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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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Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 3

Player Notes
Taysom Hill Sep 21 4:50pm ET
Taysom Hill

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (chest) has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The veteran tight end left the Week 2 win over the Dallas Cowboys with a chest injury and spent time at a local hospital getting tests done. Thankfully, he avoided a significant injury. However, Hill was a limited participant in practice the past two days, making him a likely longshot to play against the Eagles. Juwan Johnson will see an uptick in targets and snaps, with Hill likely out of the lineup.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Sep 21 4:30pm ET
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The star tight end showed up on the injury on Thursday, putting his status for the Week 3 contest in doubt. The injury couldn't have come at the worst time for the 49ers, with Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) missing this week's game. Brock Purdy now must lean heavily on Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Jordan Mason against Los Angeles. Fantasy players are left scrambling for a last-minute tight end replacement off the waiver wire. Unfortunately, Kittle's backup, Eric Saubert, isn't a variable replacement option in standard-size leagues.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Sep 21 3:40pm ET
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts began the season by catching all three targets for 26 yards and a touchdown versus the Steelers. Unfortunately, he struggled in Week 2 against the Eagles, amassing three grabs for 20 yards. Fantasy managers had high hopes for Pitts coming into the 2024-25 campaign. However, the 23-year-old hasn't met expectations. With that in mind, most of the tight ends around the National Football League have struggled this season. Still, Pitts' upside is higher than most in Week 3, with a favorable matchup on tap versus a Chiefs defense that has allowed more fantasy points to opposing tight ends than any team this season. Keep the 2021 No. 4 overall pick starting in all fantasy formats.

From RotoBaller

Jake Moody Sep 21 3:30pm ET
Jake Moody

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody is in Los Angeles this week to face the Rams. The former third-round pick struggled with accuracy and field-goal opportunities in 2023 but has been productive in the young season. He currently sits in a three-way tie with New Orleans' Blake Grupe and Pittsburgh's Chris Boswell behind leader Brandon Aubrey for the second-most fantasy points per game among kickers due to a career day in Week 1, when he hit six of six field goal attempts. Even without Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf), Christian McCaffrey (Achilles), and probably George Kittle (hamstring), the 49ers offense figures to spend a good amount of time in Rams territory. The Rams' defense appears to be vulnerable after allowing four touchdowns and two field goals to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. Moody is a Top-3 option on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins Sep 21 3:30pm ET
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has been decent in his first two games with his new team. He had a rough start to the season, throwing for 155 yards, one touchdown, and two picks versus the Steelers. However, the veteran signal-caller turned it around in the Week 2 meeting with the Eagles, tossing for 241 yards and two touchdowns while completing 69.0% of his attempts. Under normal circumstances, Cousins isn't always a lock to considered a starter in fantasy lineups from week to week. But with guys like Justin Herbert (ankle) and Jordan Love (knee) battling injuries, Cousins may be a safer option against a Chiefs defense that has struggled against opposing quarterbacks this season.

From RotoBaller

Baker Mayfield Sep 21 3:20pm ET
Baker Mayfield

The Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit sits in a tie for 13th in terms of fantasy points through the first two weeks of the 2024 season. They've allowed only 19.5 points per game and 277.5 points per game, which are both in the top half of the league. However, they've only generated four sacks and two turnovers, with most of their production coming in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, when they had the two turnovers and also two safeties. There should be plenty of better upside streaming options for fantasy managers in Week 3 as the Broncos travel to Tampa to take on a Buccaneers team that has only turned the ball over once through two weeks. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has taken care of the football so far, although he did take five sacks in the Week 2 win over the Detroit Lions. Leave the Broncos D/ST on the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

Bijan Robinson Sep 21 3:20pm ET
Bijan Robinson

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has underperformed through the first two games of the 2024-25 campaign, amassing 165 yards off 32 carries, adding nine catches (10 targets) for 68 yards. Even worse, the 2023 No. 8 overall pick is still without a touchdown this season. Without question, fantasy managers had expected more from Robinson. Still, he was taken early in nearly every fantasy draft for a reason, so he remains a must-start versus the Chiefs on Sunday night. While the Kansas City defense has been solid against opposing running backs this season, there is no way to justify keeping Robinson on fantasy benches.

From RotoBaller

Eric Saubert Sep 21 3:10pm ET
Eric Saubert

San Francisco 49ers tight end Eric Saubert is expected to step in for George Kittle when the team is in Los Angeles to face the Rams in Week 3. Saubert, 30, spent time with six other teams before signing with San Francisco this offseason. In Week 2, Saubert saw his snaps increase as Kittle experienced cramping throughout the afternoon. The journeyman caught two of two targets for 26 yards in that one. Saubert has only two career touchdowns and has never eclipsed the five catches for 36 yards he put up as a member of the Denver Broncos in Week 5 of 2023 versus the Indianapolis Colts. If anyone can take statistical advantage of Kittle's absence, it could just as easily be fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who sometimes runs routes out the tight end position and has shown adequate ball skills and awareness for modest production in fantasy. Both Saubert and Jusczcyk could contribute in DFS if angling for a touchdown at rock-bottom prices, but one can surely do better in redraft formats regardless of league size.

