These players aren't doing much to help fantasy owners this season, but they stand a good chance of becoming prominent contributors in 2010:

1. Shonn Greene — The Jets are making noise about keeping Thomas Jones around for 2010, the final year of his current contract, due to uncertainty about Leon Washington's recovery from a broken leg. But it's probably just that: noise. The team would have to pay Jones $5.8 million, with $3 million of that sum in the form of a roster bonus. It's hard to see the Jets giving that sort of scratch to a running back who's on the wrong side of 30, even if he's been aging like a fine Bordeaux. Not only does it seem illogical for the Jets to willingly shell out a lot of extra cash for anything but another piece for head coach Rex Ryan's beloved defense, but it also seems as if the team could easily cut costs by handing the job to Greene and getting some sort of cheap insurance policy for Washington via the draft or free agency. Greene has carried the ball only 41 times this season, but the one time he was given a heavy workload, he diced up the Raiders for 144 rushing yards and two TDs. If Jones is released, Greene figures to be the main man next season. Even if Jones remains, the Jets will find ways to get Greene more involved. Count on the bruiser from the University of Iowa becoming more of a factor in 2010.

2. Matt Leinart — There's a 90 percent chance Leinart will be a starter for someone in 2010, but it's tough to tell whether the Cardinals will be that "someone." Kurt Warner will still be under contract for the 2010 season, but it will be the last year of his two-year deal, and his base salary will only be about $4 million. (He received a $19 million signing bonus.) Leinart's contract runs through 2011, and his base salary takes a big jump in the final year. In all likelihood the Cards will either commit to Leinart for next year or deal him to one of the umpteen teams in the league that have abominable QB situations. (Next year's rookie QB class could be a good one, but no way will it be deep enough to feed all of the NFL's hungry.) In three and a half seasons as a pro, Leinart's only impressive feat was getting photographed in a hot tub with a bevy of attractive young women. But there's reason for hope. Leinart has reportedly become more mature and more dedicated to his craft. And perhaps there's something to be said for a long ripening period. It seemed to work for Aaron Rodgers, who was mostly idle for his first three seasons in the league and then hit the ground running in his fourth. Leinart failed early in his pro career, then sat and watched. He may finally bear fruit for fantasy owners in 2010.