Week 9: Deep League Start 'em

As we approach week 9 of the NFL regular season, here are several more players that could have a positive impact on your fantasy team if you are in a deep league and in need of a quality start. Here is a glance at eight position players who may give you the boost you need on a depleted roster filled with bye weeks.

QB Matthew Stafford, DET

If you own Matthew Stafford or Daunte Culpepper, I am sorry it had to come to this. But with all fantasy players, there are a few weeks in which they might actually help your team rather than hurt it or be a question mark. The Detroit Lions' week 9 match-up against the Seattle Seahawks could be one of those match-ups. Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck is still nicked up, but should be good to go Sunday and with WRs TJ Houshmandzadeh and Nate Burleson, TE John Carlson and RB Julius Jones, Hasselbeck is going to score early and often at home. This giving Stafford all the time in the world to move the ball. Expect the Seahawks to win convincingly against the sorry Lions and look for Stafford to throw for about 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the loss.

RB Laurence Maroney, NE

Owning a New England Patriots running back has its advantages and disadvantages, but it seems like each week Laurence Maroney may be approaching his old form. He currently leads the team with 265 rushing yards and two touchdowns with an average of 4.3 yards per carry. With RBs Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris injured, Maroney will have plenty of opportunities to see the field against the Miami Dolphins. Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Maroney gained 43 yards and found the end-zone for a second consecutive week in an easy 35-7 win. With a week 9 match-up against an average Dolphins defense, look for the Patriots to show a little more emphasis on the running game as they feature Maroney; 90 all-purpose yards and a touchdown are not out of the question.

RB Dantrell Savage, KC

With the whole Larry Johnson ordeal behind the Kansas City Chiefs, it is a safe assumption that the team is turning to 2nd-year back Jamaal Charles to take over as the primary running back, with undrafted rookie Dantrell Savage backing him up. The Chiefs have also brought back Kolby Smith, who has impressed the coaching staff since his return from season-ending knee surgery last season. Although the Chiefs have had trouble running the ball this year, Charles and Savage have not really had an opportunity to get involved in the offense much and both could get very involved in the offense this week when Kansas City travels to Jacksonville for a match-up against the Jaguars. Do not expect much from Savage this week in terms of rushing yards, but he could wind up doing anything from rushing the ball a handful of times to catching a few check-down passes, and is projected to return kicks. The Yahoo Sports web site currently has Savage as the no. 2 kick-returner on the depth chart, and Charles no. 1. With Charles moving into the starting role, that should open the door for Savage to at worst return a few kicks, which could be helpful in a deep PPR/return-yardage league.

WR Kenny Britt, TEN

With Vince Young now under center for the Tennessee Titans, the wide receivers have the unfortunate task of getting in-sync with a new quarterback. This task can be hard for a veteran wide receiver, let alone a rookie. Britt has shown a lot of potential both this season and in the preseason. Britt currently has 20 receptions, 296 yards and zero touchdowns on the season. With another tough match-up on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, Britt should be on the field quite a bit and is due to score his first touchdown any day now. Do not expect huge numbers from Britt on Sunday (or for the next few weeks), but the rookie should not have any trouble landing in the 4 catches for 50 yards vicinity.

WR Malcom Floyd, SD

The San Diego Chargers released veteran WR Chris Chambers this week, opening the door for up-and-coming WR Malcom Floyd. Floyd is listed at 6-5, 220 pounds and gives QB Phillip Rivers another lengthy target who can make plays down the field. Last week against the Raiders, Floyd caught a 53-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage and has seen his playing time increase each week. With Chambers out of the way, Floyd should have plenty of opportunities to produce. Look for Floyd and Rivers to form some kind of connection, especially in the red-zone when opposing defense are keying on TE Antonio Gates, WR Vincent Jackson and the running game. Floyd faces a tough New York Giants secondary Week 9, but if the game can stay competitive Floyd should be in the 5-6 catch ballpark with a great chance of scoring a touchdown. Pick-up and start Floyd with confidence this week!