Running backs: After elite go, make a run at these guys

The days of automatically taking two running backs in the first two rounds are over. Once Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Frank Gore and Michael Turner are off the board, there is no clear back to take. Many running backs are in a timeshare, so if you miss out on the elite, there are still some good options in the middle rounds. Here are some RBs drawing attention.

Jamaal Charles (Chiefs): It doesn't matter if he starts. It doesn't matter if he is second on the depth chart behind Thomas Jones. The bottom line is Charles is the better back and he will get more touches. Charles can create his own space and showed what he can do behind a subpar offensive line with a great stretch to end last season. Jones played behind a great Jets offensive line and won't be as effective with the Chiefs. Jones might vulture some TDs, but Charles shouldn't be downgraded, especially in Points per Reception (PPR) leagues.

Marion Barber (Cowboys): Felix Jones has been the first Cowboys running back taken in most drafts and the disparity in rounds between him and Barber is sometimes three rounds. Barber is the better value. Jones has missed 12 games in two seasons. Barber was clearly playing through an injured quadriceps last season and still rushed for 932 yards, averaged 4.4 yards per carry and scored seven TDs. In five seasons, Barber has averaged 4.3 ypc and scored 25 TDs. Expect Barber to get most of the goal-line carries.

Michael Bush (Raiders): If he gets the bulk of the carries in the Raiders backfield, he could be very productive. He's already in the lead over Darren McFadden, who has yet to play in the preseason because of a hamstring injury. Bush had both of the Raiders' 100-yard rushing games last season. He had six games of double-digit carries and in four of them he averaged at least 4.6 yards per carry. His career YPC is 4.6. Getting Bush as a No. 3 or No. 4 RB is good value.

Reggie Bush (Saints): Bush is much better in a PPR league. He should get more touches with the season-ending injury to Lynell Hamilton and the Saints aren't afraid to throw him the ball near the goal-line.

Ronnie Brown (Dolphins): There is no doubt about his talent, but he is very risky. He has one 1,000-yard season in five years. An injury has ended Brown's season in two of the last three seasons.

Ahmad Bradshaw (Giants): Bradshaw played with bone spurs in his ankles and cracks in his feet last season and had 985 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns. The speedy Bradshaw is a threat to score any time he touches the ball and is a better option than the injury-prone Brandon Jacobs.

Ryan Mathews (Chargers): Sometimes people shy away from rookies, but running backs usually make the quickest impact in the NFL. He has the size and speed to be a feature back and Norv Turner has a great history with running backs. He will be a top running back.