Fantasy Football: Arian Foster and the Top 10 Breakout Players of the Season

Players like Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Tom Brady do not win fantasy leagues. Many fantasy football leagues are won by the unknown stars who break out each season.

In 2009, Miles Austin became an elite wide receiver, and his play helped many win their leagues.

This season has been full of breakout performances. Houston Texans running back Arian Foster is the prime example.

Foster has replaced Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson as the No. 1 running back in fantasy leagues with his ability to run and catch the ball like the great Marshall Faulk.

It's not too late to either trade or maybe even add some of this season's best breakout players, either for just this season or to hold on to if you play in a keeper league.

Now let's look at the 10 best breakout players of the 2010 fantasy season. They are ranked in no particular order.

10. Peyton Hillis

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 14: Tailback Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns runs away from David Harris #52 of the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Peyton Hillis had a good 2009 season, but no one would have predicted he'd be a top fantasy player among all positions in 2010.

Hillis' physical running style makes him valuable as a goal line threat, but his strength makes him tough to tackle anywhere on the field.

Hillis has 774 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season and led the Cleveland Browns' upset of the New England Patriots earlier this season.

Rushing is not the only valuable part of Hillis' game. He's a great receiver too. He has caught 40 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns.

Hillis is a threat in both the passing and running games and receives multiple looks each red zone trip.

He has become an elite fantasy player, and one you should definitely hold on to in a keeper league.

9. Kyle Orton

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass during warm up before the start of the game against San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. Chargers defeated the bronco

Kyle Orton was the forgotten man in the Jay Cutler trade a few years ago, the deal that sent Cutler to Chicago and Orton to Denver.

Orton has become a prolific passer in 2010 and is very good at spreading the ball around to multiple receivers.

Orton has thrown for 3,023 yards this year, but his most impressive stat is his touchdown to interception ratio.

He's thrown 17 touchdown passes and has only been intercepted six times.

On a Broncos team with many quality receivers such as Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal and others, Orton is a safe bet for at least 250 passing yards every game.

When you also consider the Broncos are trailing in the second half of most games, his value is even greater.

8. Hakeem Nicks

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Hakeem Nicks #88 of the New York Giants reacts against the Dallas Cowboys on November 14, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 33-20. (Photo by Jim McIsaac

When the New York Giants lost star wide receiver Plaxico Burress because of off the field legal issues, they were without a tall, physical guy for Eli Manning to look for in crucial moments.

The Giants drafted Hakeem Nicks last season out of North Carolina, and after a solid rookie season, he has taken his game to new heights so far in 2010.

Nicks has 62 catches for 800 yards and is among the league leaders with nine touchdown receptions.

Manning trusts Nicks to catch any pass in any situation, and his combination of strength and speed is rare among receivers today.

Nicks is only going to get better and is the clear No. 1 receiving option in New York.

7. Austin Collie

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Austin Collie #17 of the Indianapolis Colts makes a 23 yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter as Perrish Cox #32 of the Denver Broncos defends at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Col

Austin Collie had a very nice rookie season last year after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts from BYU.

From the first week of this season, Collie became a household fantasy football name.

Unfortunately for owners of Collie, injuries have plagued his production after an amazing start to the year. Foot injuries and a concussion have caused Collie to miss multiple games this season.

Even with a multitude of problematic injuries, Collie has still caught 50 passes for 562 yards and six touchdowns.

Collie will be a great player to draft next season, not only because he's become a very good player, but also because any receiver catching balls from Peyton Manning is a valuable fantasy option.

6. LeSean McCoy

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac

LeSean McCoy is just one of the many options the Philadelphia Eagles offense can beat any team with, but his versatility makes him a very valuable fantasy player.

He has taken over the Eagles' running back spot from the departed Brian Westbrook, and he shares many of the same skills Westbrook displayed in his career as an Eagle.

McCoy is a quick and powerful runner and has amassed 726 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. McCoy is also a very talented receiver and has caught 51 passes for 381 yards and one touchdown.

