Arian Foster, Australian for No. 1 Fantasy RB: This Year's Breakout RBs

Prior to the 2010-11, season few knew the name Arian Foster.  As you may know, the second-year running back Foster was undrafted out of Tennessee, so not even the pro scouts could have seen this coming. 

Now, after totaling over 2,200 combined yards last year and scoring 22 touchdowns, he is at the top of many early fantasy draft boards. 

So here ya go, these are some players that have a shot at breaking loose and becoming a top fantasy running back this year.

Starting with...

Anthony Dixon

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Running back Anthony Dixon #24 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Anthony Dixon came out of the 2010 draft as one of the most experienced running backs.  He played in all but one game from the time he went to Mississippi State till the time he was drafted.  This durability is something that his counterpart, Frank Gore, has been lacking the past few seasons. 

Dixon is a big back at 6'1" 235, so he will use his body to his advantage, especially near the goal line. 

Gore did go down the last five games of the season and Dixon didn't necessarily explode onto the scene, but he made his presence felt.  With that experience and another offseason behind him, another injury to Gore could give Dixon a chance to step into the limelight and become a fantasy commodity. 

The 49ers drafted Kendall Hunter out of Oklahoma State in the fourth round this year.  He is a smaller back at 5'8" 200, so no need to worry: If Gore goes down, Dixon will be getting the carries.

Montario Hardesty

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 2: Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns hands the ball off to Montario Hardesty #31 against the Chicago Bears during the preseason game on September 2, 2010 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the B

Yes, I know Peyton Hillis had a great 2010-11 season, but guess what: He is on the cover of Madden. 

You may not believe in the curse, but I will be drafting Hardesty everywhere just because of it.  Montario was a second-round pick last year out of Tennessee (Foster's alma mater) and was slated to start at RB for the Browns before a season-ending knee injury in the preseason.

In his senior season, the 6'0", 225-pound running back exploded for over 1,600 total yards and 14 TDs.  He is a versatile running back and with Hillis only having one good season in his career, I am looking at Hardesty to break out this year and live up to his second-round stature.

Rashad Jennings

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Rashad Jennings #23 of the Jacksonville Jaguars rushes against Stanford Routt #26 of the Oakland Raiders during the game at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Image

Yes, Maurice Jones-Drew is consistently a top fantasy running back, but every year Jennings is getting more and more touches for a reason. 

At 5'7" 208, Jones-Drew has taken a beating in the past few years and it is starting to catch up to him.  He missed the last two games with an MCL injury, allowing Jennings to step in and play well.  He even surpassed 100 yards rushing and a TD in the final game against Houston. 

With a 5.4 career average on the ground, the 6'1" 228-pound Jennings is due for a breakout season as Jones-Drew keeps breaking down.

Bernard Scott

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Bernard Scott #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Ima

Cedric Benson is not as good as he is cracked up to be.  He only had three 100-yard rushing games last year and only averaged 3.7 yards a carry. 

Bernard Scott, on the other hand, averaged 4.9 yards a carry.  Scott also runs a 4.4 40 whereas Benson probably runs more in the 4.6 time.  At 5'10" 197, Scott may not have the bulk like Benson but with comparable speed, size and hands to Chris Johnson, he has a chance to break out this year if the Bengals give him a chance. 

Benson is a free agent if there ever is an offseason, so we will see if the Bengals keep him on or give Scott a chance to be the featured back.

Mike Goodson

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 12: Mike Goodson #33 of the Carolina Panthers during their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Mike Goodson has to be licking his chops with DeAngelo Williams being a free agent.  In his third season out of Texas A&M, the fourth-round pick is ready to break out. 

In the two games that both Williams and Stewart were out last year, Goodson rushed for over 100 yards in each game and average over 130 total yards.  We all know that Carolina can have two good running backs and this year, it will be Goodson and Stewart—sorry DeAngelo.

So there ya go, five running backs that are ready to break out for the 2011-12 season.  Good luck and happy mocking.