Young Studs Running Away: A Look at Surprise Running Backs Of 2010

The "New NFL" as it has been dubbed is said to be a passing league. Quarterbacks are valued highly and short slant routes, like the ones perfected by the Colts and Packers, are being used more in lieu of a ground and pound rushing attack. However, the NFL has been enjoying an outbreak of young talent at the running back position, as well as the revival of some "old" players as well.

It has always been said that once a running back hits 30, his days are numbered, but this year, the running backs in the top 10 in rushing yards (there are two tied for 10th mind you) only two of them are above the age of 25.

The obvious names come to mind like Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson, but there have been a few surprises as well. Here is a look at some of the biggest upstart running backs so far in the 2010 NFL season.

Arian Foster

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LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 19, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans defeated the Redskins in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Imag

Arian Foster has been a part of a big story coming out of Houston. He is leading the league in rushing yards and had a monster first week against Indianapolis, helping the Texans beat their division rivals in what had to be the upset of the first week.

Foster's 406 yards give him an unspeakable 135.6 yards per game through the first three games. The scales do seem to be tipped heavily because of his first game. However, he still looked solid last week against a Dallas defense with something to prove.

Foster's biggest help comes in the form of one of the best receivers in the league in Andre Johnson.

With defenses focusing on containing the giant on the outside, it should leave plenty of room in the middle for the ground game. The test will be whether or not the 24-year-old can be consistent enough over the course of a full season to maintain the pace he is on.

The game against Washington was disappointing, even though the passing game got it done in the end.

Darren McFadden

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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

The Raiders have been waiting for this day to show up. Even though Al Davis is still one of the worst owners in the NFL, their patience has paid off.

McFadden was given the starting job at the beginning of the season and has taken control in Oakland. With the injuries to Michael Bush, the job is McFadden's to lose, but there is no doubt that he has proven that Run DMC can shoulder the load.

McFadden has rushed for 345 yards so far this season, and unlike Foster, he has been consistent in all three of his starts. In the first game he was given the ball 18 times and rushed for 95 yards. After that, Tom Cable and company realized who their best offensive player is and gave McFadden a big increase in his workload.

The trumpets are sounding out of the Black Hole in Oakland and it seems like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. McFadden will be running against some mediocre defenses in the coming weeks, so expect big numbers, especially when the Raiders travel to San Francisco and face one of the biggest disappointments on defense so far this season.

Rashard Mendenhall

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 12: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts to run through Sean Weatherspoon #56 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL season opener game on September 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo

I don't know if there is any team in the league that has been a bigger surprise than the Pittsburgh Steelers so far this season.

With all of the off season drama surrounding Big Ben Roethlisberger and his suspension for the first four games of the season, it is amazing what the Steelers have been able to accomplish. Of course the defense is playing well, as we always know they will.

However, Rashard Mendenhall has certainly earned himself an applause for shouldering as much as he has this season.

Mendenhall is fourth this year in rushing with 332 yards per game and has been explosive off the line of scrimmage. His overtime heroics gave the Steelers their first win of the season in a battle against the Falcons. So far, the Steelers have indicated that they will be giving Mendenhall a steady dose of carries, around 20 per game, which should be enough for him to have a significant impact on the outcome of every game.

Mendenhall also competes in a difficult division in the AFC North, and has a tough matchup against the Ravens this week. As with the game against Tennessee where he was only allowed 69 yards, he will most likely see a decrease in productivity. It will also be interesting to see how much Pittsburgh decides to use him once they get their troubled Pro Bowl Quarterback in action.

Keep an eye on this 23-year-old out of Illinois.

Peyton Hillis

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Imag

It is truly unfortunate that this kid has not been given a real shot at being the No. 1 running back on a good team. When Peyton Hillis was given an opportunity in Denver, he was one of the most productive rushers in the league. So is it any surprise that the third year product out of Arkansas is doing the same thing in Cleveland?

Hillis was forced down to third on the depth chart this preseason behind last years upstart, surprise Jerome Harrison and behind the Browns' draft pick at the position Montario Hardesty.

After Hardesty went down with a ligament injury in his knee, Hillis was given a chance to split time with Harrison.

Hillis has been a shining star ever since, and with his monster game against Ray Lewis and the Ravens, there should be no doubt that he is the answer at running back for Cleveland.

Hillis has gained 220 yards on a mere 39 attempts, giving him 5.6 yards per carry. The only downfall that I could possibly see is that Hillis plays for quite possibly the worst team in the league right now.

He has been the only bright spot under a dark cloud in Cleveland and it does not appear to be getting any better in the near future. The big question will be whether or not the Browns embrace their young horse at running back.

So far head coach Eric Mangini has been pretty quiet about the situation, but being a new coach in Cleveland one can only hope that he can see the value of this young stud in the future.