2010 Fantasy Football: Top Ten Breakout Running Backs

Due to human nature, we are all striving to improve in our day-to-day lives in search of success. Finally, when the situation is right, the best of us will rise to the occasion and display our abilities to the world.

Similarly, in the NFL, every year there happen to be a select few players who simply step up and unexpectedly have productive seasons.

In fantasy football, it's important to identify who those players are. Therefore, here's my list for the top ten running backs most likely to have a breakout season.

Note: They are in no particular order.

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Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - JANUARY 03: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High on January 3, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

After finally being given 25 touches a game, Jamaal Charles really lit it up during the last four weeks of the season, when he amassed a total of 737 yards from scrimmage. I expect him to carry over that success, and at least have 1,500 this year. 

Note, that even though he will be the starter, he will also be splitting time with Thomas Jones.

Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Jahvid Best #4 of the California Bears looks for some running room as he turns the corner in the second quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon

Jahvid Best, the 30th overall selection in this year's draft, is an absolutely electrifying player. He's a big-play threat every time he touches the ball, and I could realistically see him compiling at least 800 yards from scrimmage.

Considering that Kevin Smith is struggling, Best should be given an ample amount of carries. 

Do be aware that he does have some durability issues, though.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT , MI - OCTOBER 11: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs for a first quarter touchdown while playing the Detroit Lions on October 11, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Pittsburgh won the game 28-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamu

With the off-the-field distractions that the Steelers organization has faced during the off season, I expect them to go back to the their physical, disciplined, smash-mouth offense, because that's what the franchise does best.

Rashard Mendenahall is set to be the feature back in Pittsburgh, and last year he proved his capability to carry a majority of the load as he totaled 1,427 yards from scrimmage. 

Expect him to build on that, and be the focal point of the offense, especially during Roethlisberger's four-six week suspension. 

Ryan Matthews, San Diego Chargers

Even though the Chargers ranked 19th in rushing attempts, they ranked 31st in total rushing yards. That, along with the release of LaDanian Tomlinson, made finding a quality starting running back a top priority.

The team jumped up in the draft in order to select Ryan Matthews. For the upcoming season, he's projected to be the starter and should be good for at least 800 yards rushing. 

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 13: LeSean McCoy #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium on December 13, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

With Donovan McNabb now gone, the other players on the Eagles' offense will have to step up. 

More importantly, inexperienced starter Kevin Kolb will rely on the running game to carry a majority of the load. LeSean McCoy, the primary back, should get 300 touches and at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage. 

Justin Forsett, Seattle Seahawks

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - NOVEMBER 29: Justin Forsett #20 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball for yardage against the St. Louis Rams during their NFL game at Edward Jones Dome on November 29, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 27-17. (

The Seahawks are expected to run the ball more this year, and Justin Forsett appears to be the starter. What this means for fantasy owners is more carries and more opportunities to produce. 

Forsett is an elusive runner who excels as a pass catcher and on third downs as well. I project him to have at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage. 

Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 27: Runningback Beanie Wells #26 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game against the St. Louis Rams at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on December 27, 2009 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-10. (Pho

In the waking of Kurt Warner's retirement, the Cardinals are going to be rushing the ball much more than they have in the past. Therefore, it's time for Beanie Wells to take charge and make plays. 

Wells played well in his rookie campaign last year, and with additional carries, he should surpass at least 1,000 yards. 

Jerome Harrison, Cleveland Browns

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 04: Jerome Harrison #35 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during their game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Browns 23-20 in overtime. (Pho

Jerome Harrison has improved in each of his four years in the league, and I expect him to make the next big step in his development this upcoming season. 

In the last three games, Harrison rushed for an impressive 561 yards on a 5.3 YPC average along with five TDs. 

With the Browns having one of the worst quarterback situations in the league, Harrison should be given a larger workload, putting him in a situation where he could likely register at least 1,200 yards on the ground.

Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos

Larry French/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 15, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins defeated the Broncos 27-17. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

With Brandon Marshall gone, Moreno will become the central point of the Broncos' offense. 

He had a brilliant rookie year, for the most part, rushing for 947 yards and seven TDs.

The team's newly implemented zone blocking scheme should help Moreno elevate to the next level, making him a likely candidate for a huge 2010 season. I believe that 1,500 yards from scrimmage is a very realistic prediction. 

Shonn Greene, New York Jets

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Running back Shonn Greene #23 of the New York Jets celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen

The New York Jets have put full confidence in Shonn Greene, by parting ways with, both, Thomas Jones and Leon Washington.

Greene played extremely well in the playoffs last season, rushing for 304 yards on a 5.6 YPC average.

Running behind a powerful offensive line, should allow him to continue that success and have at least 1,200 yards rushing. 

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