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Unless you're in a deep league, a keeper league or one that starts two quarterbacks, there aren't any rookie quarterbacks that will make a big fantasy football impact in 2010.

That's not the case for rookie running backs.

Here are my top ten rookie running backs in fantasy football for 2010:

1. Ryan Mathews, Chargers: Mathews, who ranked second in college football in rushing last season, has the combination of skills and projected number of touches to put him at the top of this list. Chargers coach Norv Turner projects Mathews to get around 250 carries. Only nine running backs had more than that amount in 2009.

2. C.J. Spiller, Bills: No other running back in the rookie class has more pure talent than Spiller. And on any given play, Spiller, who was the first running back drafted, could turn it into a highlight-reel play. He has elite speed, but he will share the workload with Fred Jackson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year.

3. Ben Tate, Texans: While projecting workloads for the Texans' backfield is risky, Steve Slaton, who rushed for 1,282 yards as a rookie in 2008, is coming off surgery and his pre-surgery fumble-itis landed him in coach Gary Kubiak's doghouse. So, the job is Tate's for the taking if he can beat out Slaton, Arian Foster and Ryan Moats in camp and my bet is that the 58th-overall pick can.

4. Jahvid Best, Lions: The fantasy value of Best, who was drafted at the tail end of round one, is partly tied to the rehab of Kevin Smith, his backfield mate. Smith had a disappointing (and injury-shortened season) after a solid second half to his rookie season. At worst, Best will split carries with Smith. But Tom Kowalski of MLive.com writes that even with a healthy Smith, "Best likely will get the bulk of the workload."

5. Montario Hardesty, Browns: It says something when you break a rushing record set by Hall-of-Famer Jim Brown as Jerome Harrison in week 15 (286 yards). It also says something when the team drafts another back in the second round. Hardesty is a big back that projects to (at least) get the short yardage work. But considering Harrison had 106 carries in the final three games and 88 carries in his other ten games, it wouldn't surprise me to see Hardesty win the starting job in Cleveland.

6. Toby Gerhart, Vikings: Although he a second-round pick and Heisman finalist, Gerhart will back up the league's best all-around (and second-rated fantasy) running back. In addition, the Vikings have a potent pass offense led by Brett Favre. He is a physical runner, who could receive goalline carries. With the departure of Chester Taylor to Chicago, Gerhart will get touches and should be drafted by Peterson owners as a handcuff.

7. Dexter McCluster, Chiefs: With a similar skillset to Chargers RB Darren Sproles, McCluster does a lot of things well while lacking the size to be a durable, every-down back. Since most leagues don't reward return yardage and the Chiefs already have Jamal Charles and Thomas Jones on their roster, his fantasy impact will much more limited than his "real" impact. Also, McCluster will have more value in a point-per-reception (PPR) format.

8. Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers: Dwyer lasted much longer than projected in the NFL Draft. Backing up Rashard Mendenhall doesn't bode well for Dwyer's 2010 fantasy value, but it would be wise for Mendenhall owners to handcuff him with Dwyer.

9. Anthony Dixon, 49ers: Frank Gore must be happy as many mock drafts projected the Niners to draft Spiller, who went before San Francisco was on the clock. The Niners drafted two offensive linemen in round one (and Dixon in the sixth round). While Gore will get the bulk of work in the offense, Dixon is a big back (233 pounds) that was a four-year starter for Mississippi State.

10. Joe McKnight, Jets: Drafting McKnight, who was teammate of quarterback Mark Sanchez at USC, made Leon Washington, who's now in Seattle, expendable. With Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson ahead of McKnight on the depth chart and the acquisition of suspended (four games) receiver Santonio Holmes, McKnight's offensive touches may be limited.

This week, I will also release my rookie rankings for wide receivers and tight ends in fantasy football.