10 unheralded players set to make major impact in Week 10

As we head into mid November, the stakes are pretty high for some teams around the NFL world. With injuries to core guys as well as teams having to rely on inexperienced youngsters, depth will continue to be tested as the season progresses.

From an offensive tackle in Oakland acting as a franchise guy to linebacker in Denver potentially being tasked with replacing a future Hall of Famer, here are 10 unheralded players set to make a major impact in Week 10.

1. Adrian Amos, safety, Chicago Bears

At 3-5 on the season, Chicago is pretty much out of the playoff race. This means that it's a good time for head coach John Fox and Co. to get a look at the youngsters. It's also a good time for us to check out said youngsters.

In Amos, the Bears have an in-the-box safety that's been among the most-impressive rookies at his position this season.

It's going to be a great test for the rookie on Sunday against a fellow first-year standout in St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley. While Amos has the ability to cover over the top, his primary task here will be to stick his nose in against the run. In that, the Bears will find out what they have in this youngster.

2. Donald Penn, offensive tackle, Oakland Raiders

Never really considered a franchise left tackle, this nine-year vet sure is playing like one in 2015. Anchoring a surprising Raiders offensive line that's allowed just eight sacks on the season, Penn has been among the best pass-protecting blindside tackles in the NFL.

Penn will find himself going up against Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen — one of the most underrated 4-3 defensive ends in the NFL. The newly extended veteran has racked up 17 quarterback hurries and four sacks in eight games this year.

If Penn can provide Derek Carr a clean pocket, the stellar second-year quarterback should have no problem continuing what has been a dominating performance over the past three games (11 touchdowns, one interception).

3. Delanie Walker, tight end, Tennessee Titans

Underrated since his days of backing up Vernon Davis in San Francisco, Walker finally got his shot to prove he can be a starter-caliber tight end in the NFL when he signed with Tennessee prior to the start of the 2013 season. Since then, he's been among the most productive pass-catching tight ends in the NFL.

Despite missing one game with an injury, Walker ranks sixth among NFL tight ends in receptions (42) and sixth in receiving yards (456). He's also caught 81 percent of the passes thrown in his direction on the year with just one dropped pass on 52 targets.

Last week saw Walker put up seven receptions, 95 yards and two scores in an impressive 34-28 win over the New Orleans Saints. He now takes on a stout Carolina Panthers defense that has allowed less than 400 receiving yards to tight ends on the year.

If Walker can provide that consistent target for rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota, it would go a long way in helping the Titans win consecutive games for the first time since December of 2013.

4. Kirk Cousins, quarterback, Washington Redskins

Needless to say, Cousins' inclusion in this article makes little sense. He's among the worst regular starting quarterbacks in the NFL, as evidenced by the 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions he's put up in eight starts this season.

This is more about the joke of a unit the New Orleans Saints are throwing out there on a consistent basis — a unit that barely qualifies as a defense.

Over the course of their past two games, the Saints have yielded an average of 444 yards, 33 points and a ridiculous 25 first downs. That's Arena Football League stuff right there.

At 3-5 on the season and with the New York Giants taking on an undefeated New England Patriots squad, Washington could actually pull to within one game of the division lead with a win on Sunday. However improbable that might be, Cousins could help propel the Redskins into the division race.

5.  Shaquil Barrett, linebacker, Denver Broncos

We had Barrett in this article a few weeks ago. He responded by putting up two sacks and five quarterback hurries in an impressive performance against the Cleveland Browns.

This second-year undrafted free agent from Colorado State will likely now start in DaMarcus Ware's stead Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

In just 233 snaps this season, Barrett has put up 10 quarterback hurries, four sacks and three more quarterback hits. This is good enough for Pro Football Focus to actually grade Barrett out as the 11th-best 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.

Ware may be a future Hall of Famer, but this doesn't seem to be a major downgrade from a pass-rush standpoint. And if Barrett is able to continue his stellar play, Denver may very well find a way to rebound from last week's loss.

6. Whitney Mercilus, linebacker, Houston Texans

With Jadeveon Clowney injured, the Texans are going to have to rely on this former first-round pick to get the job done against an elite-level Cincinnati Bengals offensive line on Monday — an offensive line that's allowed just 11 sacks in eight games.

The good news here for Texans fans is that Mercilus should be more than up for the task. After putting up six sacks in his past three outings, the Illinois product has finally found his way after struggling through three average seasons.

Mercilus will likely see himself lined up against a tackle in Andrew Whitworth who has been among the best players at his position this year. In fact, the Bengals left tackle has not even allowed a single hit on Andy Dalton this year.

With Houston looking to tie the Indianapolis Colts atop the AFC South this week, Mercilus could play a huge role against an undefeated Bengals team.

7. Stephone Anthony, linebacker, New Orleans Saints

Just how hard must it be to start on one of the league's worst defenses and be asked to progress as a rookie? That's the situation Anthony is facing this year on a 31st-ranked Saints defense. Though, the first round pick — acquired with the selection New Orleans received for Jimmy Graham — has improved a ton throughout the year.

The Clemson product has tallied a team-high 61 tackles with an incredible 30 stops through eight games. This means that half of his tackles have resulted in a failure for the offensive team. That's right up there with the top inside linebackers in the NFL.

Equally as important, New Orleans isn't taking Anthony out in specific situations. He's one of only six inside linebackers to have played 600-plus snaps on the season Whether that's out of necessity doesn't matter. It's still rather impressive.

8. Damarious Randall, cornerback, Green Bay Packers

Yet another impressive rookie first-round pick, Randall will likely see himself lined up against Golden Tate when the Detroit Lions come to Lambeau on Sunday.

If he's able to shut down the Lions' No. 2 receiver, it will lead to Matthew Stafford forcing the ball Calvin Johnson's way — something that has led to a lack of success over the years.

Thus far this season, Randall has allowed a 48 percent completion rate with two touchdowns and two picks when targeted. Those are all team-best numbers for an improved Packers secondary.

9. Cole Beasley, wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys

After catching exactly zero passes in his past two games, Beasley put up a remarkable performance in a near-win against the Philadelphia Eagles last week. He came down with nine of the 11 passes thrown in his direction for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

If Beasley can keep up anywhere near this level of production, especially when Tony Romo returns, it will be huge for the fledgling Cowboys. However, Sunday's game represents a must win for a team that's lost six consecutive. In this, Beasley can't wait for his star quarterback to return. He needs to produce now.

Lined up in the slot for a majority of the season, Beasley will be going up against a veteran corner in Alterraun Verner who has played pretty good football for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as of late. While we can't expect a repeat performance of last week, the hope for the Cowboys is that Beasley is able to provide Matt Cassel with a solid No. 2 option behind Dez Bryant.

10. Blake Bortles, quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars

How can a top-10 pick at the quarterback position be considered "unheralded?" First off, play quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Secondly, do so for a team that's won 11 games since the start of the 2012 season. That's how.

Bortles may be struggling with turnovers (six interceptions past three games), but he's putting up some huge numbers. The second-year quarterback is currently on pace for 4,400 passing yards and 34 touchdowns, both of which would be franchise records.

Despite their 2-6 start to the season, Jacksonville is just one game behind the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans in the loss column in the AFC South. A win here, and it would be firmly in the playoff race heading into Week 11.

The good news for the Jags is that they are going up against a Baltimore Ravens defense that ranks 29th in the NFL against the pass and is allowing nearly 27 points per game.

Check out Vincent's other work on eDraft.com and follow him on Twitter @VincentFrankNFL