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FFL: Week 5 | NFL: Week 5

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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Player Notes
Trey McBride Oct 3 6:10pm CT
Trey McBride

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (concussion) was able to log a full practice session on Thursday after he was limited to begin the week on Wednesday. McBride suffered a concussion in the Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions and was held out for the Week 4 loss to the Washington Commanders. With a full practice under his belt this week, it looks as though McBride is well on his way to clearing the league's concussion protocol in time to play this Sunday against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. In his first three games of the season in his third year in the NFL, McBride has been a big part of the team's passing attack, catching 14 of 21 targets for 122 yards, although he has yet to find the end zone. This weekend will be a difficult matchup on the road against a stout Niners defense, but McBride should be considered a top-five fantasy tight end if he gets the green light to suit up.

From RotoBaller

Matt Prater Oct 3 6:10pm CT
Matt Prater

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (knee) is dealing with a left-knee injury that kept him out of his second straight practice this week on Thursday. Prater is now firmly in danger of missing the Week 5 divisional tilt on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals signed Chad Ryland to their practice squad on Wednesday, further signaling that they are worried about Prater's ability to kick this weekend. Prater is the No. 19 fantasy kicker through the first four weeks of the 2024 NFL campaign, so it's not like he was coming into this week really on the fantasy radar of managers in standard 12-team leagues. The 40-year-old has made all six of his field-goal attempts and all 10 of his extra-point tries, but the Cardinals offense so far has been too inconsistent to make Prater a viable fantasy kicking option on a weekly basis.

From RotoBaller

Evan Engram Oct 3 5:50pm CT
Evan Engram

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) was limited in the team's practice for the second day in a row this week on Thursday. Engram suffered a hamstring injury during pre-game warmups before the team's Week 2 loss to the Cleveland Browns and hasn't played since. However, with two limited practices under his belt this week, he's at least given himself a chance to return in Week 5 against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday for his official status, but there's a good chance the 30-year-old will be considered questionable going into Sunday's game. He'll be on the TE1/2 borderline if he returns to the field this weekend after catching just one pass for five yards in Week 1. Brenton Strange has been a serviceable TE2 the last three weeks with Engram out, catching eight of 14 targets for 96 yards and one touchdown.

From RotoBaller

Gabriel Davis Oct 3 5:50pm CT
Gabriel Davis

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant yet again on Thursday. Davis has yet to practice in full this week, but nothing is pointing to him being in danger of missing the Week 5 divisional contest against the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in all four of the team's games in his first year with Jacksonville and has underwhelmed, catching just nine of his 21 targets for 121 yards and no touchdowns. Davis' worst performance came in last week's loss to the division-rival Houston Texans, when he caught one of five targets for a loss of two yards. He's been disappointing, to say the least, especially with tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) missing the last three games. As the No. 3 wideout behind Christian Kirk and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. in a struggling offense, it's hard to recommend Davis as anything more than a boom/bust, WR5/flex.

From RotoBaller

Travis Etienne Oct 3 5:40pm CT
Travis Etienne

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (shoulder) remained limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Fellow RB Tank Bigsby (shoulder) was also limited for a second straight day. Etienne injured his shoulder in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans but later returned to the game, although he ceded seven carries to Bigsby, who picked up a season-high 90 yards. The 25-year-old Etienne's status doesn't appear to be in question for another divisional matchup in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts, but his fantasy value could be in trouble if the Jags decide to start getting Bigsby more involved in the backfield. Bigsby has averaged an impressive 8.2 yards per carry through four games. As of now, fantasy managers should plan to start Etienne as an RB2 as the Jags look for their first victory of 2024.

