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All IN The Sequel Est. 2014
FFL: Week 4 | NFL: Week 4

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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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 4

Player Notes
Noah Brown Sep 24 9:50am ET
Noah Brown

Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown caught three passes for 29 yards on three targets in the team's win over Cincinnati on Monday night. The former Cowboys wide receiver was involved mostly in the short passing game for Jayden Daniels. Terry McLaurin was by far the most productive Washington wide receiver in this game but Brown did have a role to play on the outside. With Luke McCaffrey as the slot receiver, Brown could become more involved as the outside receiver opposite McLaurin. But Daniels looks to run often and there aren't a ton of opportunities for receivers to make big plays in this offense. It's best to leave Brown on the fantasy waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

Mike Gesicki Sep 24 9:40am ET
Mike Gesicki

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki had four catches for 47 yards on five targets in the team's Monday night loss to Washington. Gesicki did not find the end zone but was decently productive as the team's third-leading receiver behind Ja'Marr Chase and Andrei Iosivas. Gesicki has always been a big red-zone threat so a lot of his value is dependent on him scoring touchdowns, which is not uncommon for fantasy tight ends. Backup tight end Erick All, Jr., caught all four of his targets, which cut into Gesicki's production a bit in this one. The veteran tight end, however, should be a threat week-to-week to find the end zone and remains on the fantasy radar at the position although he is not a weekly starter.

From RotoBaller

Chase Brown Sep 24 9:30am ET
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown rushed seven times for 62 yards to lead the team in rushing in a loss to Washington on Monday night. Brown was out-carried 12-7 by starter Zack Moss but was the more efficient runner on Monday night. Moss got the 1-yard TD at the end of the game and was more effective in the receiving game. Brown did catch two passes for seven yards on three targets. The 8.9 yards per carry is a positive sign for the second-year back as he looks to establish more of a role for himself. The Bengals are going to use both Moss and Brown so Brown's production figures to fluctuate game-to-game. Brown is a great handcuff and has some standalone value but he is not yet a fantasy starter in most weeks.

From RotoBaller

Curtis Samuel Sep 24 9:20am ET
Curtis Samuel

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel did not factor heavily into the Bills Week 3 offensive output against Jacksonville. The Bills put up 47 points but Samuel had three catches for 22 yards and one rush for no gain. Josh Allen and the Bills spread the ball around in this one and Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid, and Ty Johnson each caught a touchdown pass and James Cook and Ray Davis scored rushing TDs. Samuel hasn't found a consistent piece of the Bills offensive pie yet this season after coming over from Washington in the offseason. With so many offensive weapons, it's hard to see Samuel making a big fantasy impact this season.

From RotoBaller

Gabriel Davis Sep 24 9:10am ET
Gabriel Davis

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis saw six targets against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night but could only turn those into two catches for 18 yards. Christian Kirk and Brian Thomas, Jr., saw most of the targets for the Jaguars as they were routed by the Bills in Buffalo. Davis was unable to get loose against his former team in this one. Even at his most productive in Buffalo, Davis was a boom-or-bust fantasy option. The big-play threat has yet to break free for a long catch from Trevor Lawrence this season. With Kirk and Thomas ahead of him on the receiving pecking order and tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) likely to take targets away from him upon his return, Davis is best left on the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

Brian Thomas Jr. Sep 24 2:00am ET
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. caught five of nine targets in a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The rookie first-round receiver had a solid outing despite the blowout and looks like a high upside fantasy option in the future for patient fantasy managers. The Jaguars offense has struggled through three weeks, but BTJ has been solid despite that. In Week 1, BTJ caught a touchdown, in Week 2, he had 94 yards receiving, and in Week 3, he had his most targets and receptions so far. If the LSU product can put it all together, he could be in for a big game very soon. Given his baseline talent level, despite being a part of a rough offense, the rookie receiver should continue to serve as a high upside flex option going forward. BTJ and the Jaguars offense faces yet another tough defense in the Houston Texans in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Mills Sep 24 1:53am ET
Jalen Mills

The New York Jets signed free-agent S Jalen Mills to the practice squad Monday, Jan. 23, according to a source.

