Running backs in the NFL can often become the focal point of an offense and achieve stardom, but the truth is most running backs that seem destined for big things just never pan out. In the last few years, there have been some big-name running backs that have made a huge impact in their rookie season, but this year’s class doesn’t look like the deepest of running back classes. There are no clear first-year stars like Adrian Peterson, but there are some talented young men who could help a team win some games over the long run.

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I’ve put together a list of the top 10 running back prospects in this year’s draft, followed by an honorable mention list of five players. Keep in mind, most of the guys near the bottom of this list will never be big-name stars in the league, but every once in a while, there is a diamond in the rough found. Here are your top running backs in the NFL Draft from Doc’s Sports for 2010:

• C.J. Spiller, Clemson- Spiller can do just about everything on the football field, and he does all of it well. C.J. is certainly the best playmaker in this year’s running back class. Cullen Harper struggled all year at Clemson, but Spiller was still able to average 5.6 yards per carry and catch 36 passes for 503 yards. Expect Spiller to instantly be a huge impact player on special teams, and work his way into being a starter in the backfield.

• Ryan Matthews, Fresno State- Matthews wowed at the NFL Combine, proving to be a legitimate first round draft possibility. The fact that he ran a 4.41 in the 40 was a nice surprise, and he is also proving that he could be valuable catching the ball out of the backfield. Expect Matthews to get drafted in the first round, and count on him to make an impact sooner than most would assume.

• Jahvid Best, California- Best is a speedster who has the potential to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. If it weren’t for his head injury at the end of the season, he would be battling Spiller for the top spot. The success of Chris Johnson will help a guy like Best get drafted early, since teams have seen what pure speed can do.

• Toby Gerhart, Stanford- Gerhart strikes me as someone that the experts will always doubt, but the guy is just mentally and physically as tough as nails. One of the big surprises of the combine was Gerhart’s impressive 40 time of 4.53. He is the strongest running back in this class and is a load to bring down. Someone will get a nice surprise when they draft Gerhart.

• Joe McKnight, USC- USC had a down season last year, but it wasn’t McKnight’s fault at all. He has gotten stronger in the past few months to try to make sure he can take the beating the NFL will bring. McKnight cuts extremely well and is a tough back to bring down, because of his great shifts.

• Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss- McCluster ran just a 4.55 40-yard dash at the combine, but if you watched the Rebels at all last year, you understand this man is fast! His small stature will keep him from getting drafted too high, but he is a nice Percy Harvin-type of player that could play in the backfield or at wide receiver.

• Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech- Dwyer has hurt his cause in the last month or two, but he’ll still get a chance from someone in the NFL. He is only 5-feet-11, and he ran just a 4.59 40-yard dash. Some coaches have a problem with his weight and believe he should trim down. Dwyer will have to make a big adjustment from the option offense of Georgia Tech to the NFL.

• Montario Hardesty, Tennessee- Hardesty had an impressive year for the Volunteers, and he possesses a great ability to catch the football out of the backfield. Montario performed well at the combine and showed impressive speed for a powerful running back. Hardesty’s stock has risen in the last few weeks.

• Ben Tate, Auburn- Tate had a great senior season, averaging 5.2 yards per carry for the year. Tate was a beast at the NFL combine, putting up 225 pounds an amazing 26 times and running a 4.45 40-yard dash. These are the types of numbers that help out in a big way!

• Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State- Dixon proved able to shoulder the load for Mississippi State last season, with almost zero help from the passing game. He has great vision and has the tools to be an asset for a team, but he lacks breakaway speed and will probably go fairly late in the draft.

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Honorable Mention

• Andre Dixon, Connecticut
• LeGarrette Blount, Oregon
• Keiland Williams, LSU
• Stafon Johnson, USC
• Andre Anderson, Tulane