‘Tis the season. So you may have heard. You’re out there arduously searching for that perfect gift, something that will pleasantly surprise your friends or family. But sometimes that’s a challenge. Fortunately, fantasy football has provided that for you this year, dropping some unexpected surprises down your proverbial fantasy football chimney … overachieving fantasy quarterbacks and waiver wire wide receivers who won you that tough week 10 battle or got you through a bye week. Today, I’m discussing 10 of those most surprising fantasy players from this fake football season, through week 14. As these fantasy football finds have proven to be, I’m just here to be a blessing this holiday season.

10. Jordan Cameron, Tight End, Cleveland Browns 

I give all the props for Cameron’s breakout success to this video featuring his own personal pimp, the car-hopping human highlight dunker himself, Blake Griffin, where—speaking of old school—Griffin goes all Mars Blackmon on us. [not sure how to incorporate video? Or even if necessary? http://youtu.be/hA56v0-Ey0A] Personally, I went all in, drafting J-Bone in every league I am in. Literally, every league. He was drafted around No. 12 in drafts and yet, he’s not disappointed, over the long haul, sitting as the No. 4 scoring tight end. His projected season totals are 1000 yards and 8 touchdowns. Granted, he had a four week stretch of four or fewer points, yet he’s outscored the likes of fellow tight ends Jason Witten, Greg Olsen, and Antonio Gates on the year. Thanks for the tip, Blakester.

9. Fred Jackson, Running Back, Buffalo Bills 

Is there anything less sexy than discussing Fred Jackson as a fantasy stud? I mean, other than a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show … with the Duck Dynasty guys as the models? Jackson came into the year as the clear-cut handcuff to C.J. Spiller. He’s old, by running back standards, at 32. He’s had multiple knee injuries. Heck, the guy’s even suited up for the Sioux City Bandits of the National Indoor Football League and the Rhein Fire of NFL Europa, before finding success with the Bills. All he’s done this year is score eight touchdowns and total nearly 1,000 yards. To date, only 11 running backs have more fantasy points. Nice fantasy surprise from a former—um, how would you say that—Fire-man?  

8. Alex Smith, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

OK, perhaps I was wrong. Discussing Alex Smith might be less sexy than discussing Fred Jackson as a viable fantasy asset. If I’d told before the year began, that through 14 weeks, Smith would have more points than Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, and even Robert Griffin III, you’d want to know what I was smoking. Rightfully so. Yet, he’s firmly entrenched in the top 12 of fantasy quarterbacks. Many experts would say that Smith is a solid quarterback in real life, but not so much in the fantasy world. And that’s certainly the impression one gets when watching Chiefs games. But take away the three games under 10 points, and he’s averaging a healthy 19.5 points per game. He mostly takes what other teams are giving, and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have the uber dynamic Jamaal Charles as a fallback to keep defenses honest. But you could do worse. You just might choose to not watch the actual games, when starting him in your leagues.

7. Nick Foles, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles 

I won’t even use the played out Napoleon Dynamite look-a-like angle here. I won’t stoop to that level, and say that Foles has better throwing mechanics than Uncle Rico. That would be cheap and far too easy. Instead, I’ll say that in his eight starts for Chip Kelly’s crazy offensive scheme, Foles has disappointed but once, the week 7 dud against Dallas. Some might say the talent surrounding him—specifically, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson—makes his success a no-brainer. But, let’s not forget it didn’t work out quite so well for Michael Vick, injuries aside. He’s embraced the offensive system efficiently, totaling 20 touchdowns to only two turnovers, and averaging over 23 points per start. Not too shabby for Uncle Rico’s nephew.

6. Trent Richardson, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts 

I hate to hop off the love train here, but I must interject one negative to this illustrious list of fantasy football surprises. Unlike some of his fellow early draft running back disappointments—guys like Arian Foster and Doug Martin—Richardson was given full and complete opportunity as the feature back in not just one, but two systems, after his trade from Cleveland to Indianapolis. He’s on pace for just over 800 yards and a couple of touchdowns. For a guy who was pretty universally drafted in the top 10 overall, he’s not even in the top 40 of running backs this season. Yikes. Let’s all hope he can indoctrinate himself into the Colts system during this coming off-season. Yes, I already checked; tickets for the TRich Love Train will be good for the 2014 season. You’re welcome. 

