting yourself, and let's go. And he was able to find that last season and have that belief in it, and it really flourished." The 28-year-old former third-round pick of the Broncos in 2018 out of Boston College has 158 tackles (113 solo), half a sack, two interceptions and 26 pass breakups in his six years in the league.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Jun 29 1:30pm ET
Cooper Kupp

ESPN's Sarah Barshop lists Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp as one of the team's most surprising offseason standouts, which even she admits is odd. Kupp, who was the 2021 receiving triple-crown winner, has played through significant injuries in each of the past two seasons. He finished 2023 with 59 catches for 737 yards and five touchdowns, his fewest receiving yards since 2018, when he played in only eight games. However, Kupp is healthy this offseason, and it showed on the practice field. Head coach Sean McVay said during organized team activities that he doesn't think "anyone really understands the amount of things [Kupp was] working through last season" with his injury and that the receiver has been able to build his body "from the ground up." Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting the 2021 version of Kupp anymore, especially with Puka Nacua in the fold, but if he's healthy, he can still deliver value as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3 in 2024.

From RotoBaller