Teams face backfield dilemma

Updated: April 8, 2005, 11:13 AM ET

With several veteran running backs on the trade block, the agents for the three top RBs in this year's class are getting nervous.

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By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
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While this year's running back class is being touted as one of the best in more than a decade, most NFL teams would rather go with a proven veteran commodity. That's why we could still see Travis Henry (Bills), Shaun Alexander (Seahawks) and even Edgerrin James (Colts) dealt between now and the end of draft weekend. There are only a few teams in need of a No. 1 running back – the Dolphins, Buccaneers, Cardinals and possibly the Bears, who might be looking for an upgrade over Thomas Jones.

Even if you count the Bears as the fourth team in search of a starting running back, six running backs (Henry, Alexander, James, Auburn's Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams and Texas' Cedric Benson) are essentially fighting for four spots. That's why the agents for the top three running-back prospects in this year's class are starting to get nervous.

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