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Best Ball SCOUT 124
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 [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 4

Player Notes
Zack Moss Sep 29 7:40pm CT
Zack Moss

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss had 15 carries for 51 yards in Sunday's win over the Panthers. He added four catches for 27 yards and a touchdown. Although Chase Brown was much more involved than he had been all season, Moss still had an efficient fantasy showing in Week 5. With a touchdown in three of the Bengals' four games on the year, Moss remains at least a flex option for the AFC North clash with the Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Greg Zuerlein Sep 29 7:40pm CT
Greg Zuerlein

New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein made three of his four field goals in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Zuerlein provided all of the offense for the Jets on a rainy day in New Jersey in the close loss. The veteran kicker made field goals from 23, 35, and 40 yards out while missing on a 50-yard attempt late in the fourth quarter that would have given the Jets the lead. Zuerlein has struggled with his accuracy this season, missing on two of his seven field-goal attempts through four weeks. He will look to regroup ahead of a Week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in London.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Sep 29 7:40pm CT
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had another solid showing in Sunday's win over the Panthers. After finding the end zone twice in Week 3, the wideout scored again in Week 4. Although Tee Higgins was more productive from a volume standpoint, Chase still had 85 yards off his three catches. With the Bengals offense returning to form, the former LSU Tiger is obviously a lock for all fantasy lineups when Cincinnati meets Baltimore in Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Baker Mayfield Sep 29 7:40pm CT
Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield started off the season hot with a great performance in the season opener. After that, Mayfield and the Bucs hit a cold patch, but they found their footing on Sunday. Mayfield completed 30-of-47 passing attempts for 347 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions in the win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He also added a third touchdown to his total with a read-option end zone keeper. It will be a short week for the Bucs as they turn around with a Thursday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Fantasy managers can consider Mayfield a high-end QB2 for that one.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Sep 29 7:40pm CT
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) had another pedestrian game in a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert was listed as questionable all week with a high ankle sprain, but was able to play although clearly slowed by the injury. He ended up attempting 27 passes, completing 16 of them for 179 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked twice and fumbled once, but it was recovered by a teammate. He also "added" three carries, but totaled zero yards on the ground. Herbert's touchdown came on an outstanding throw and catch to rookie Ladd McConkey. The Chargers head into their Week 5 bye with a 2-2 record and Herbert will get a much needed week of rest before taking on the Broncos on the road in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Jacoby Brissett Sep 29 7:30pm CT
Jacoby Brissett

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett completed 19 of 32 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown, and one interception during a Week 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He also rushed for three yards and took six sacks behind a depleted offensive line. Furthermore, Brissett fumbled three times, with one of those fumbles being recovered by the defense. The veteran quarterback had not allowed a turnover through the first three games this season, but then he coughed up the football twice on Sunday. New England falls to 1-3 as buzz continues to grow for Drake Maye. For now, though, the offense still belongs to Brissett. He remains the Patriots' starting quarterback heading into a Week 5 clash with the ailing Miami Dolphins. Perhaps this favorable matchup next Sunday will be enough to get the Patriots back in the win column. However, Brissett is still off the fantasy radar given the Patriots' run-heavy approach on offense.

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Allen Lazard Sep 29 7:30pm CT
Allen Lazard

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard caught five of his eight targets for 58 yards in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Lazard wound up finishing second on the team in receiving yards while tying for the lead with his eight targets and five catches. The veteran has looked reinvigorated this season, having gone for at least 48 receiving yards in three of his four games while hauling in three touchdowns. Firmly established as a weekly flex option, Lazard will now get ready to take on the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Conklin Sep 29 7:30pm CT
Tyler Conklin

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin caught four of his eight targets for 17 yards in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Conklin ultimately didn't do much in the box score but his eight targets tied him with Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard for the team lead. Conklin has seen his target share tick up over the past two weeks, drawing 14 over that span as Aaron Rodgers has been looking his way often of late. Conklin will be on the fantasy radar as a TE2 heading into Week 5's London game against the Minnesota Vikings.

From RotoBaller

Mike Williams Sep 29 7:20pm CT
Mike Williams

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams caught four of his five targets for 67 yards in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Williams managed to lead the Jets in receiving yards despite finishing second on the team in catches and targets in the low-scoring loss to Denver. Williams has slowly gotten better each game this season as he did not record a target while playing sparingly in Week 1. Fantasy gamers should continue to be patient with Williams, who has yet to score a touchdown this season but has been a prominent part of the New York offense in the red zone. Williams will be on the fantasy radar as a flex option heading into Week 5's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in London.

From RotoBaller

Rashee Rice Sep 29 7:10pm CT
Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) will have an MRI on Monday after exiting Sunday's matchup with the Chargers. There hasn't been a firm update on the wideout's condition. However, with head coach Andy Reid indicating things don't look promising regarding Rice's condition, fantasy managers are already bracing for the worst, including what the team fears to be a torn ACL. It's unfortunate, considering he had 24 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the first three weeks of the 2024-25 campaign. Yet, with Rice's anticipated absence moving ahead, Skyy Moore, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce are in line to see more attention from Patrick Mahomes.

