NFL: Josh Freeman and Five Players Primed for Superstar Status in 2011

Every season, there are always a few players that emerge into NFL superstars—last year, Roddy White and Clay Matthews were two such players.

As we sit in a locked out NFL off-season, we can only dream about a season next year, which is the best way to keep our minds off of a potential locked out season. 

So, to keep our minds even more off of the lock out, here are five players primed for super star status in 2011. 

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @       TonySantorsa.    

Darren McFadden

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DENVER - OCTOBER 24: Running back Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 24, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

2010 may have been Darren McFadden's breakout season, but he'll have a great chance at becoming one of the league's most dominating players lining up in the backfield or even split as a wide receiver. 

McFadden ran for 1,157 yards and seven touchdowns while racking up 507 receiving yards and three touchdowns for the Raiders last season, as he flourished in offensive coordinator Hue Jackson's system.

Now, Jackson is Oakland's new head coach, and it's safe to expect that Jackson will utilize McFadden as the team's top offensive weapon.

McFadden's stellar numbers came in only 13 games—now only imagine what he would have accumulated had he played in all 16 games.

If McFadden can stay healthy, he's going to be a huge part in Jackson's offense and will emerge as one of the league's top running backs. 

Matt Ryan

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after Michael Turner #33 scored a 12-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 1

Atlanta's third overall pick in the 2008 draft, Matt Ryan, has been consistently getting better every season—and will emerge as a superstar in 2011.

Ryan tossed a solid 28 touchdowns while accumulating 3,705 yards through the air last season for the Falcons, and should put up even better numbers next season.

In this year's draft, the Falcons added wide receiver Julio Jones, as they shipped off a total of five picks to the Cleveland Browns to acquire the sixth overall pick. 

Jones will join wide receiver Roddy White and will likely create a scheming nightmare for all defensive coordinators in the NFL.

Ryan will certainly have all the tools to emerge as an elite passer in 2011, it's just a matter of executing for the former Boston College Eagle. 

Jamaal Charles

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 24: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 24, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Jamaal Charles emerged as one of the NFL's most explosive running backs last season in just his third year in the league.

Charles ran for an impressive 1,467 yards for Kansas City as he averaged an incredible 6.4 yards per-carry—a yard and a half more than the league's leading rusher, Arian Foster. 

Charles was apart of the Chiefs' two-headed monster running back with Thomas Jones, and will likely receive even more touches in 2011 due to his amazing production and the age of Jones. 

Not only is Charles a threat on the ground, but he is also respectable receiving, as he tallied up 45 receptions for 468 yards.

Charles will certainly emerge as one the league's top running backs in 2011 as long as Kansas City continues to utilize his home-run threat and ability to run in open space. 

Mario Williams

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10: Defensive end Mario Wiliiams of the Houston Texans tries to get the crowd into the game against the New York Giants at Reliant Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

In 2011, Mario Williams became the heaviest outside linebacker in the NFL at 290 pounds, as he'll adjust to defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' 3-4 defensive system. 

Some may speculate that Williams is simply too heavy to be an outside linebacker and just isn't fast enough to catch running backs running to the outside or dropping back into coverage—but I strongly believe that due to his freakish athletic ability, he'll flourish as an outside linebacker.

Williams has been a sack machine during his five years in the NFL, as he's dragged down the opposing quarterback 48.5 times in his career—and notably had nine sacks last season while only playing in 13 games. 

As Williams switches to the outside linebacker position in Phillips' 3-4 defense, I am expecting huge production out of him.

Josh Freeman

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Josh Freeman, better known as the comeback kid, will became one of the league's most dominating passers in 2011. 

Freeman was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 17th overall selection in the 2009 NFL draft and has nicely settled in as the team's franchise player.

In 2010, Freeman put up very impressive numbers as he tossed 25 touchdowns and was only picked off six times—even more notably, he was only picked off 3.1 percent of his passes thrown, which is simply incredible for a second-year quarterback.

Freeman's obvious "X-factor" is his ability to win games late for the Bucs, he's extremely clutch. Ever since Freeman entered the league in '09, he's led the NFL in fourth-quarter comebacks and game winning drives and a stellar total of seven.

2011 should be a Pro Bowl year for Freeman, as I strongly believe that he'll score at least 30 touchdowns through the air, as he'll lead the Buccaneers to a playoff berth out of the very tough NFC South.