A few years ago, when NFL coaches decided in their infinite wisdom that running back by committee was the prudent way to go to build an offense, the stud running backs of fantasy football started disappearing.

Today, in the wake of the injury to Brian Westbrook (ankle), and the nonproductivity of Steven Jackson, those studs are nearly extinct.

Right now, the Cowboys’ Marion Barber is the only back out there who has earned that bonafide “stud” label through the first three weeks of the season. And even he has had his production cut into by talented rookie Felix Jones, who has scored a touchdown in all three games.

There are other backs out there who have been extremely productive — Michael Turner (Atlanta), Frank Gore (San Francisco), Reggie Bush (New Orleans), Marshawn Lynch (Buffalo) — but none with the consistency of Barber. As a fantasy owner, it’s time to admit that the studs are going away, and they’re not likely to come back anytime soon.

The fact is, only about half the owners in your league are going to have one sure running back start every week. Everyone else is going to have to look at matchups and try to piece together a productive running game with a number of different faces every Sunday.

Once owners concede that point, their fantasy lives will be a lot less stressful. Instead of trying to engineer that trade that brings you the best running back tandem in the league, it might be wiser to spend your time trying to strengthen your team in other areas.

Understand, I’m not saying trade away all your good running backs for receivers and quarterbacks. I’m saying try to build a more well-rounded team. You’re not likely to pry a Barber or a Turner or a Gore from anybody without gutting your team. It could be a lot less expensive to trade for some receivers who have struggled out of the gate and may help you in the near future.

Guys like Marvin Harrison (Indianapolis), Andre Johnson (Houston), Santonio Holmes (Pittsburgh) and Roy Williams (Detroit) are off to slow starts. Their owners might be in panic mode, and it might not take much to get them on your roster. Instead of targeting the top-tier backs, you can make your squad stronger by targeting some good receivers.

The waiver wire in your league has probably been picked over pretty well by now, but there may still be some decent players out there.

It’s likely the most popular pick-up in just about every league this week will be Philadelphia running back Correll Buckhalter. Whether you have Brian Westbrook or not, it makes sense to try to add him to your roster.

If Westbrook is out for any length of time, Buckhalter should put up decent numbers in his absence. Other running backs to consider off the wire are Denver’s Michael Pittman, Baltimore’s LeRon McClain and the Saints’ Pierre Thomas.

Another waiver wire favorite this week, if he’s not already on someone’s roster, will likely be 49er quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan. He’s posted decent numbers the last two weeks and, with so many bigger name quarterbacks either injured or faltering, passers are in high demand.

The best of the rest among free agent QBs are probably Brian Griese of Tampa Bay, Kerry Collins of Tennessee, Kyle Orton of Chicago and Chad Pennington of Miami. All are suitable back-ups but won’t do much as every week starters.

Two of the more popular receivers getting picked-up this week should be the Giants’ Amani Toomer and Tampa Bay’s Ike Hilliard. Both are starters and both seem to be building good rapport with their quarterbacks. Other receivers to consider are Chicago’s Brandon Lloyd, Philadelphia’s Hank Baskett and Buffalo’s Roscoe Parrish.

The only tight end name that sticks out this week is Tampa Bay’s Jerramy Stevens. He returned to the team in Week 3 and promptly caught five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown against the Bears.