10 unheralded NFL players set to make major impact in Week 9

It could be due to injuries to starters or players just not performing at a high clip, but it seems that this season has been defined by under-the-radar players stepping up for their respective clubs.

From a running back in Atlanta taking advantage of an opportunity after an injury to the team's starter to a rookie wide receiver in Minnesota putting up historical early career numbers, there have been a whole bunch of solid performances from unheralded players.

This won't change during Week 9 of the NFL season.

We have a new head coach in Tennessee — something that could lead to standout performances from a couple young skill-position players. We are also going to get a firsthand look of a former Pro Bowl tight end suiting up with his new team for the first time.

Those are among the 10 unheralded players set to make a major impact in Week 9.

1. Dorial Green-Beckham, wide receiver, Tennessee Titans

There seems to be an effort within the Titans revamped coaching staff to get this rookie more involved in the offense, something that former head coach Ken Whisenhunt seemed to be a proponent for.

"He (Green-Beckham) is going to get more playing time. He’s got to because of the injury for Kendall (Wright). This is going to be a big game for him to have a chance to show up," interim head coach Mike Mularkey said. "And we are going to need him, not just in the passing game but in run blocking.”

With Wright out of action, the Titans will definitely need this 6-foot-5, 237-pound pass catcher to step up. Through eight weeks, the second-round pick has tallied just seven receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns.

Taking on a New Orleans Saints defense that ranks 29th against the pass, this week is a prime opportunity for the receiver to step up for fellow rookie Marcus Mariota.

2. Ronnie Hillman, running back, Denver Broncos

After scoring two touchdowns in his first start of the season last week, Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak indicated that Hillman will start again Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Kubiak: "Ronnie will start the game, just like he did last week. I see them (Hillman and Anderson) both as 1s." pic.twitter.com/8szgGNSPZj — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 5, 2015

While there are some concerns over a thigh injury that that has Hillman questionable for Sunday's game, he's likely going to be good to go.

Denver may view C.J. Anderson as a potential handcuff to Hillman, but there's going to come a time here soon where he just takes a seat on the bench. As to where Hillman is averaging 4.5 yards per rush this season, Anderson is coming in at a full yard less per.

Look for an increased role for Hillman this week against the Indianapolis Colts in a game that could set into motion him being the team's primary ball carrier moving forward.

3. Derrick Shelby, defensive end, Miami Dolphins

With Cameron Wake lost for the season, someone is going to have to step up from a pass-rush standpoint for the Dolphins. After all, Wake has racked up seven of the 13 sacks for Miami thus far this season.

The one player that seems capable of doing this is this fourth-year player from Utah. Shelby has yet to tally a sack on the season, but he does have 12 quarterback hurries and grades out as the 12th-best pass-rushing 4-3 defensive end in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

Taking on a Buffalo Bills team that's on pace to allow 46 sacks on the season, it's going to be important for Shelby to get to Tyrod Taylor on a consistent basis on Sunday.

4. Denico Autry, defensive end, Oakland Raiders

Watching tape of the Raiders blowout win over the New York Jets last week, one thing stood out to me above everything else. While Oakland's offense is on the verge of becoming a juggernaut, it has some darn good young players on the other side of the ball.

Most of the talk surrounds all-everything second-year linebacker Khalil Mack. Up-and-coming corner T.J. Carrie also gets some solid play. Though, this second-year player from Mississippi State is stepping up big time.

Putting up a stout overall performance against the run last week, he was one of the primary reasons Chris Ivory was held to 17 yards on 15 attempts. Autry also added five tackles and a sack in the best performance of his career.

Taking on a Pittsburgh Steelers team that's without Le'Veon Bell for the remainder of the season, Oakland has an opportunity to dominate in the trenches. That starts with veteran Dan Williams as well as this rapidly progressing youngster.

5. Jason Verrett, cornerback, San Diego Chargers

Verrett entered the NFL with a ton of fanfare as a rookie last season. Unfortunately, he missed the final 10 games of the campaign and struggled to an extent early on this year. Those struggles have since been eliminated, as Verrett is playing at a Pro Bowl level for the Chargers.

