Arian Foster and Top NFL Breakout Stars Who Are Here to Stay

The 2010 NFL season has been one of the most intriguing and memorable seasons in recent history. There have been numerous story lines including the reemergence of Michael Vick, the Brett Favre scandal, the embarrassment of the Dallas Cowboys, an above-.500 Oakland Raiders, and a below-.500 San Diego Chargers.

The fact that so many teams have broken out of the basement of their respective divisions reflects how many stars have broken out this season.

While some players such as Larry Fitzgerald and Brett Favre have lost some of their credibility as superstars, several other players have broken out to become amongst the elite players in the NFL.

For 2010, here is the NFL all-breakout team:

QB: Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks for an open receiver against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Quarterbacks drafted first overall can go either way. You could get a Peyton Manning. You could also get an Alex Smith.

The Rams are much closer to Peyton Manning with the young quarterback Sam Bradford. As of Week 9, Bradford ranks 11th in the league in passing yards. He also ranks 13th in passing touchdowns.

The St. Louis Rams are .500, and much of the credit belongs to Bradford.  Due to his efforts, the Rams have won two of three including last week, when Bradford was at his most efficient and completed 25 of 32 passes for two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Bradford's play has conjured up some memories of Matt Ryan's performance as a rookie, and maybe even Peyton Manning's.

While it's too early to make grandiose statements about Bradford's future stardom, he is on pace to shatter the record of passing attempts by a rookie and join the top five in many other categories.

Bradford's performance is made all the more impressive by the fact that the Rams do not have that much talent surrounding the rookie. Aside from Stephen Jackson, there are no supremely talented offensive weapons.

Bradford has elevated the play of his teammates helping the Rams get production from no-names such as Danny Amendola, who is on pace to catch 90 receptions this season.

Honorable Mention: Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Bucs

RB: Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes in the first half against the San Diego Chargers at Reliant Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

With the best wide receiver in the NFL in Andre Johnson and a strong-armed quarterback in Matt Schaub, the 2010 Texans seemed to be destined to make it or break it through the air.

Foster's emergence in the Texans backfield has changed that dynamic.

Since his Week 1 breakout game when Foster ran all over the Indianapolis Colts for 231 yards and three touchdowns, he has been absolutely dominant four more hundred yard games on the ground.

This week, Foster overtook Adrian Peterson for first place in the NFL in rushing yards. Foster has also added nine rushing touchdowns for the Texans while being a terrific receiver out of the backfield.

Turning the ball over just once on the season has to be nice considering all the fumbles Steve Slaton doled out last season.

Honorable Mention: Darren McFadden, Da Raidahs (Oakland)

WR1: Brandon Lloyd, Denver Broncos

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Brandon Lloyd #84 of Denver Broncos celebrates with Zane Beadles #68 as he scores their second touchdown during the NFL International Series match between Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on October

Kyle Orton had to be a bit nervous when Brandon Marshall departed Denver for Miami in the offseason. He probably felt a little better after Brandon Lloyd started the 2010 NFL season with four 100-yard receiving games out of the first five games.

Lloyd leads the league in receiving yards with 878 yards and first downs with 39. He is fourth in the league in yards per reception with 20.9 ypc, and he is first amongst those with 25 or more receptions.

On the season, Lloyd has already reached a career high in receiving yards and is on pace to surpass the 1,500-yard barrier on the season. Lloyd has stepped into the spotlight seamlessly this season and has made the departure of Brandon Marshall so much easier to take for the Broncos.

Honorable Mention: Johnny Knox, Chicago Bears

WR2: Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks #88 of the New York Giants smiles after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on November 7, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 41-7. (Photo by Otto Gr

Nicks produced some terrific, solid numbers last year as a rookie for the New York Giants. While his emergence as a star wideout may not come as a surprise to many, he is definitely here to stay amongst the upper echelon of NFL wide receivers.

Last year, Nicks hauled in 47 receptions for 790 yards and eight touchdowns. This year, through exactly half the season, Nicks has contributed 653 receiving yards and is on pace to score a whopping 18 touchdowns for the season.

Nicks has become a fantastic possession receiver in addition to his role last year as the big-play receiver. He is on pace to more than double his receptions total from last year and join the elite 100-receptions club.

While his yards per reception have decreased significantly, his targets and catches have resulted in skyrocketing yards and touchdown statistics.

Honorable Mention: Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Bucs

TE: Dustin Keller, New York Jets

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Dustin Keller #81 of the New York Jets catches a pass from Mark Sanchez during the fourth quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Keller entered his third year in the NFL as a bit of an enigma. After a super impressive rookie season in 2008 where Keller caught 48 receptions for 535 yards and three touchdowns, his numbers decreased slightly in all of those statistics during his sophomore season.

As a third-year player, Keller has broken out. While he is not an elite tight end, his skills as a receiver put Keller in the top ten amongst tight ends in the league.

This year, Keller has already accumulated 447 yards and five touchdowns in just eight games. Additionally, he is second amongst tight ends in yards per catch.

Keller is on pace to set career highs in almost every positive statistical category. Quickly, he has become on of Mark Sanchez's favorite targets and go-to third-down receiver.

Honorable Mention: Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars

Defensive Line: Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - OCTOBER 31: Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions recovers a late fourth quarter fumble from Rex Grossman #8 of the Washington Redskins an scores a touchdown at Ford Field on October 31, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Redski

The Lions finally got it right with a first-round draft pick.

Suh has been absolutely fantastic in his rookie season with the Lions. In eight games, Suh has racked up seven sacks, an interception, and a defensive touchdown.

The former Nebraska Cornhusker has been a force in the middle of the field and has given the Lions a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.

Suh has lived up to all of the hype and more. He should anchor the Detroit defensive line for years to come.

Honorable Mention: James Hall, St. Louis Rams, Jason Babin, Tennessee Titans

Linebacker: Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

MIAMI - OCTOBER 4: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots is hit as he passes by Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Field on October 4, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Cameron Wake is a big reason why Miami's defense has been much improved this season.

After recording five and a half sacks last season as a rookie, Wake has already accumulated nine this season through eight games. He has a knack for getting to the quarterback and is a much improved tackler from his rookie season.

Since Wake entered the league as a 27-year-old, he is one of the older sophomore NFL players, yet his breakout season has generated some recognition despite his odd career path from the CFL to the NFL.

Wake, along with rookie Koa Misi and veterans Karlos Dansby and Channing Crowder, have formed a nice linebacker corps for the Dolphins, who are much improved in a 3-4 defensive scheme.

Honorable Mention:  Kevin Burnett, San Diego Chargers

Secondary: Earl Thomas: Seattle Seahawks

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks returns an interception against the San Diego Chargers at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 27-20. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty I

Safety Earl Thomas out of Texas was considered one of the top defensive prospects in the 2010 NFL draft. Thomas has definitely demonstrated why he was so highly regarded.

The bright spot in a Seahawks defense that is 29th against the pass, Thomas has amassed four interceptions this season along with five pass deflections.

Additionally, Thomas is on pace to have almost 75 tackles in his rookie season.

With his ball-hawking skills and tackling ability, Thomas should be a superstar safety over the next few years in the NFL.

Honorable Mention: Alphonso Smith, Detroit Lions