Fantasy Football: Players To Watch in Week 17 for Next Season

Week 17 is not used in most fantasy leagues because some playoff teams rest their starters, and non-playoff teams audition backups. This is exactly the reason you should still have fantasy football in mind when you watch the games this weekend.

Preseason can be helpful, but a regular-season game will always show more about a player’s ability to compete in the NFL.

Here are four players who could be in starting roles next year with either a new team or their current squad. Now is the time to give them the eye test of valuation.

Matt Flynn, GB QB

This will be the best (and maybe only) chance to see Flynn play a regular-season game before he changes uniforms.

Flynn will be a free agent after the season, and he would love to increase his value with a good showing against Detroit in Week 17. 

Tom Brady’s former backup, Matt Cassel, had nearly a full season of starting experience (due to Brady's injury) when he was franchised and traded from New England to Kansas City prior to the 2009 season.

But if Flynn can wow on Sunday, a similar demand could be in place for his services this offseason, making him a draftable fantasy QB.

Kahlil Bell, Chi RB

There's a scenario where Kahlil Bell is a starter in Chicago next year, but it isn’t likely.

The Bears will want to keep offensive focal point Matt Forte. Forte wants a huge payday—and deservedly so.

However, Bell has shown potential to both run and catch balls out of the backfield in the past three weeks. If the Bears don’t keep him around, he’ll get looks from other teams in a Darren Sproles-type role.

As the Bears collapse kept them out of the playoffs, your last chance to see Bell at regular-season speed before next year will be Week 17 against the Vikings.

Kendall Hunter, SF RB

The 49ers drafted Hunter in last year’s draft as a change-of-pace back and relief for Frank Gore.

Gore, at 28, is falling out of the prime years we see from most running backs. Gore has also battled injuries the past two years and has played in all 16 team games only once in his seven-year career.

Hunter won’t be the full-time starter next year with Gore around, but he could see a significant increase in playing time and carries. Hunter has averaged 4.1 yards per carry and 13.1 yards per reception this season.

Keep an eye on Hunter this week against the Rams.

With a first-round bye on the line for the Niners, we could see a good indication from coach Jim Harbaugh on his view and trust of Hunter.

Toby Gerhart, Min RB

The severity of Adrian Peterson’s injury is the reason Toby Gerhart is a player to watch on Sunday.

His fantasy draft value in 2012 will increase significantly if Peterson struggles to make it back from his torn ACL and MCL injuries in time for the start of the 2012 season.

Much like Oakland’s Michael Bush, Gerhart is a backup who could start on other teams. He could be a top-15 fantasy back if he's starting early in the season next year.

Of course, where you draft him will depend upon the timetable of Peterson’s return and how you rate this year's staring performances, including Week 17.