Fantasy Football 2010: Michael Vick and 10 Waiver Wire Superstars

The season is coming down the home stretch for most fantasy football leagues. As league owners prepare to make that playoff push, many of them relied on key fantasy pick ups over the course of the season to help them get to this point.

While most team foundations are built off the draft, many teams help solidify or patch up holes from injuries and inconsistencies by watching the waiver wire and making a key pickup. Some pickups were just one week wonders but others became many team's MVP, most valuable pickup, over the course of the year.

Here are the top ten waiver wire super stars...

10. Michael Vick

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 03: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Washington Redskins on October 3, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

2010 Stats: 799 yards passing, 6 TD 0 INT, 187 yards rushing 1 TD.

The Kevin Kolb show was all set to begin in Philadelphia after the Eagles parted ways with franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb. Things got off to a rocky start for Kolb as he struggled with the offense before leaving the game with a concussion.

Michael Vick came into the game and sparked some life into what was an inept offense to nearly lead a comeback effort before falling just short 27-20. With Kolb out with a concussion, Vick had a chance to shine and led the Eagles to two straight road wins by playing like he did when he was a superstar.

Vick himself hurt his ribs against Washington and has had to miss the past several weeks. But fantasy owners will be glad he is back as he returns this Sunday against Indianapolis.

9. Brandon Jackson

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

2010 Stats: 418 yards rushing, 2 Touchdowns. 21 Receptions 167 yards

The Packers did come away with a victory in Philadelphia on the opening weekend, but not without a price. Productive running back Ryan Grant was injured and lost for the rest of the season in the game. Fantasy owners rushed to the waiver wire and pick up Brandon Jackson, who performed solidly in his place against the Eagles.

Jackson owners have not been let down with his production. Although he has rushed for only two touchdowns, Jackson has put up good yards on the ground and has been a pass threat out of the backfield for the Packers. Considering a bind most Grant owners could have been put in, he has been a lifesaver as a teams third running back.

8. Mike Williams

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: Mike Williams #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a catch against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

2010 Stats: 32 Receptions, 470 Yards, 4 Touchdowns

While the Mike Williams of Seattle made headlines early with his return story to the NFL, the Mike Williams of Tampa Bay has been making waves all season long. The rookie receiver out of Syracuse has been a surprise catalyst on a young offense with quarterback Josh Freeman and running back LaGarrette Blount.

Williams has been the go to receiver for Freeman and made several big catches over the course of the season for Tampa Bay. Many fantasy owners would not have dared dream of taking a Buccaneers receiver after seeing their offensive woes in 2009. But Tampa Bay has been a pleasant surprise and is among the NFC league leaders. For those who hit the waiver wire early to get Williams have had a quality receiver all year long.

7. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: (ALTERNATE CROP) BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Ge

2010 Stats:  371 yards rushing, 6 Touchdowns

The New England Patriots running back situation was supposed to feature Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor with contributions from Kevin Faulk. After two weeks of awful production, Taylor and Faulk were hobbled and Maroney found himself shipped to Denver. This threw BenJarvus Green-Ellis into the starting spot and has not looked back since.

Green-Ellis has finally brought back some stability to the running game which has seemed to be lacking since the days of Corey Dillon. Now with Randy Moss traded away, the Patriot offense has only seemed to become deadlier.

Brady is spreading the ball out amongst his receivers and can now rely on a solid runner to keep the defenses at bay. Green-Ellis has scored a touchdown in each of his five games as starter as the Patriots have rushed out to the best record in the league.

6. Devone Bess

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 15: Cornerback Aqub Talib #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches as a pass attempt skips off the fingers of wide receiver Devone Bess #15 of the Miami Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium on November 15, 2009 in Miami Gardens, Flo

2010 Stats: 39 Receptions, 401 Yards, 4 Touchdowns.

Devone Bess has come out of nowhere to be a productive wide receiver and complement to Brandon Marshall for the Miami Dolphins. Bess is fulfilling the Wes Welker role for the Dolphins, while putting up solid receiving numbers for the year. He is on pace to have 89 receptions, which would set the franchise single season mark for catches.

Bess has been especially valuable in PPR leagues where his 39 receptions make him a great addition to whomever receivers may be starting already. Bess' production should slightly increase as he was finally named a starter last week against the Cincinnati Bengals.