From RotoBaller

Juwan Johnson Oct 3 5:30pm CT
Juwan Johnson

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (forearm) was listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week on Thursday. Johnson's status carries a little more importance this week with tight end Taysom Hill (rib) dealing with rib fractures. Hill did not practice on Thursday and appears to be questionable to suit up on Monday night for a showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson could pick up an injury designation himself going into Monday's game, but he also has two more days to put in a full session, which could get him cleared. The 28-year-old would surely have more opportunities to catch passes from quarterback Derek Carr if Hill is ruled out this week, but he'd still be nothing more than a TE2 sleeper for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Johnson has caught only four passes on six targets for 39 yards and one touchdown through the season's first four games.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Oct 3 5:20pm CT
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) was listed on the first injury report of Week 5 but he was able to put in a full practice and should be just fine to play on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. In addition to Olave, receivers A.T. Perry (hamstring) was limited, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ankle) practiced in full. It's worth noting for Olave, but his hamstring shouldn't limit him at all for a showdown with the defending Super Bowl champions. The 24-year-old got off to a slow start in Week 1 but has now gone over 80 receiving yards in each of the last three games. He had eight catches on 10 targets for 87 yards in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. New Orleans figures to have to throw the ball plenty against KC on the road on Monday night, making Olave a good bet for solid production for his fantasy managers again. He's a solid WR2 in Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Blake Grupe Oct 3 5:20pm CT
Blake Grupe

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe (hip) is dealing with a right-hip injury and was unable to take part in the first practice of the week on Thursday. Grupe's status for the Week 5 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night is now in question, but he still has two more days to get back onto the practice field. If Grupe cannot get back on the practice field in the next two days, the Saints could call up Charlie Smyth from the practice squad to serve as their kicker on Monday night. Through four weeks in 2024, Grupe checks in as the No. 5 fantasy kicker, having made all eight of his field-goal attempts and 13 of his 14 extra-point tries in a much-improved Saints offense. Fantasy managers might need to pivot at the kicking position in Week 5 if Grupe is out or listed as questionable for Monday's contest.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Oct 3 5:10pm CT
George Kittle

For the second straight day this week, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ribs) was not participating in practice on Thursday. Kittle was seen in full gear on a side field. Kittle missed Week 3 with a hamstring injury but returned in the Week 4 win over the New England Patriots and caught a touchdown pass, but two DNPs to begin the week put him back up in the air to suit up for a Week 5 tilt against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. The 30-year-old is probably going to need to put in some work at practice on Friday to have a shot at playing this weekend. It's a bit surprising that he has missed two practices after head coach Kyle Shanahan called him day-to-day earlier in the week. If Kittle is active, he's a must-start TE1 in fantasy. If he's limited or out, tight end Eric Saubert would have a bigger role again, although that led to just two catches for 41 yards in Week 3 when Kittle was sidelined. Check back on Friday for Kittle's designation for Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Oct 3 5:10pm CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (hip, ribs) remains on the injury report for Week 5 and put in a limited practice on Thursday. Kamara was also limited before the Week 4 contest against the Atlanta Falcons but ended up playing and saw 26 touches for 119 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown. Unless he's downgraded at practice in the next few days, Kamara should be just fine to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football to close out Week 5 action. The 29-year-old has exceeded expectations through the first four weeks in the Saints' new offense and has been the RB1 in half-PPR scoring with 80 carries for 362 yards and five touchdowns, adding 17 receptions for 174 yards and another score. As long as he doesn't have a setback with his injuries later this week, Kamara should remain locked into lineups as a must-start.

From RotoBaller

Rashee Rice Oct 3 4:13pm CT
Rashee Rice

Dynasty | The Chiefs have placed wide receiver Rashee Rice on injured reserve. Dynasty Analysis: Rice will miss at least the next four weeks with a knee injury and the Chiefs are still waiting for the swelling to subside to see if he'll be out for the year. Chances are Rice has torn his ACL, but that hasn't been confirmed as of yet. Regardless, dynasty managers need to make alternate plans as Rice isn't going to be anywhere near fantasy lineups for a while, as expected.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Kareem Hunt Oct 3 4:00pm CT
Kareem Hunt

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (shoulder) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Hunt's status before their game on Monday evening against the New Orleans Saints, but seeing him on the practice field this early in the week suggests the injury is not serious. The 29-year-old logged a team-high 14 carries in his season debut last weekend. No. 2 running back Samaje Perine logged only five carries, which implies that Hunt should be viewed as the lead runner for the time being. With Isiah Pacheco (leg) on Injured Reserve, Hunt could become a solid flex play going forward if he continues to have a prominent role in the Kansas City offense.

From RotoBaller

Luke Musgrave Oct 3 3:50pm CT
Luke Musgrave

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) remained sidelined during practice for the second straight day, according to Jason B. Hirschhorn. This is not a good sign for Musgrave, as he has just one more opportunity to log a practice before Sunday's game. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report as Musgrave will likely carry a designation into the weekend. The 24-year-old has taken a step back this season as Tucker Kraft has emerged as Green Bay's No.1 tight end. Musgrave has caught just five passes over the first four weeks compared to Kraft's 12. If Musgrave misses Sunday's game, Kraft should be viewed as a TE1 with upside, as he should have plenty of opportunities facing a weak Los Angeles Rams defense.

