NFL Picks Week 1: The 10 Unexpected Stars Who Will Dominate

It's time to start talking NFL football, and the league will kick off its first regular season game with Brett Favre and company taking on the Saints tomorrow night.

We've come to expect big things from the most dominant players in football, but this season promises to get us talking about many breakout stars.

From wide receivers to linebackers, we will be hearing some new names in NFL talks, and it is exciting to see which players will establish themselves amongst the greats this season.

Here, we'll take a look at the Top Ten Surprise Players who will dominate Week One.

10. Matthew Stafford

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ALLEN PARK, MI - MAY 01: Matt Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions throws during rookie orientation camp at the Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility on May 1, 2009 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Matthew Stafford had a rough rookie season, playing for a disappointing Lions franchise. He only started 10 games due to injury, and he threw 20 interceptions during these games.

While the Lions are by no means a playoff-caliber team this, they have greatly improved from last season, and Stafford will have Calvin Johnson as a reliable option at receiver.

During the preseason, Stafford's only interception came from a tipped pass, and after he led the Lions to a win over the Cleveland Browns with an injured shoulder, we cannot question his toughness and dedication.

9. Kenny Phillips

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02: Kenny Phillips #21 of the New York Giants in action against the Dallas Cowboys during their game on November 2, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

This 2008 first round draft pick put up some good numbers for the Giants last season with 13 tackles and two interceptions in just two games.

This season, Phillips has recovered from last season's knee injury, and he will have the help of former Miami teammate, Antrel Rolle. These two could team up to be one of the most dominant pairs of safeties in the league.

8. Chester Taylor

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 28: Chester Taylor #29 of the Chicago Bears moves for a long gain against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

If given the chance, Chester Taylor can produce. In 2006, he started 15 games for the Vikings and rushed for 1,216 yards and six touchdowns.

He is now with the Bears, and his 213 pounds packed into a 5'11" frame make him a boulder to break through the line.

Lovie Smith may look to this veteran for to run between tackles and gain some serious yardage for the Bears.

7. David Harris

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: David Harris #52 of the New York Jets in action against the Washington Redskins during their preseason game on August 27, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Ima

Harris is still young, and with some work, he could become a key player in the Jets' defense. Other teams in the league see promise in the young linebacker as well, with the Broncos willing to trade Brandon Marshall for Harris in 2009.

Harris led the Jets in tackles last season at 127 and 5.5 sacks, and he is easily the second best linebacker on the team.

6. Michael Bush

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OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 28: Michael Bush #29 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed

Michael Bush has consistently gained responsibility as a running back for Oakland since he joined the team in 2007. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in strength and size. 

Darren McFadden might play with more style, but expect Bush to get more carries this season and make himself known as a reliable, productive running back.

5. Malcom Floyd

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SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Wide receiver Malcom Floyd #80 of the San Diego Chargers runs with the ball after a catch against the New York Jets during AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by R

With Vincent Jackson out, Floyd will have to pick up the slack for the Chargers' offense. In 2009, he had 45 and 776 yards, and we can expect him to easily up those numbers in 2010.

Floyd has an average of 16.5 yards per carry, and with the Chargers first thought to put the ball in the air, Floyd could become the top receiver on this offense.

4. James Laurinaitis

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ST. LOUIS - DECEMBER 20: Ryan Moats #21 of the Houston Texans looks to get past James Laurinaitis #55 of the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 20, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

As a Rookie, Laurinaitis led the Rams' defense with 120 tackles, and he'll only continue to improve.

We saw what this linebacker did at Ohio State, and he is a hard-working player who will challenge himself throughout the season.

3. Alex Mack

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 27: Alex Mack #55 of the Cleveland Browns defends against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 27, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 34-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns need to step up their offensive line, and Alex Mack is just the guy to help them. He didn't miss a snap as a rookie in 2009, and he will team up with Joe Thomas to protect Jake Delhomme.

Mack is the kind of O-lineman that doesn't stop until the whistle blows, keeping his eyes down field to pick up some extra blocks. His rookie debut impressed us, and his second season will amaze us.

2. Mike Wallace

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 20: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs in for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the game on December 20, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/G

With Santonio Holmes gone, Dennis Dixon and Ben Roethlisberger will be targeting Wallace in his place. As a rookie, Wallace led the league with 19.4 yards per catch, and he will see much more playing time this season.

Last year, Wallace had 756 yards and six touchdowns, and he is guaranteed to get a lot more action this season.

1. Joe Flacco

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BALTIMORE - AUGUST 28: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens passes against the New York Giants at M&T Bank Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens lead the Giants 17-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The Ravens have built an outstanding team around quarterback, Joe Flacco, and we will see what he is really capable of this season.

Flacco is ready to claim his spot amongst the top quarterbacks in the league, and a solid receiving corps will give him the boost he needs. T.J. Houshmandzadeh had a team-high number of catches with 79 and 911 yards with the Seahawks, and he will be yet another target for Flacco.