Calvin Johnson and 10 Offensive Players Who Will Take over the NFL After 2011

In sports, stars come and go. Especially in the NFL.

One year, you are hot. The next, you are a nobody. You could be a last round fantasy pick in 2011 and end up being in the first round for 2012.

We have seen the rise and fall of such stars like Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson and Albert Haynesworth. Players just don't stick around forever.

Some of these players are already considered stars, but they are on the verge of taking things to the next level. Many of these players are going to be the face of their position for years to come.

As we have seen, a star player can come from anywhere. Sometimes, guys pick it up their rookie season. Other guys, it takes three or four years for their name to get any star recognition.

These 10 guys are going to be what the NFL is about for the next few years.

Stevie Johnson

Team: Buffalo Bills

Position: Wide Receiver

Age: 25

2011 Stats: 28 receptions, three touchdowns and 343 total yards

Why

Stevie Johnson has already begun to make a name for himself, but he is not a hugely popular name yet. That is perhaps due to the fact that he is on the Buffalo Bills. 

Johnson is one of the most talented and effective wide receivers in the league. He has succeeded well with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and nothing against him, but imagine if Johnson was playing with a Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers? Fitzpatrick has still proven to be a great quarterback, and expect these two to continue to make noise with one another for years to come.

Colt McCoy

Team: Cleveland Browns

Position: Quarterback

Age: 25

2011 Stats: 58.1 completion percentage, 984 passing yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions

Why

2011 hasn't been as kind to Colt McCoy as 2010 was, but that doesn't mean the quarterback should already be called a bust. McCoy is on perhaps one of the worst teams in the NFL, but it won't be too long until McCoy is bringing this team back to true relevancy.

McCoy and the Browns are still missing a few pieces, but with running back Peyton Hillis, the Browns may have one of the premier one-two punches in the NFL for years to come.

Dez Bryant

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Position: Wide Receiver

Age: 22

2011 Stats: 10 receptions, three touchdowns and 171 total yards

Why

Dez Bryant is on a team of talented wide receivers. Unfortunately, they have a pretty inconsistent quarterback in Tony Romo. Both of those factors make it hard for Bryant to really produce at a consistent rate, but he certainly has the potential to be Calvin Johnson 2.0.

Bryant will have his chances, especially since Jerry Jones has put so much faith in the wideout. This may not be Bryant's year, but expect him to make a huge splash in 2012 and become of the most dangerous offensive players in the NFL.

Josh Freeman

Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Position: Quarterback

Age: 23

2011 Stats: 64 percent completion percentage, 1,156 total passing yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions

Why

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman has made a quick impact on the NFL. He has been starting the last three years, and he has kept the Bucs relevant the last two seasons.

In 2011, Freeman hasn't been greatly effective, having twice as many interceptions as touchdowns. Still, Freeman is still very young, and the Bucs are a piece or two away from being a great team and yearly contender. Freeman is arguably still raw, and has a lot to learn. Watch for Freeman to enter the elite quarterback ranks in the very near future.

Matt Forte

Team: Chicago Bears

Position: Running back

Age: 25

2011 Stats: 82 attempts, 440 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Why

Jay Cutler is the face of the Chicago Bears offense, but the real man who runs this offense is running back Matt Forte.

Forte hasn't had a chance to score since the Chicago Bears' offensive line is worst then many high schools. Still, Forte has a chance to put himself above others such as Chris Johnson and Frank Gore, while entering the class of Adrian Peterson. It is a tall order, but with a chance to have close to 2,000 yards on the ground this season, Forte could be the household name that no one knew.

Calvin Johnson

Team: Detroit Lions

Position: Wide Receiver

Age: 26

2011 Stats: 29 receptions, nine touchdowns and 451 total yards

Why

Mega-tron. Need I say anymore? The Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson has quickly become one of the best offensive threats in the NFL. He could already be considered a superstar, but he honestly hasn't entered the level of stardom as players such as Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson or Jerry Rice. He will, though.

Things are going great for the Lions for once. Even with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Lions are going to be a great team the rest of this season, and that is due almost entirely to the threat of Calvin Johnson.

Ryan Mathews

Team: San Diego chargers

Position: Running back

Age: 24

2011 Stats: 85 attempts, 413 yards and three touchdowns

Why

The San Diego Chargers have a prolific passing game led by Phillip Rivers. They also have a very talented running back in Ryan Mathews. Mathews' season was cut short last year after sustaining an injury that never brought him back to full form.

This season, Mathews has looked more effective, but the shadow of LT will never be easy for anyone to fulfill. Mathews has still a lot of improvement to make, but he should be a considered one of the better running backs come 2012 or 2013.

Jahvid Best

Team: Detroit Lions

Position: Running back

Age: 22

2011 Stats: 72 attempts, 353 yards and two touchdowns

Why

Like teammate Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best looks to have a bright future on a team that looks to make an impact for years to come. Best has seen his fair share of injuries in college an in the NFL, so his durability is definitely in question whenever his name is brought up. Still, that doesn't mean the potential isn't there.

Best could be one of the most dangerous running backs in the NFL. He will be overshadowed by the effectiveness of Calvin Johnson, but when the Lions feel stopped with the pass, they always have an effective second option in their backfield.

LeSean McCoy

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Position: Running back

Age: 23

2011 Stats: 77 attempts, 443 yards and five touchdowns

Why

Within a turmoil year for the highly touted Philadelphia Eagles, LeSean McCoy has been a bright spot. With a mobile and strong passing quarterback like Michael Vick, it can be hard for a running back to really be effective, but McCoy has taken advantage when he has had the opportunity.

McCoy is looking like the Eagles best option every game, so look for his numbers to increase as the Eagles try to find a way to at least get as many wins as possible in a relatively weak NFC East.

Beanie Wells

Team: Arizona Cardinals

Position: Running back

Age: 23

2011 Stats: 79 attempts, 381 yards and six touchdowns

Why

The Arizona Cardinals' offense has not looked pretty this season. That being said, running back Beanie Wells has been incredible effective.

The Cardinals had high hopes coming into the season with new quarterback Kevin Kolb, but it seems like Wells has been the one doing the most for this offense. Wells was a great player in college, and he has silently become one of the biggest threats on the ground in the NFL.