5. Steve Johnson

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 24: Steve Johnson #13 of the Buffalo Bills scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bills 37-34. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

2010 Stats: 30 Receptions, 409 yards, 6 Touchdowns.

Who?

That's what many fantasy owners asked when they saw this receiver put up some very impressive stats for a very unimpressive Buffalo Bills team. After a quiet first two games, Steve Johnson has caught a touchdown pass in five straight games and has been one of the most productive receivers in fantasy.

Johnson and a rejuvenated Ryan Fitzpatrick have led a Bills attack that has kept them in games but still can't get that W. Lucky for fantasy owners, only the stats matter and Johnson has played like a No. 1 receiver over the past five weeks. He has accomplished the feat that fantasy owners love the most: Getting to the Endzone.

4. Ryan Fitzpatrick

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills passes during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 31, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

2010 Stats: 1200 yards passing, 12 Touchdowns, 5 Interceptions

After the release of Trent Edwards, the Buffalo Bills turned to Ryan Fitzpatrick to lead the offense. Although it hasn't translated in the win column, none of that can be faulted from the play of Fitzpatrick. The quarterback from Harvard has had a renaissance season with the Bills and has put up impressive stats that have had fantasy owners jumping for joy.

Since being named starter in Week 3, Fitzpatrick is among the lead leaders in quarterback rating and touchdown passes. He has thrown a touchdown pass in all five starts and eight straight dating back to his time as a starter last year for the Bills. Fitzpatrick has been a life saver for teams with quarterback health/peformance issues in 2010.

No. 3 Mike Tolbert

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Running back Mike Tolbert #35 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Titans 33

2010 Stats: 363 yards rushing, 7 Touchdowns

Ryan Mathews was supposed to be one of the breakout rookie players for San Diego and fantasy football. But with some inconsistencies to go along with injuries, the Chargers turned to Mike Tolbert to carry the load and he has not made the departure of LaDanian Tomlinson a heartache.

Mathews has returned as the starter for the Chargers, but Tolbert has been a touchdown machine for the San Diego in goal line situations. Despite limited carries in a couple games before last week, Tolbert has still managed to rush for seven touchdowns.

For fantasy owners in leagues with several running back slots, Tolbert has filled the Brandon Jacobs role for San Diego nicely and his touchdowns seem to offset any lack of carries he may have.

No. 2 Peyton Hillis

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

2010 Stats: 460 yards rushing, 5 Touchdowns. 27 Receptions, 193 yards, 1 Touchdown.

At Arkansas, he was a third option behind first round draft picks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. He was a non-impact player in Denver and basically was a thrown in player in the Brady Quinn deal. But in 2010 for the Cleveland Browns and fantasy owners, Hillis has been a reincarnation of John Riggins/Mike Alstott.

Hillis was behind Jerome Harrison going into the season opener against Tampa Bay. Due to some injuries to Harrison which slowed him down, Hillis had an opportunity to build up on some solid performances in the first two games as a backup. He bulldozed his way to 144 yards and two scores against a vaunted Ravens defense.

Despite a sore hamstring which has slowed him down in recent weeks, Hillis has still put up solid numbers for fantasy owners and should expect his production to increase over the second half of the season. Hillis is among the surprise players in the NFL and those who were able to pick him up in free agency lucked out.

No. 1 Brandon Lloyd

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Brandon Lloyd #84 of Denver Broncos celebrates with Correll Buckhalter #28 of Denver Broncos during the NFL International Series match between Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on October 31, 2010 in

2010 Stats: 42 Receptions, 878 yards, 4 Touchdowns

Many Broncos fans in Denver expected the passing game to suffer with the trade of star receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins. Who would have ever expected that another Brandon would actually be outperforming Marshall in Denver this season.

Lloyd, who has been in the league for seven years, was coming off a 2009 season where he only saw two weeks of action for the Broncos. Many thought that Eddie Royal would assume the No. 1 receiving role and hoped that Kyle Orton could do well enough for them to compete. While the Broncos have struggled in 2010, none of that can be attributed to the passing game.

Orton is having one of his best seasons thanks to the comeback performance of Lloyd this year. He is the top receiver in the NFL and is averaging over 20 yards per reception. Lloyd was not drafted in 99/100 leagues before the year started and yet is the top performing receiver. Brandon Lloyd is the definition of waiver wire super star for fantasy football owners in 2010.