Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson and the Top Five RBs of 2010

So far in 2010, there have been some interesting names among the leading rushers in the NFL.

No surprise the rushing leaders from the past two seasons, Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson, are among the league leaders.

However, there have been a couple of surprises from some unlikely teams to raise their game to rival that of Johnson and Peterson.

So who's the best running back so far in the NFL?

Here's my ranking of the top five running backs in the early going of 2010.

I'm only including those running backs that are averaging at least 100 yards per game, a mark that is still considered a meaningful milestone for running backs.

No. 5—Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Runningback Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders rushes the football past Paris Lenon #51 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, 2010 in G

Third-year player Darren McFadden is currently third in the league with 345 yards rushing and a 115 yards average per game.

His 73 carries, second only to Chris Johnson, puts his average at 4.73 yards per carry.

He needs only eight more yards to eclipse his total rushing yards in 2009.

The question will be can be sustain his performance? His career high in carries came in 2008 when he ran the ball 113 times, a number he should surpass within two games.

Of the five running backs averaging 100 or more yards per game, his one touchdown is the fewest of the bunch.

No. 4—Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans breaks for a long run during a game against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on September 26, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty I

Tennessee's Chris Johnson captured the rushing title in 2009 with 2,006 yards.

Johnson is currently fifth in the league with 301 yards, and first in the league with 75 rushes.

However, his 4.01 average per carry does put him among the top 10 running backs in the league.

He is currently fifth in the league with a 100.3 yards per game average, while his four rushing touchdowns leads the NFL.

No. 3—Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

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TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tries to out run defenders Cody Grimm #35 and Ronde Barber #20 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Tampa, F

Rashard Mendenhall is currently fourth in the league with 332 rushing yards and fourth with a 110.7 yards average per game.

The Steelers are 3-0 without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and the contribution from Mendenhall is one reason for that.

His 5.2 yard average per carry, currently 10th in the league, is 0.6 yards better than his average in 2009 when he gained 1,108 yards.

He has rushed for two touchdowns so far this season.

No. 2—Arian Foster, Houston Texans

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

A very good argument could be made for Arian Foster as the best running back in the league right now.

In his second year in the league, Foster leads the NFL with 406 rushing yards and a 135.3 rushing yards per game.

His 69 carries, currently fourth in the NFL, are 15 more than he had all of last season when he played in only six games for the Texans and ran for 257 yards.

Like Darren McFadden, it will be interesting to see if he can continue to contribute at this pace. He may have flown under the radar screen of most defensive coordinators, but not anymore, he's getting people's attention.

His three rushing touchdowns tie him with Adrian Peterson for the second-most among running backs.

He has the Texans sitting at 2-1, tied with the Colts and Titans in the AFC South.

Along with McFadden and Johnson, Foster has had one fumble in three games.

No. 1—Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson runs for 80 yards and a touchdown against the Lioins.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson led the league with 1,760 rushing yards in 2008.

When, in 2009, the Vikings added Brett Favre, this was still supposed to be Peterson's team; however, he ended up with 49 fewer carries and 377 fewer yards—dropping to fifth in the league in rushing yards.

Tennessee's Chris Johnson captured the rushing title in 2009 with 2,006 yards.

Even though Peterson led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns, there were many who crowned Johnson the league's best running back.

Something tells me this did not sit well with Adrian Peterson, and fortunately for Vikings fans, Peterson has been the brightest spot on an otherwise ineffective offense.

Even though it's still very early, all indications are Peterson means business.

Currently second in the league with 392 rushing yards and 130.7 yards per game average, Peterson has picked up the Vikings and is carrying the load until Favre can get on a first-name basis with his receiving corp.

His three rushing touchdowns are tied with Houston's Arian Foster for second-most among running backs.

However, the biggest improvement so far has to be his ability to hang onto the football.

His 70 carries is third in the league and he has yet to put the ball on the carpet.

Based on his career averages, he fumbles once every 46 carries. Based on this he would have fumbled at least once or twice so far this year.

If the Vikings' passing game gets back on track, and with a determined Peterson, they Vikings' offense will once again be unstoppable.