From TheHuddle

Christian Kirk Sep 24 1:50am ET
Christian Kirk

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk was the team's best performer in an otherwise rough night in a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Jaguars put up a stinker on Monday Night Football, but fantasy managers who kept faith in Kirk should be happy with an eight catch, 79 yard performance, especially in PPR leagues. That led the team in both categories, a drastic turn from his two catches for 29 yards in the first two games. Despite the good performance, it will still be hard to trust Kirk going forward giving how bad the Jaguars offense has looked so far. The matchups will also not get any easier over the next few weeks, so expectations should remain low for Kirk and the Jaguars offense. However, the former Arizona Cardinal could maintain a WR3 level in PPR leagues if he continues to earn targets. Kirk will look to build on this bounce back performance in Week 4 against the Houston Texans.

From RotoBaller

Travis Etienne Sep 24 1:40am ET
Travis Etienne

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. was solid despite game script being against him in a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Etienne Jr. didn't get a touchdown this week for the first time this season, but he put up a solid 68 yards rushing on 11 attempts as well as 17 yards on four receptions. The Clemson product has maintained an RB2 level so far this season, as given the Jaguars offense is struggling, his upside is limited. The Jaguars have faced three good defenses so far, but either way, the offense has not looked good at all. Etienne Jr. has been one of the few bright spots of the offense, and if it can manage to get going anytime soon, he may be in for a big game. For now, the 25-year-old back will struggle to stand out in fantasy, but will maintain a solid floor heading into a Week 4 matchup with the Houston Texans.

From RotoBaller

Brenton Strange Sep 24 1:40am ET
Brenton Strange

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange only caught two passes, but one was for the team's only touchdown in a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He finished with 17 yards receiving, catching two of his five targets. Taking over for Evan Engram once again, Strange was a little quieter from a yards perspective compared to last week, but the touchdown gave him a respectable fantasy output. The second-year tight end will likely move back to his original role of clear backup to Engram once the starter returns from injury, but for now, Strange is a solid starting option for teams in desperate need of tight end help, which seems to be most fantasy managers so far this season. As with most tight ends, Strange has a low floor but enough of a ceiling where he is a startable option as long as Engram is out. He will look to catch another touchdown in a Week 4 matchup with the Houston Texans.

From RotoBaller

Jaylon Smith Sep 24 1:23am ET
Jaylon Smith

The New York Jets brought in free-agents S Akeem Dent, LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams, WR Brandon Smith, LB Jaylon Smith, LB Charlie Thomas and S Jeremy Tyler for workouts Monday, Sept. 23.

From TheHuddle

Keon Coleman Sep 24 1:20am ET
Keon Coleman

Head coach Sean McDermott revealed that Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman was benched for the first quarter due to punctuality issues. "This will serve as a learning opportunity for him," McDermott stated after the game. "It was a matter of being on time. He understands his responsibility to his teammates. We've addressed it, we support him, and now we move forward. I thought he played well tonight." Coleman made an impact after entering the game in the second quarter, scoring his first career touchdown and helping the Bills secure a decisive 47-10 victory. The 24-yard touchdown was his only target of the evening. Coleman participated in 19 out of 60 offensive snaps, which amounts to just 31.66%. However, heading into Week 3, he led all Bills wide receivers with 83 offensive snaps, outpacing the next closest receiver, Mack Hollins, by 16. Coleman also topped the team in routes run and was second in targets before his benching. With the Bills' offense performing at a high level, Coleman could be a solid flex option in favorable matchupsprovided he arrives on time, of course.

From RotoBaller

Trevor Lawrence Sep 24 1:20am ET
Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence put up yet another underwhelming performance in a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He finished with 178 passing yards, completing 21 of his 38 passing attempts. He threw one touchdown and one interception. The Jaguars offense just hasn't worked so far this season, and Lawrence has not looked great throughout. This is his second game with less than 200 yards passing, and he only has two touchdowns in three games. Even the potential rushing upside he has added during his career just hasn't materialized this season. The former number one pick is a player that can be dropped at this point in most leagues. His early schedule has been tough, but he isn't providing enough of a floor to be trusted at all to start in fantasy lineups. Lawrence has yet another tough road matchup in Week 4 when he faces the Houston Texans.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Daniels Sep 24 1:13am ET
Jayden Daniels