From RotoBaller

Braelon Allen Sep 29 7:10pm CT
Braelon Allen

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen carried the ball eight times for 34 yards and added a 12-yard catch in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Allen didn't post a great final stat line but he outproduced starter Breece Hall, who managed just four yards on 10 carries in the close loss to Denver. The rookie running back has been productive on a small workload thus far this season, going for at least 33 rushing yards in three of four games while scoring two touchdowns over that span. Allen has shown himself to be a talented NFL running back who should be treated as a high-end handcuff in fantasy moving forward. He will take on the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Garrett Wilson Sep 29 7:10pm CT
Garrett Wilson

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson caught five of his eight targets for 41 yards and lost a fumble in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Wilson and the Jets offense struggled on a rainy day, failing to score any touchdowns in the low-scoring loss. The veteran wide receiver wound up finishing third on the Jets in receiving yards despite tying for the team lead in targets and catches. Wilson has underwhelmed as Aaron Rodgers' No .1 receiver thus far this season, failing to top 60 receiving yards in a game and scoring just one touchdown on the year. Looking more like a fantasy WR2 instead of the WR1 he was drafted to be, Wilson will look to bounce back against the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Chase Brown Sep 29 7:00pm CT
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown had 15 carries for a team-high 80 yards in Sunday's win over the Carolina Panthers. He added two grabs for 12 yards. Brown wasn't relevant for fantasy managers throughout the first three weeks of the year. However, the 24-year-old had a big outing in Week 4, which also included two trips to the end zone. Zack Moss was still involved (and productive), so it remains to be seen if Brown will get opportunities to produce in Week 5 versus the Ravens. With that in mind, he deserves flex consideration for that one based on his performance on Sunday, although his presence in fantasy lineups is still risky.

From RotoBaller

Breece Hall Sep 29 7:00pm CT
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall carried the ball 10 times for four yards and caught two of his five targets for 14 yards in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. It was a rough afternoon for Hall and the rest of the New York offense as they were unable to cross the goal line at any point, instead settling for three field goals in the low-scoring loss. Hall's performance easily goes down as his worst of the season as he had found the end zone in each of his previous three contests before running into the Broncos on Sunday. The veteran running back will now begin preparations to take on the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5. Fantasy gamers should count on him to bounce back and deliver an RB1 performance for them in that matchup.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Sep 29 6:50pm CT
Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow finished Sunday's win over the Panthers by throwing for 232 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick off 22-for-31 passing. While the 2020 No. 1 overall pick wasn't as productive as in Week 3, he still did enough to lead the Bengals to their first victory of the 2024-25 campaign. His increase in production has also resulted in Ja'Marr Chase picking up his third touchdown of the year in Week 4. The Bengals will meet the Ravens in Week 5 in an AFC North clash. While Burrow and the Bengals offense could be tested, the signal-caller remains a starting fantasy option for that one.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Sep 29 6:50pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of his 42 passes for 225 yards while adding five carries for 26 yards in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Rodgers and the Jets had a tough time putting points on the board on a sloppy, rainy afternoon in New Jersey as they to the underdog Broncos. The veteran quarterback took five sacks and came up favoring his left leg after taking a sack in the fourth quarter, the same leg in which he had his Achilles tendon surgically repaired last year, but he told reporters after the game that he was fine. Rodgers has now thrown for five touchdowns and one interception through four games while leading the Jets to a 2-2 record. The veteran quarterback will now begin preparing to take on an exciting Minnesota Vikings offense in London in Week 5. He can be slotted in as a mid-range QB2 for that contest.

From RotoBaller

Terry McLaurin Sep 29 6:40pm CT
Terry McLaurin

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin caught seven of his 10 targets for 52 yards and a score as the Commanders dismantled the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. This was McLaurin's second straight game finding the end zone. The Ohio State product has put his slow start in the rearview mirror and he has begun to emerge as a solid WR2 in all formats. After catching just eight passes for 39 yards in the first two weeks, McLaurin has formed a strong connection with his rookie QB and has established himself as his go-to option. Fantasy managers should feel confident starting McLaurin in all formats next weekend against the Cleveland Browns.

From RotoBaller

Olamide Zaccheaus Sep 29 6:40pm CT
Olamide Zaccheaus

Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus led all Washington pass catchers with 85 yards on Sunday afternoon in their victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Zaccheaus caught all six of his targets, which were only second to Terry McLaurin (10 targets). This was a nice breakout performance for the 27-year-old, as he has caught just one pass through the first three weeks of action. Last week, he did not even see a target, and ran just four routes. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Zacchaeus's performance as he outperformed Noah Brown (26 yards) and rookie Luke McCaffrey (17 yards), who have typically been deployed as the No.2 and No.3 wideouts, respectively. Zaccheaus should remain on your waiver wire for now in standard leagues, but could be worth stashing in deeper 14+ team leagues.

From RotoBaller

Zach Ertz Sep 29 6:40pm CT
Zach Ertz

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz had a quiet day on Sunday afternoon even though the Commanders scored 42 points. The veteran tight end finished the day with just three catches (on three targets) for 22 yards. He also caught a two-point conversion late in the game. Ertz finished fourth on the team in receiving yards behind Terry McLaurin, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Noah Brown. This was also his lowest yard total of the season. Fantasy managers should not be overly concerned with Ertz as the Washington offense continued to move down the field all afternoon. The 33-year-old remains a low-end TE1 going forward, as he should still see stable production given that he will be on the field for most of the snaps despite this underwhelming Week 4 output.

From RotoBaller

Demarcus Robinson Sep 29 6:40pm CT
Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson had just two catches for 37 yards in Sunday's loss to the Bears. With Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) on the shelf, most assumed Robinson would benefit the most. However, that hasn't happened. Instead, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington have gotten more involved, with the duo combining for 10 grabs for 144 yards in Week 4. With that in mind, Robinson has worked his way out of the flex conversation for Week 5 versus the Packers. That won't change beyond Week 5 unless he turns things around.

From RotoBaller