The numbers may not show it, but this Texas Christian prospect continues to be among the best young corners in the NFL in terms of on-ball ability and pressing receivers at the line. With this comes some breakdowns here and there, but that's to be expected from a player with just 13 NFL games under his belt.

Going up against a receiver in Alshon Jeffery that has caught 18 passes for 263 yards and two scores over the past two games, it's going to be important for Verrett to be on his game Monday night. Look for a breakout performance of some kind in front of a nationally televised audience.

6. Mike Harris, guard, Minnesota Vikings

Heading into the season, Minnesota's offensive line was considered a tremendous question mark. The team lost starting right tackle Phil Loadholt for the season back in August and left tackle Matt Kalil was coming off two consecutive substandard seasons.

Heck, starting center John Sullivan is likely out for the remainder of the year after missing the first eight weeks.

While Teddy Bridgewater does currently find himself on pace to be sacked 46 times on the season, Harris has been one of the few bright spots on this unit. The fourth-year pro from UCLA has manned the right guard position at a near elite level this season, making up for the struggles of left guard Brandon Fusco and rookie right tackle T.J. Clemmings.

In seven games this year, Harris has allowed a total of one quarterback hit and zero sacks. In this, he's been among the best pass-protecting guards in the NFL. That's going to be key Sunday against an interior of a St. Louis Rams defensive line that's among the best in the game right now.

7. Jeremy Mincey, defensive end, Dallas Cowboys

Unheralded throughout his nine-year career, Mincey has continued to prove himself to be a stout pass rusher. Last season in Dallas, the veteran tallied six sacks. It was his most in a season since putting up eight for the Jacksonville Jaguars back in 2011.

While Mincey has yet to get to the quarterback for a sack this year, he's consistently found himself in the offensive backfield — racking up double-digit hurries through seven games.

With the Philadelphia Eagles likely to focus a great deal on Greg Hardy (should he actually play), Mincey will see a ton of one-on-one blocking. That's a sign that he should put up a breakout performance on Sunday night.

8. Antonio Andrews, running back, Tennessee Titans

New Titans head coach Mike Mularkey didn't waste any time setting rather high expectations for this second-year running back:

Mularkey: Antonio Andrews is the workhorse right now at running back. — Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) November 4, 2015

This makes sense considering just how bad the Titans rushing attack has been thus far this season. Outside of Andrews, Titans' running backs have gone for 401 yards on the season. Andrews himself has gained 279 total yards and two touchdowns on 62 touches.

If he's given the keys to the running game, this 225-pound bulldozer of a back could very well prove to be the team's future at this position. At 1-6 on the season, there's no reason not to give him a shot. That's what it appears like the Titans are going to do moving forward.

9. Vernon Davis, tight end, Denver Broncos

Less than a week after being acquired from the San Francisco 49ers, this former Pro Bowl tight end will see action in an offense that has been missing production from this position. While it might take some time for Davis to get acclimated, the presence of Peyton Manning under center is going to help big time. In fact, I expect Davis to see a nice amount of targets against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Davis is an interesting story. Previously seen as one of the top all-around tight ends in the game, the former first-round pick has struggled a great deal since the start of the 2014 season. He's put up just 44 receptions and two touchdowns in the 20 games during that span.

Some will blame Colin Kaepernick's regression under center, but Davis really has only himself to blame for these recent struggles. His holdout during the summer of 2014 coupled with lackluster overall route-running and blocking has led to this decline.

With that said, Davis has an opportunity to rebound big time should his head be in the game with the Broncos. Joining an undefeated squad should allow this to happen.

10. Mark Barron, linebacker, St. Louis Rams

Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the top 10 of the 2012 NFL draft to be an impact safety, Barron was an absolute dumpster fire in that role before being traded to the Rams halfway through his third season.

In fact, here's a guy that yielded a 67 percent completion rate and eight touchdowns in coverage over his first two seasons.

While Barron did start his Rams career by playing safety, he's since been transitioned to linebacker with the injury to Alec Ogletree. And it's gone swimmingly.

Thus far this season, Pro Football Focus has Barron grading out as the fourth-best run-stuffing 4-3 outside linebacker in the NFL. Taking on Adrian Peterson and the Vikings this week, Barron has another opportunity to prove his worth in this new role.

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