Dynasty | Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 21-of-23 passes for 254 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions, adding 39 rushing yards and another touchdown in a road win against the Bengals. Dynasty Analysis: Uhh, what? Daniels set the rookie record for completion percentage in a game and looked calm, cool, and collected in the process. If there were any doubts about his transition to the NFL, they were answered tonight as Daniels routinely made play after play on the road against a team absolutely desperate for a win. Daniels looks like the player we thought Anthony Richardson could be last year and has the looks of a long-term QB1 already. The buying window has closed.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Zack Moss Sep 24 1:13am ET
Zack Moss

Dynasty | Bengals running back Zack Moss had 58 rushing yards, five catches, 39 receiving yards and a touchdown in a loss against the Commanders. Dynasty Analysis: Moss again out-touched Chase Brown, this time 17-9. Unfortunately, Brown was solid himself so this is looking more and more like a 60/40 timeshare moving forward. Regardless, this was game Moss needed to have and he's looked like a solid addition for Cincinnati as they try to fill the shoes of Joe Mixon on the cheap. Moss will be a low-end RB2 moving forward.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Trevor Lawrence Sep 24 1:13am ET
Trevor Lawrence

Dynasty | Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed just 21-of-38 passes for 178 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a humiliating loss to the Bills. Dynasty Analysis: The Jaguars were cooked to the tune of a 47-10 score where they were outplayed in every aspect of the game. Lawrence himself looks out of synch and has no rhythm with his new receiving corps. With just two touchdown passes through three weeks, Lawrence is looking like a poor game manager and player expected to do way too much with way too little at the moment. He belongs on fantasy benches in what's looking like a lost season. Lawrence's dynasty value is also sinking as it's fair to wonder if he really is as good as many thought he was coming out of Clemson.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Keon Coleman Sep 24 1:13am ET
Keon Coleman

Dynasty | Bills rookie receiver Keon Coleman had a 24-yard touchdown catch in the Bills 47-10 demolition of Jacksonville. Dynasty Analysis: Unfortunately, it was Coleman's only target on the night. With just seven targets through three games, it's clear the BIlls are bringing him along slowly. Khalil Shakir is starting to establish himself as the top option and that's going to keep Coleman as a dynasty stash for the time being. While he doesn't belong near lineups at the moment, we can see the talent and dynasty managers are going to need to simply stay patient. Coleman could be a savvy manager's buy low at the moment.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Mark Andrews Sep 24 1:10am ET
Mark Andrews

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has warned Mark Andrews' managers that they're in a turbulent ride. Andrews has been a source of frustration for fantasy owners, and Harbaugh indicated that this situation is unlikely to improve soon. He mentioned that the tight end position will see rotation, and snap counts will vary according to the team's game strategy. Last week, Andrews was on the field for only 33 percent of the snaps due to the Ravens utilizing "heavy" personnel packages. Given Harbaugh's comments, it will be challenging to depend on Andrews for consistent production week after week. A tight end participating in just a third of the snaps isn't positioned to deliver major stats in fantasy leagues. While Andrews' managers shouldn't feel the need to drop him outright, it makes sense to consider benching him until there's more clarity regarding the tight-end rotation. The challenge lies in discovering any viable alternatives in the current tight-end nightmare.

From RotoBaller

Mike Gesicki Sep 24 1:03am ET
Mike Gesicki

Cincinnati Bengals TE Mike Gesicki ended up with four receptions for 47 yards on five targets in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders.

Fantasy Spin: Gesicki has not found the end zone in three games, but he does have three or more grabs in each of his first three outings. He has averaged 11.8 or more yards per reception in each of the past two outings. He has been a solid low-end TE1 in most fantasy leagues, but hopefully he'll get some more looks in the red zone soon.

From TheHuddle

Zach Ertz Sep 24 12:33am ET
Zach Ertz

Washington Commanders TE Zach Ertz ended up with five catches for 38 yards on five targets in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Fantasy Spin: Ertz is a shell of his former self, but he can still manage to get free and make catches. He isn't a TE1 in fantasy leagues of 12 or more teams any longer, but he is still solidly a TE2 in most formats. The Commanders travel to meet the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.

From TheHuddle