McCoy is a great player who can beat a team in so many ways, and playing with Michael Vick has created space to run into because defenses are scared of Vick scrambling.

Next season McCoy will be a first-round-worthy pick, and someone you shouldn't pass up.

5. Steve Johnson

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Steve Johnson #13 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball after a reception during NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bills won 49-21. (Photo by Andy Lyon

How many people knew who Steve Johnson was before this season? Chances are almost none of you did.

Johnson has burst onto the NFL scene and has become one of the best fantasy receivers of the year.

Working with Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is having a great season of his own, Johnson is becoming an almost automatic touchdown guy each week.

Johnson has caught 52 passes for 728 yards and an impressive nine touchdowns. It's very likely that Johnson is a very valuable keeper man in your league, and whatever you can do to acquire him will be well worth it.

The Bills are an improving team, and with a full season under his belt, Steve Johnson could have a monster year in 2011.

4. Darren McFadden

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Darren McFadden was a highly regarded player after leaving the University of Arkansas. He just missed winning the Heisman Trophy with the Razorbacks.

The Oakland Raiders selected him the following April, but he then had two underachieving seasons as Oakland was one of the worst teams in the NFL.

This season McFadden has shown Raider nation his true potential. He has run for 771 yards and four touchdowns despite suffering through nagging injuries all year.

Receiving is another strong part of McFadden's game, and he's caught 26 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns this season.

The Raiders appear to be building a winner this season, and McFadden is a huge part of their future plans.

3. Mike Wallace

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts to outrun a tackle by Stanford Routt #26 of the Oakland Raiders during the game on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Get

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace has already surpassed his receiving yards total from last season in just 10 games played this year.

Wallace has 33 catches for 759 yards, adding eight touchdowns. Wallace is also among the league leaders in yards per catch, averaging 23 yards per reception.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has shown a lot of trust in Wallace, and it's clear he's Ben's No. 1 guy.

Wallace is a guy you will want to draft next season or trade for right now. He has amazing speed, but his much-improved route running has made him a complete receiver.

2. Mark Sanchez

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to throw a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Bengal 26-10.

New York Jets fans were wishing for quarterback Mark Sanchez to be on one of these lists at this point in the season.

Sanchez showed promise last season, leading the Jets to the AFC title game, a loss to Indianapolis.

As expected, Sanchez was given more control over the offense, and he has not disappointed. Turnovers were a bad part of his rookie season, but he has only thrown eight interceptions alongside 16 touchdown passes.

Sanchez has thrown for 2,472 yards this season and has demonstrated the ability to win close games in the fourth quarter when trailing and in overtime.

Sanchez will only get better each season, and with the running game not producing for the Jets as well as last season, Sanchez has shown he's capable of throwing often and protecting the ball.

1. Arian Foster

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the New York Jets on November 21, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Last season Chris Johnson became the breakout player in the NFL and was the unanimous fantasy football MVP.

This season, Houston Texans running back Arian Foster has taken that crown and gives fantasy owners many of the same skills Johnson provides.

Foster is a great runner and receiver and is on pace to amass over 2,000 total yards from scrimmage.

Foster has rushed for 1,004 yards and 12 touchdowns so far and has caught 39 passes for 378 yards and one touchdown.

Arian Foster is the elite fantasy running back this season, and playing in an offense with a great quarterback and quality receivers will allow him to maintain his high level of play.

If you own Foster, don't trade him. He's a fantasy stud for many years to come.

Review and Honorable Mentions

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after converting on a two point conversion in the fourth quarter as Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants looks on at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Phila

Those were the top 10 breakout players of the 2010 fantasy football season so far.

You should try to acquire any of these guys as you make a push to win your league this season. Also, many of these guys are probably have great keeper value for those of you who enjoy keeper leagues.

Here are the guys who just missed the list:

Michael Vick (has had a lot of previous success)

Dwayne Bowe

Ahmad Bradshaw

Rashard Mendenhall

Mike Williams (Tampa Bay)

Josh Freeman

BenJarvus Green-Ellis