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Normally I pay little attention to what rookie running backs are doing in training camp, but this season there are so many situations at this critical fantasy position that could change in the next month, well before September, that we have to be mindful of. The Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears have situations that deserve watching, because rookies who weren't big names on NFL draft day could become big names this season.

You know about Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart and Felix Jones, three college studs who went in the first round. While I can see scenarios in which all three put up numbers, but I don't see those lofty championship-winning goals coming to fruition this season. I do, however, see a few other backs a bit off the radar making waves in camp already.

With the Broncos, the name Selvin Young appears at the top of the depth chart, but raise your hand if you've been burned by a Denver running back before. Anybody not raising their hand? Ryan Torain might have been a steal in the fifth round, since he was highly regarded entering his senior season at Arizona State, but then dealt with injuries. According to ESPN AFC West blogger Bill Williamson, Torain has made quite an impression on coach Mike Shanahan. If anyone in camp is going to unseat Young, it's not Michael Pittman or Andre Hall, but Torain. (Mike Bell is now a Houston Texan, incidentally, and Travis Henry is sitting on his sofa playing Madden with Shaun Alexander.)

We all know Shanahan is hardly a friend of fantasy owners, and he's liable to do just about anything with his running backs, if the past performances of Reuben Droughns, Mike Anderson and Mike Bell are any indication. Torain should be drafted in fantasy leagues just on the chance he continues to have a big camp and catches Young, mainly because it would not be a shock.

Meanwhile, fantasy owners doing their homework are aware of Matt Forte with the Bears, but the Kevin Jones signing scared off owners. Don't be too concerned. Jones is currently not playing, as he's been placed on the physically unable to perform list, recovering from offseason knee surgery. There's no assurance Jones even begins the season as an active player. According to the Bears' Web site, Forte is doing so well in camp, that it's just a matter of time before he's practicing with the first-team offense. He's a power back who can get between the tackles, The Bears want to run and there might not be any competition at this point. Adrian Peterson -- that other Adrian Peterson -- kind of had his chance in 2007 when Cedric Benson proved irrelevant, but he looks more like Leon Washington, a third-down back at best.

Forte should be more in demand than Torain on your fantasy football draft day, despite the preconceived notion that any Denver running back is potentially a monster. I'd argue at this point any Broncos running back is just as likely to break your heart. Start thinking about Forte in the fourth round, Torain in the fifth or sixth. Never rely fully on rookies at any key position in fantasy, but don't forget about them, either.

As noted above, the Houston Texans signed Mike Bell, about 10 days after the Broncos released him. This might seem like a minor move, but note the Texans are currently viewing Ahman Green and Chris Brown as their main producers. Those guys aren't exactly durable, and Brown has already missed multiple days of practice with back spasms. Bell did well as a rookie with the Broncos, scoring eight touchdowns, but this move is most likely irrelevant in fantasy, with Darius Walker and rookie Steve Slaton also in the mix.

Wide receiver Chris Henry is very talented, but he's unemployed and might find it a bit harder to find work after the league suspended him for the first four games of the upcoming season. The Bengals released Henry this spring after his fifth arrest. Fantasy owners probably shouldn't invest a draft pick in Henry until he signs with a team, but if he does -- and no matter how troubled he is, you have to think some team will take the chance -- he can't be ignored. Henry scored 15 touchdowns his first two years in the league on only 67 receptions. For comparison, Greg Jennings scored 12 times on 53 catches last season. Henry has game, and he's likely to surface somewhere in the league soon.

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Speaking of suspensions, currently there is no word on the fate of Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who could face a suspension for multiple off-the-field issues during the past few seasons. Marshall is very talented and a top-15 wide receiver in most drafts, but I've shied away from him in leagues so far. Not only could he lose a third of his regular season, like Henry, but reports out of Broncos camp say Marshall might have on-field woes as well. "I think he's a little out of shape," quarterback Jay Cutler told The Denver Post. "I mean, he needs to run a little bit."

St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson is apparently serious about his holdout. As of this writing, he had missed a week of camp and 10 practices, as he looks for a multiyear contract. Jackson is entering the final year of the deal he signed as a rookie. Fantasy owners nearing draft day are probably going to overrate this situation and might end up avoiding Jackson, who is currently listed as our No. 5 overall pick. Hey, if you pick sixth or seventh, good for you.

Last week's notebook about the Giants potential running back by committee received interesting feedback. Hey, I didn't come up with this theory on my own, Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride basically said it. Anyway, to clarify my opinion, I think as camp goes on, we'll see Brandon Jacobs listed as the team's top running back, and he'll get the most touches, but it wouldn't shock me if Ahmad Bradshaw is right with him for touches come September. In keeping with our lawbreaker theme in this section, it should be noted Bradshaw does face possible incarceration for an old probation violation, but he would serve the jail time after the season. Did you know Bradshaw was also in jail this summer? Not a big deal in fantasy, because it's clear the courts are working around football season to accommodate Bradshaw's prison terms. On the field, the Giants expect Bradshaw to play a key role, as should you, and at this point I think he's at least a top-100 player on draft day.

Eric Karabell is a senior fantasy writer for ESPN.com. You can contact him here.