From RotoBaller

Kendre Miller Oct 3 3:40pm CT
Kendre Miller

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) returned to practice for the first time this season on Thursday, according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times. Miller has been on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury since the beginning of the season, as he missed most of training camp. In his rookie campaign last fall, Miller carried the ball only 41 times for 156 yards and a score. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Miller's progress through the week, as he could make his season debut on Monday evening. When Miller does return, he should be expected to split time with Jamaal Williams as the No.2 option out of the backfield while Alvin Kamara sees the majority of opportunities.

From RotoBaller

Taysom Hill Oct 3 3:30pm CT
Taysom Hill

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) has rib fractures and was held out of Thursday's practice, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Head coach Dennis Allen did not explain any detail regarding the severity of the injury, but this will now jeopardize Hill's status for Monday's game. The 34-year-old was previously sidelined in Week 3 due to a bruised lung. However, before suffering the rib injury last weekend, Hill was able to find the end zone twice on six rushing attempts. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Hill's status over the weekend in case he can suit up. If not, Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau should see the majority of snaps at the tight end position.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Love Oct 3 3:20pm CT
Jordan Love

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) logged a full practice on Thursday, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. The 25-year-old returned to the field last weekend after missing two games with a knee injury. In his return, Love went 32-for-54 with 389 passing yards and four scores. Even though Love was limited on Wednesday, seeing him log a full practice on Thursday suggests the team was being cautious with their franchise quarterback. Fantasy managers should monitor Friday's practice report in case Love faces a setback but should plan on locking him in all lineups this weekend as he faces a weak Los Angeles Rams defense.

From RotoBaller

Rashee Rice Oct 3 3:10pm CT
Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) was placed on the injured reserve on Thursday afternoon. The sophomore wideout suffered a knee injury last weekend and was initially feared to have torn his ACL. However, the team has yet to confirm the severity of the injury and plans to continue to perform tests to see its extent. This move to the IR will sideline the 24-year-old for at least the next four weeks. Fantasy managers should continue to follow any updates regarding his status for the remainder of the season. Before the injury, Rice continued his strong finish to his rookie season, averaging 21.6 PPR points across the first three weeks. Fantasy managers should expect Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, and tight end Travis Kelce to see a drastic uptick in targets while Rice remains sidelined.

From RotoBaller

Romeo Doubs Oct 3 3:10pm CT
Romeo Doubs

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (personal) did not practice on Thursday due to personal reasons, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal. Silverstein further reported that the team is taking it "day-to-day" regarding Doubs' status for Sunday's game. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any updates regarding Doubs during Friday's practice, as they should provide clarity on his status during the weekend. The Packers will likely be without Christian Watson (ankle) this weekend, as he suffered a high ankle sprain last week and has yet to return to practice. If the Packers are without both Watson and Doubs this weekend, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks could be in store for a high volume of targets in a favorable matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller

Zaire Franklin Oct 3 3:03pm CT
Zaire Franklin

Indianapolis Colts C Ryan Kelly (neck), CB Kenny Moore II (hip), DE Kwity Paye (quad) and RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) did not practice on Thursday, Oct. 3. QB Anthony Richardson (oblique) was limited. LB Zaire Franklin (illness), OT Braden Smith (knee) and LB Grant Stuard (heel) practiced in full.

From TheHuddle

Jadeveon Clowney Oct 3 2:43pm CT
Jadeveon Clowney

Carolina Panthers LB Josey Jewell (hamstring, groin), LB Shaq Thompson (Achilles), C Andrew Raym (concussion), RB Miles Sanders (illness), WR Jalen Coker (foot), TE Tommy Tremble (knee) and OT Taylor Moton (rest) did not practice on Thursday, Oct. 3. WR Diontae Johnson (ankle), LB Charles Harris (shoulder), OG Robert Hunt (hip), OG Damien Lewis (elbow), S Nick Scott (shoulder), DT Shy Tuttle (foot), CB Lonnie Johnson (hip), TE Ian Thomas (calf) and CB Dane Jackson (hamstring) were limited. DE Jadeveon Clowney (rest), CB Troy Hill (rest) and DE A'Shawn Robinson (rest) practiced in full.

From TheHuddle