Fantasy Football Week 17: Friday's Daily Fantasy Market Report

At the beginning of the week, it was made clear that this was the worst week in fantasy football (in my opinion), and these ever-so-continuous playing-time fluctuations among players on different teams prove just that.

Between players not practicing and the teams having no motivation to play them, players being put on injured reserve and teams with nothing to play for, you may have to start me this week at quarterback in DFS.

And hey, while I can throw the ball a quarter-mile (or is that Uncle Rico?), my shoulder is still recovering from labrum surgery.

So, a potential alternative could be Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch (who we'll discuss in a later slide).

Running back is looking increasingly volatile this week—I wish LaDainian Tomlinson could come out of retirement for one week.

Well, let's talk some crazy football stuff and go nuts in the last week of the NFL regular season.

No, I cannot believe it is already here.

Browns QB Robert Griffin III Expected to Start Week 17

Aaron Josefczyk/Associated Press

After suffering a concussion in Week 16, Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III has been cleared and is expected to start in Week 17, barring a setback, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

On a non-fantasy note, Week 17 could be RG3's last chance to show the Browns brass and head coach Hue Jackson that he is the man for the job in 2017 and beyond.

With two first-round selections in the upcoming 2017 NFL draft, the Browns could very well use one of them on a quarterback. To this point, the Browns have no reason to keep RG3.

Speaking of that, that leads into my fantasy analysis for this predicament.

The Browns have a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, and they're set to play their reserves in a meaningless game.

Unfortunately for RG3, most of those notable reserves come on the offensive side of the ball.

With just one game remaining in the season, RG3 has thrown zero touchdown passes.

I'm not touching the Browns this week. Forget them.

Broncos QB Paxton Lynch Will Play in Week 17

Gary McCullough/Associated Press

With the season finale on the horizon and no playoff aspirations to play for, the Denver Broncos are opting to let their 2016 first-round draft pick, quarterback Paxton Lynch, get some work in during Week 17, according to Mike Klis of 9News.

I'll put it bluntly and move past it: Lynch has not been good in his few outings this season.

With that, it makes it impossible to play anyone on the Broncos this week.

A few weeks ago when the Broncos were on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders did virtually nothing, but did see eight targets.

I'm concerned with the value of the entire team, with this game likely be split into halves for Lynch and incumbent starting quarterback Trevor Siemian.

Jets RBs Matt Forte, Bilal Powell and Brandon Wilds DNP Thursday

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Let me guess, you're thinking two things right now: "Who the hell is Brandon Wilds" and "who the hell is Brandon Burks?"

First of all, um, no need to say that word—only I can—and secondly, let me introduce you to them quickly.

Wilds: signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, later cut and scooped up eventually by the New York Jets.

Burks: signed as an undrafted free agent by the Green Bay Packers in 2016, later cut and scooped up eventually by the New York Jets.

There are lots of similarities between these two men—both UDFAs, both cut, both picked up by the Jets and both named Brandon.

Why are they important?

Well, according to Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday, Jets running backs Matt Forte and Bilal Powell did not practice Thursday, casting doubt to their Week 17 availability.

That leaves Wilds and Burks in Week 17 should they both sit.

But wait—there's more: Wilds, according to Rotoworld, did not practice Thursday either.

So, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I present you, the Jets possible starting (and only) running back for Week 17: Mr. Burks.

Even if you wanted to play him on say, you know, DraftKings, he's not even in the player pool.

Gotta love Week 17.

Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell DNP Thursday

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

According to Phil Perry of CSNNE, New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell did not practice Thursday due to a knee injury.

Although the Patriots are playing to secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC, it's not looking good for Mitchell to suit up this week. However, the Patriots do love to put everyone on the injury report and do funky things when it comes to injuries.

If Mitchell is unable to play, expect a heavy boost in value and playing time to Michael Floyd, who could use the reps as the Patriots prepare for postseason action against the Miami Dolphins.

Mitchell will need to practice Friday, but if he doesn't, Floyd is not a bad, low-priced option.

Vikings WR Stefon Diggs, RB Adrian Peterson DNP Thursday

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, both Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Adrian Peterson did not practice Thursday.

Being totally out of the playoff picture after a hot start to the season, it's looking like both of these guys will not play in Week 17, setting up for another great week from fellow Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen.

More on Thielen: he's a stud, so I'd play him regardless.

At running back, the Vikings have been a wasteland this season and AP's future with the Vikings is definitely at risk.

Play Thielen, avoid the backfield. Simple as that.

Bengals RB Jeremy Hill Expected to Miss Week 17

Frank Victores/Associated Press

Well, this is a bummer.

To conclude a disappointing season for the Cincinnati Bengals, it sounds like they are set to be without their starting running back, Jeremy Hill, according to Bob Holtzman of ESPN.com.

Going up against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17, the Bengals will turn to fellow running back Rex Burkhead as their leading man—not exactly the greatest consolation prize, but hey, it is what it is.

Burkhead could provide sneaky value in the passing game, but it will be tough for him to run on the Ravens and their No. 1 DVOA rating against the run.

If you were considering Burkhead in DFS this week, only do so on DraftKings or other DFS sites that gives points for receptions.

Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart, TE Greg Olsen DNP Thursday

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

After failing to reach the playoffs the year after making it all the way to the Super Bowl with a 15-1 record, the Carolina Panthers could be without two of their main pieces on offense in Week 17.

According to David Newton of ESPN.com, Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart and tight end Greg Olsen missed practice Thursday due to foot and elbow injuries, respectively.

Behind Stewart is Cameron Artis-Payne, and should Olsen sit out, the Panthers will look to Ed Dickson at tight end.

Not that it matters when analyzing the fantasy value of Artis-Payne and Dickson, but the Panthers are on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Should you play Dickson or Artis-Payne? Yeah...yeah...I'm going to go with no.

Hopefully the Panthers can get through the finale without any more injuries.

Lions RB Theo Riddick DNP Thursday

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Throughout Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick's absence these past few weeks, the Lions backfield has been nothing to rave about with the exception of Week 16.

Playing in 76 percent of the teams' snaps, Lions running back Zach Zenner averaged over five yards per carry and scored two touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys.

This is great news, because it's looking like Zenner will be the lead again in Week 17 after Riddick missed yet another practice due to a lingering wrist injury, according to Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official team site.

Going up against the Green Bay Packers for the division title, the Lions are motivated to play all their best players, but I'm worried the Lions will ultimately turn to the passing game considering they're facing that Aaron Rodgers guy. 

With just 16 targets all season, this is not an area Zenner excels in.

Cowboys QB Mark Sanchez, RB Darren McFadden Expected to Get Most of the Reps

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

It sounds like we could be in for a much different looking Dallas Cowboys team in Week 17 than we're accustomed to seeing.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, expect quarterback Mark Sanchez and running back Darren McFadden to get the majority of the work at their respective positions this week.

Please excuse me while I cross out the entire Cowboys roster from my DFS player pool this week.

Fourteen carries for 49 yards in Week 16 doesn't get me excited about McFadden against their next opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles—sorry.

And Sanchez? Just stop.

Texans RB Lamar Miller DNP Thursday

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller missed practice again Thursday due to an ankle injury.

If there were some way to blame Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler for this, I would, but sadly, I cannot.

Miller is toast for this week. And fellow running backs Alfred Blue and Akeem Hunt against the Tennessee Titans?

Thanks, but no thanks.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Football Outsiders.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.