Green Bay tailback Ryan Grant is in negotiations with the Detroit Lions -- and an agreement could be finalized shortly -- but things remain quiet for most unrestricted free agent tailbacks even after the draft.

Veteran runners such as Cedric Benson, Jackie Battle, Joseph Addai and Tim Hightower haven't heard from many clubs, some of whom were expected to add runners after the lottery.

Hightower and Addai recently auditioned in New England, but there hasn't been any hard feedback from Patriots' officials. Battle appeared to be in demand early in the free agency process, but the market seems to have gone away from him.

With 19 tailbacks chosen in the draft, and the trend toward selecting younger players at a position noted for its short shelf-life, veteran backs may be forced to sign one-year, minimum salary contracts, if they are even offered deals at all.