Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings: Best Bye Week Fill-Ins

Week 9 is a tough week for many teams, and if you are able to pull out a win it will give you a great shot at turning your season around. Or it could help you close the door on the rest of the teams in your league.

Here are some key players on a bye and who you should pick up to replace them.

1. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: 23.0 Points Per Game

Replacement: Kevin Kolb, Day-to-Day, Arizona Cardinals, Owned in 52.5 Percent of Leagues

Pros

It is highly unlikely that the Rams have enough in their tank to repeat their performance against the Saints. Beanie Wells may very well force the Rams to stack the box, which would leave Kolb to hook up with Fitzgerald and Co. all game long. 

Cons

He hasn't been very good the past month, and he still hasn't fully recovered from turf toe. If he doesn't start, Andy Dalton is another solid performer with a decent matchup. 

2. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions: 17.8 Points Per Game

Replacement: Jon Baldwin, Kansas City Chiefs, Owned in 5.3 Percent of ESPN Standard Leagues

Pros

Baldwin basically nixed Breaston's role in the receiving corps, and everyone in America saw that amazingly athletic grab he made for a score. Baldwin is loaded with upside potential, and is a very solid start against a dreadful Miami secondary.

Cons

He is still only three games into his NFL career, so his eight-catch performance against may have been an anomaly. 

3. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings: 18.3 Points Per Game

Replacement: Chris Ogbannaya, Cleveland Browns, Owned in 1.3 Percent of ESPN Standard Leagues

Pros

Ogbannaya returns to face his old Texans team with revenge etched in every line of his face. We know he can catch the football from his days in college, so he has a small dual-threat capability.

Cons

The Texans are ranked sixth in points given up to opposing running backs. 

4. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions: 19.1 Points Per Game

Replacement: Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs, Owned in 63.3 Percent of ESPN Standard Leagues

Pros

He is playing the winless Miami Dolphins and arguably the worst secondary in the NFL. If his last matchup against a winless team (Colts) was any indication, he should have a very good game. 

Cons

He hasn't been the most consistent QB this year. That is still no excuse not to start him if you can.

Other Option (as Cassel is owned in over half of leagues): Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals, Owned in 19.6 Percent of ESPN Standard Leagues

Pros

Cedric Benson is returning this week, which will give the Bengals offense the balance it needs against Tennessee. A.J. Green is as good as a red-zone target as any wide receiver in the NFL, apart from Calvin Johnson. 

Cons

Cortland Finnegan could give Dalton's favorite downfield target, A.J. Green, problems. 

5. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars: 11.5 Points Per Game

Replacement: Kevin Faulk, New England Patriots

Pros

He's the new kid on the block and we all know how much Belichick likes to use his shiny new toys. Kevin has an excellent pair of hands which make him a favorite in the backfield.

Cons

With the stable of running backs that the Pats run in and out, Faulk could likely get no carries. 

6. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers: 13.9 Points Per Game

Replacement: Early Doucet, Arizona Cardinals, Owned in 14 Percent of ESPN Standard Leagues

Pros

Larry Fitzgerald will be the focal point of the Rams secondary, and it isn't a very talented one. If Beanie Wells performs well on the ground early the Rams will load the box and Doucet will be the guy to throw to if Fitzgerald is double-covered as usual. 

Cons

Kolb still isn't 100 percent percent.

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