From RotoBaller

Devin Singletary Sep 21 3:00pm ET
Devin Singletary

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the New York Giants are "more likely to be selling than buying come early November." As a result, Graziano speculates that running back Devin Singletary could be on the way out. The 27-year-old is currently the clear-cut option at the position. He's been decent in the Giants' first two games of the 2024-25 campaign, logging 26 carries for 132 yards and one touchdown. Singletary has also averaged a respectable 5.1 yards per carry, adding five receptions for 15 yards. However, if the Giants continue to struggle after their winless start, the team could trade Singletary, who has a few years left on his current deal. With that in mind, Tyrone Tracy Jr. is worth stashing, with the rookie in line to take over as the No. 1 option out of the backfield if the Giants deal Singletary. Tracy hasn't done much for the Giants so far. But that could change in the months ahead.

From RotoBaller

Joe Mixon Sep 21 2:40pm ET
Joe Mixon

According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) won't play in Sunday's game against the Vikings. The 28-year-old had a massive Week 1 performance versus the Colts. Unfortunately, he injured his ankle in Sunday night's clash with the Chicago Bears. The former Bengal was listed as doubtful, so the latest update won't surprise fantasy managers. However, with NFL Media's Ian Rapoport also reporting Mixon is "week-to-week," nobody can say for sure if he'll return when the Texans play the Jags in Week 4. For those fortunate to have claimed Cam Akers off the waiver wire, he's a must-start in any fantasy format. While there's a chance Dare Ogunbowale gets Akers' leftovers out of the backfield, he doesn't offer the same upside for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Sep 21 2:30pm ET
Justin Herbert

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Chargers are optimistic quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) will be available for Sunday's game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. The signal-caller is battling a high-ankle sprain, which is never an easy injury for anyone. However, he's currently questionable, so there's still a chance he'll be out there after missing practice on Wednesday and Friday (and logging a limited session on Thursday). Herbert has played better than most expected through the first two contests of the 2024-25 campaign, throwing for 274 yards, three touchdowns, and one pick while completing 67.4% of his attempts. On the other hand, even if he's available, the injury could still impact his abilities on the field versus a capable Steelers defense. With that in mind, managers should consider another fantasy quarterback for Week 3. Herbert will test the ankle during warmups. But if he can't suit up, Easton Stick will presumably be under center. Unfortunately, Stick's presence may not be good news for Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. Yet, it may mean more rushing chances for J.K. Dobbins.

From RotoBaller

Wil Lutz Sep 21 2:10pm ET
Wil Lutz

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz should be on the waiver wire in all fantasy leagues, let alone anywhere near a starting lineup for Week 3 action. Through the first two weeks of the 2024 season, Lutz ranks as the No. 21 fantasy kicker despite being perfect on all of his kicks. He has made all five of his field-goal opportunities and is only extra-point attempt. The 30-year-old has been pretty reliable in his eight years in the NFL with an 85.5% success rate on his field-goal tries, but the problem is that Denver's offense is one of the worst in the league in the early going. They are averaging just 263 yards of total offense and 13 points a game with rookie quarterback Bo Nix under center. It's still early, so Nix and the Broncos' offense could improve as the season wears on, but based on what we've seen through the first two weeks, they just aren't giving Lutz enough tries to make him fantasy relevant.

From RotoBaller

Josh Reynolds Sep 21 2:00pm ET
Josh Reynolds

Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (Achilles) was on the Week 3 injury report but practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and will not carry a designation into Sunday's road contest versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Reynolds surprisingly leads Denver with 138 receiving yards on nine receptions (13 targets) through the first two weeks in his first year with the team, but that doesn't mean we're recommending him as a flex play this weekend. The Broncos offense, which is being led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix, has averaged just 13 points (fourth-fewest) and 263 yards (fifth-fewest) through their first two contests. Things should be slightly easier against Tampa's D on Sunday, but fantasy managers just shouldn't have much confidence in this offense at all. Rookie Devaughn Vele (ribs), who had eight targets in Week 1, is also returning after sitting out the Week 2 loss to the Steelers.