5. Charles Clay, Tight End, Miami Dolphins 

For your standard, run-of-the-mill, under the radar players who have ridiculously over-achieved this year, look no further than one Charles Clay. Clay wasn’t even drafted in the top 50. Not overall, mind you; rather, the top 50 of TIGHT ENDS selected! Behind the likes of Zach Sudfeld, Kyle Adams, David Paulson et al. And yet, he’s on pace to finish with 800 yards and 8 touchdowns. That’s more than the projections for Ray Rice or C.J. Spiller. Let that sink in. He’s versatile, having lined up—and scored—as a fullback, and played at U.T. No, not the University of Texas. Or the University of Tennessee. The powerhouse Golden Hurricane, from the University of Tulsa. Well done, Mr. Hurricane, well done.

4.  Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver, San Diego Chargers

OK, I’ll come clean. When I first saw Keenan Allen’s name on the waiver wire, all I could think of was standup comedy. Keenan Ivory Wayans. Kenan Thompson. Yet, Allen’s rise to fantasy and real world football is—wait for it—nothing to laugh about. And gold stars for every fantasy owner who jumped on Allen early, and didn’t drink the Eddie Royal kool-aid from the first two weeks, when Royal totaled five touchdowns, and over 40 fantasy points. Buried on the Chargers depth chart out of training camp, and only seeing playing time thanks to injuries to Malcom Floyd and Danario Alexander, Allen didn’t even play in week one. Yet, he will almost assuredly end up in the top 20 of all wide receivers this year. And, just imagine Allen over a full season? Projections for a full year look to be 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns. Yes, I’ll attend that show weekly.

3. Knowshon Moreno, Running Back, Denver Broncos 

The winner of Denver’s early season Rock, Paper, Scissors contest has been remarkably consistent. With only three weeks of less than 10 points scored in standard leagues, he ranks in the top four of running backs in Fantasy Football, and has essentially become Peyton Manning’s personal Rock. He excels in picking up the blitz—therefore further procuring Manning’s trust, and is more than capable of catching dump-downs out of the backfield. Montee Ball continues to, rightfully so, cut into some of his touches, so there’s that. BUT, given Mr. Rock’s ADP was a paltry #46 among running backs and #161 overall, I think we’d all agree that Paper and Scissors just don’t make the cut for this list. See what I just did there?

2. Philip Rivers, Quarterback, San Diego Chargers

Yes, we’re rolling back the clock for a little San Diego Chargers theme song and powder blue unis. Most seem to either love Rivers’ passion for the game, or loathe his propensity for talking trash. Be that what it may, as of week 13, only 5 quarterbacks (Manning, Drew Brees, Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford, Andrew Luck) have compiled more fantasy points than Rivers. He’ll certainly challenge 4,500 yards this year, and he’s taking care of the football; his touchdown to turnover ratio (26 : 10) is a far-cry from the past two years, when he was at (26 : 22) and (27 : 25) . Given the flux of high-end quarterback talent in the league, a new coach and offensive coordinator, and his top two wide receiver options going down in the first couple weeks of the season … I surely didn’t see this coming. I’ll call you a ‘liar, liar, pants on fire’ if you tell me you did either. OK. Maybe I leave the trash-talking to Rivers.

1. Josh Gordon, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns 

You’re rolling your eyes here. I get it. Honestly, on this final selection, I feel a bit like Chris Farley, R.I.P, in those timeless Saturday Night Live skits, where he continuously makes redundant and obvious statements to and about his guests. Here, where I should sell you on the _________ (YOU fill in the appropriate adjective here … awesomeness?) of the high-flying, nearly unstoppable Gordon, it just feels like we’re still selling the guy short. Like Farley, perhaps after saying anything about Gordon, I need to slap my own forehead and call myself an idiot.

I mean, Gordon has eclipsed literally all expectations, and has entered the fabled Calvin Johnson Megatron High-Rent District for wide receivers. The dude missed the first two games. Every defense is game-planning to shut him down. He’s caught passes from three different quarterbacks, none of which would be confused with a Hall of Famer, much less a Pro Bowler. Even with a couple of stinker games of less than five fantasy points, he’s still averaged 18 points per game, with eight touchdowns and nearly 1,500 yards. So, like with Farley in his prime, we should all sit back and enjoy the greatness that is the Josh Gordon show.

So … my list of 10 Fantasy Surprises has been made. And I've checked it twice. Now it’s your turn. What running back or wide receiver made your list? Oh, and don’t forget to leave cookies and milk out. Or, maybe even some nachos and an adult beverage.