So, with that in mind, we've compiled this list of last year's hot finishers based on the final quarter of the season:
1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee (497 rushing, 181 receiving 6 tds = 103.8 pts)
No surprise here. Johnson was the hottest fantasy player throughout the 2009 season and should continue to produce well in 2010. Don't expect him to duplicate his numbers this year, however, as the Titans most likely will look to lighten his load somewhat to save some wear and tear on his body and lengthen his career.
2. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City (658 rushing, 79 receiving, 4 tds = 97.7 pts)
As Larry Johnson fell out of favor with the current coaching staff, the Chiefs turned more and more to Charles, and he responded with numbers over the final quarter of the 2009 season that were surpassed by only Johnson. Charles appears to have the potential to be a future star, but muddying the waters in Kansas City somewhat is the addition of Thomas Jones, who was second in the league in rushing last year and is likely to take a lot of carries away from the youngster.
3. Jerome Harrison, Cleveland (570 rushing, 42 receiving, 5 tds = 91.2 pts)
After veteran Jamal Lewis was lost to injury, the Browns turned to Harrison who ran wild over the last three games of the 2009 season and set a Browns' single-game record of 286 yards rushing against the Chiefs in week 15. Now that Lewis has been released, Harrison could be set to explode onto the fantasy scene in 2010.
4. Frank Gore, San Francisco (452 rushing, 135 receiving, 4 tds = 82.7 pts)
Slowed for much of the year by an ankle injury early in the season, Gore came on strong as he grew healthier and adjusted to the team's use of more of a spread offense. He should remain a solid first-round selection again in 2010.
5. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota (280 rushing, 157 receiving, 6 tds = 79.7 pts)
From a yardage standpoint, Peterson really didn't finish that well by his own standards, but his ability to find the end zone was tops over the final quarter of the season. There's always the potential, of course, for lost points with the dominating ball carrier because of his fumbling problems, but he remains a popular top pick for good reason. If he puts it all together in 2010 and learns how to hold onto the football, he has the potential to become football's premier fantasy player.
6. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina (469 rushing, 30 receiving, 4 tds = 73.9 pts)
Despite sharing carries with DeAngelo Williams for most of the season, Stewart was among last season's top finishers. But therein is where the problem lies. It's tough to predict which back is going to get the Lion's share of carries from week to week, which could lead to a frustrating situation for fantasy owners. Stewart received more than 20 carries only in games in which Williams was out due to injury and it's likely that will be the case again in 2010.
7. Ryan Grant, Green Bay (322 rushing, 7 receiving, 6 tds = 68.9 pts)
Like Peterson, Grant's yardage totals over the last four weeks aren't eye-popping, but he did manage to crack the end zone six times during that stretch. Grant is a steady performer on the ground in a Packers' attack that features a potent passing attack, but he generally isn't going to post dominating numbers on the ground. With the TDs not likely to continue coming in bunches for Grant, he's probably no better than a second-round pick in your fantasy draft.
8. Thomas Jones, Kansas City (334 rushing, -2 receiving, 5 tds = 63.2 points)
Jones continues to defy Father Time, posting great numbers while on the wrong side of the age of 30. Normally that number would be a red flag for fantasy owners, but Jones' conditioning is incredible. The bigger concern is that he is now sharing a backfield in Kansas City with the up-and-coming Jamaal Charles, which means Jones will most likely be in a platoon situation at best.
9. Ray Rice, Baltimore (464 rushing, 103 receiving, 1 tds = 62.7 pts)
Pegged by many (us included) to emerge as one of fantasy football's elite performers in 2010, Rice posted big numbers down the stretch and was sixth in the league for the season in rushing yards. Problem is, he loses carries at the goal line to the bigger Willis McGahee. To become a truly elite fantasy back, he must get those touchdown totals into double digits.
10. Maurice Jones-Drew (314 rushing, 95 receiving, 3 td = 58.9)
A popular pick among the elite fantasy backs, Jones-Drew should remain in that position again in 2010. His numbers over the final four games of the 2009 season weren't anything special, but he was fourth in the league overall running the ball and scored 16 touchdowns on the season.