From RotoBaller

Cam Little Sep 21 1:30pm ET
Cam Little

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little is best left out of starting lineups in a Week 3 matchup with the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. The rookie kicker has put up seven points in each of the first two weeks. In a matchup between a good defense and a struggling offense, Little's upside is greatly limited. His best chance to reach double digit fantasy points is the Jaguars move the ball, but settle for field goals often, as it will likely be hard for the offense to score touchdowns on the Bills defense. The rookie has shown capable with a combination of range and accuracy, but plenty of NFL kickers offer that level of skill at the position with better matchups this week than Little. In a less than ideal matchup with the Bills, fantasy managers should be looking for other kicker options on the waiver wire in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Tommy Tremble Sep 21 1:30pm ET
Tommy Tremble

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (back, hamstring) doesn't carry an injury designation into the Week 3 contest at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Tremble missed the Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints before making his season debut in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, when he played two fewer snaps than rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders and caught three passes for 23 yards. The 24-year-old was limited in practice all week and is ready for his second game of the season. Tremble could see more snaps on offense this week as he's another week removed from his injuries, and he should have more upside now that veteran quarterback Andy Dalton is taking over for Bryce Young, but Tremble should still not be a realistic starting candidate for any fantasy managers in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Josh Allen Sep 21 1:20pm ET
Josh Allen

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense/special teams unit is not a smart play in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Josh Allen and the Bills offense have been great so far, with Allen's dual-threat ability and James Cook out of the backfield leading the way. The defense hasn't given up a lot of points through two weeks, where they faced the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns, but they haven't forced any turnovers and are middle of the pack with five sacks. Given Allen is hard to sack, they will have to rely on turnovers to muster a decent fantasy showing. With the Bills playing more conservative and running the ball more but still scoring plenty of points, it will be a tall task for the Jags to have much success on defense, both from a real life and a fantasy perspective. Look to the waiver wire for Week 3 to replace the Jaguars D/ST against the Bills.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Sep 21 1:20pm ET
Bryce Young

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (ankle) is listed as questionable for the Week 3 contest at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers after being limited in practice all week, but he's expected to suit up, according to The Athletic's Tashan Reed. In addition to Crosby being questionable, linebacker Divine Deablo (concussion, oblique) is out, while cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) is doubtful and defensive linemen Tyree Wilson (knee) and Christian Wilkins (knee) are questionable. Vegas' defense is a little beat up going into a smash spot against the 0-2 Panthers, who have already benched last year's first overall pick Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton under center. The Raiders defense/special teams unit is still a top-10 fantasy option this week, and Crosby needs to be locked into all starting IDP lineups.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Sep 21 1:10pm ET
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed on Saturday that wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) is good to go to make his 2024 debut in Week 3 on Monday night against the Washington Commanders. Higgins injured his hamstring in practice in the lead-up to the season-opener against the New England Patriots and was forced to sit the first two weeks. The 25-year-old is now recovered, though, and it doesn't sound like he'll be limited at all in his return to the lineup. It's bad news for any fantasy managers that were planning to start wideout Andrei Iosivas as a flex or tight end Mike Gesicki as a TE sleeper. In terms of Higgins' fantasy value, it's fair to temper expectations in his first game while coming off an injury, but he should at least garner WR4/flex attention against a Commanders defense that has allowed the most half-PPR fantasy points to receivers through the first two weeks.

From RotoBaller

Jeff Wilson Sep 21 1:10pm ET
Jeff Wilson

Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (oblique) was removed from the team's final injury report on Friday and will be active for the Week 3 contest on Sunday on the road at Lumen Field against the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson picked up a minor oblique injury in last Thursday's loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills and was limited in practice on Wednesday before being full go on Thursday and Friday. Raheem Mostert (chest) is doubtful to play this weekend, so both Wilson and rookie Jaylen Wright should see more touches behind De'Von Achane, albeit in an offense now being run by quarterback Skylar Thompson. With Mostert out in Week 2, Wilson played only 14% of the offensive snaps and caught both of his targets for 12 yards. Wright is the better long-term upside stash in deeper fantasy leagues, and Wilson won't be a starting option this Sunday, even with Mostert likely out again.

From RotoBaller

Christian Kirk Sep 21 12:50pm ET
Christian Kirk

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk has been a huge disappointment so far this season and may struggle to reverse his fortunes against the Buffalo Bills. Kirk has only managed one catch in each game -- a 30-yard catch in Week 1 and a one for a loss of a yard in Week 2. He seems to have fallen down the pecking order behind newcomers Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis and even had less targets than tight end Evan Engram's injury replacement Brenton Strange last week. Given Jacksonville's rough start on offense and the lack of a clear top receiver, it is worth keeping Kirk for now to see if he turns things around, but starting him in Week 3 would be an unwise move. Fantasy managers should wait until he shows any signs of fantasy life before putting him back in their flex spots. As a struggling receiver with a less-than-ideal matchup, it is best to keep Kirk on the bench against the Bills.

From RotoBaller