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We are in the eighth week of NFL free agency, and the position to which it has been most unkind is running back. Due to the ever-increasing emphasis on passing offense and the punishing nature of the running back position, teams see less and less value in investing big money in the position. So as the calender flipped to May, a number of veteran running backs with pretty good résumés remained on the open market.

All four teams in our division could conceivably still be in the market for a veteran running back. The Washington Redskins continue to negotiate with Tim Hightower, who was last year's starter before he tore his ACL, and would like him to come back to front an otherwise young running back corps that leaned on 2011 draft picks Roy Helu and Evan Royster over the final weeks of the season. The New York Giants, having lost Brandon Jacobs to free agency, picked David Wilson in this year's first round, but given the youth of their backup plans behind starter Ahmad Bradshaw, it wouldn't be ridiculous for them to bring a veteran back into camp.

The Philadelphia Eagles whiffed on Ronnie Brown as LeSean McCoy's backup last year and have plenty of intriguing youngsters at the position now, but they don't know what to expect from Dion Lewis or Bryce Brown or Chris Polk. And even the Dallas Cowboys, with DeMarco Murray as the starter and veteran Felix Jones as the backup, could stand to add some depth.

So here's a look at the top 10 remaining free-agent running backs and what they might bring if one of our division's teams were to sign them.

Ryan Grant. Rushed for a total of 2,456 yards in 2008 and 2009 as the Packers' starting running back, but an injury in the 2010 season opener cost him that whole season. Showed flashes of his old form in 2011, averaging 4.2 yards on his 134 carries, and he's 29 years old. Might be looking to start somewhere. He was talking to the Lions this week.

Thomas Jones. The graybeard of this group, Jones will turn 34 in August, and his days as a full-time starter are behind him. Might still be able to help in the passing game, but as a runner he'd be well down the depth chart. Well-regarded veteran locker room presence who might help the development of the younger guys who are getting the carries in a place like Washington.

Joseph Addai. Another 29-year-old who's struggled with injuries and probably needs a part-time role to better his chances of staying healthy. Even in his prime as an Indianapolis Colt, Addai was never a 20-carry-per-game guy. His value there was mainly as a receiver and as a blocker in the passing game. But there are some teams in this division that might be looking for a part-time guy who's good at that stuff.

Cedric Benson. He topped 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons as the workhorse back in Cincinnati. Some say he chafed at the part-time role that developed for him as the 2011 season wore on, but at this point in the market he must see that a part-time role is his only option. Has had off-field issues that could scare teams away, but aside from that he might be a nice fit with Bradshaw in New York.

Tim Hightower. The Redskins loved him as a runner, receiver and pass-blocker, and would have him back in a second as their starter if they were sure about his knee. But he hasn't signed yet, and a recent visit to New England indicates he's looking for more than the Redskins are willing to offer.

LaDainian Tomlinson. One of the best ever at the position and a possible Hall of Famer, Tomlinson could be looking at retirement as he comes up on his 33rd birthday next month. But if he wants to play and can approach the level he showcased in 2010 with the Jets, he's the kind of guy who'd get a young running back's attention.

Cadillac Williams. Another 30-year-old for whom injuries have been the dominant story in recent years. He can be a more than productive backup with starter potential if he can stay on the field, but he generally can't.

Ronnie Brown. Only twice in the past five years has the 30-year-old Brown had 200 carries in a season. He was never able to assert himself as the starter in Miami, and as the Eagles' backup last year he was pretty much a complete disaster. It's going to be tough for Brown to sell himself as a reliable backup with what he showed in 2011.

Justin Forsett. He's small and quick and doesn't have a lot of miles on him. He won't turn 27 until October. The question is how much you can get out of him, and in what role. He's not a power runner, but he's good at finding holes. He accelerates well but doesn't have great top-end speed. He catches the ball well but isn't much help as a blocker in the passing game. Someone will sign him, and if they find the right role he could be a good change-up back for someone. It just feels as though each NFC East team already has someone like him.

Maurice Morris. Morris is 32 but has never been a regular feature back. He's been under 100 carries in each of the past three years, and of all of the backs on this list he has the most experience in the kind of part-time role we're talking about. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and doesn't mind playing special teams. He will find a home.

If Andy Reid was trying not to show anything on offense in Friday's preseason game in Kansas City, he did a remarkable job. The Eagles lost their most explosive player, DeSean Jackson, on their first possession to what Reid called a neck strain and then defensive end Trent Cole was carted off the field with an ankle injury. Neither injury looks too serious, although Cole will have an MRI on Saturday. Here's some observations I've made after watching a replay of the game:

• Scary injury to Chiefs rookie linebacker Cameron Sheffield in the third quarter. I sort of lost interest in the game after that. Sheffield wasn't moving his arms or legs as he was carted off the field. Hoping we have some encouraging news on him soon.

• Perhaps the Eagles gave up on Andy Studebaker too quickly. He had two sacks in the first half for the Chiefs and celebrated as if we were in Week 8. And early in the fourth quarter, it was Studebaker who forced Kevin Kolb to unload the ball before he was ready in the red zone.

• Cornerback Asante Samuel's been looking for a 5-foot-7 player to tackle for years. Rookie Dexter McCluster gave him that opportunity late in the second quarter. That was a pretty nice hit, although the flexing after the tackle was a bit much. McCluster's going to be a fan favorite in Kansas City. Probably the most entertaining player on the field once Jackson made his exit.

• I liked how rookie defensive end Brandon Graham stood his ground when Todd Haley tried to run the ball into the end zone in the second quarter. He then came back with a nice bull rush on the Chiefs' right tackle. Ernie Sims should've had the interception on the awful pass from Matt Cassel. He threw a touchdown on the next play. Looked like Quintin Mikell and Samuel were trying to decide who's fault it was. I thought Samuel was out of position on the play.

• How do you not throw those crossing patterns to Jeremy Maclin all the time? It's impossible to cover. I didn't think Maclin was aggressive enough in going for some of Kolb's passes. On the deep ball in the first half, Maclin allowed Brandon Carr to rip the ball away. Then Maclin dropped a ball late in the first half when he felt Carr closing fast.

• Left tackle Jason Peters picked up right where he left off last season with some untimely false starts. The second false start knocked the Eagles out of field goal position.

• Late in the first half, Todd Haley called a delayed draw to Jamaal Charles and defensive end Darryl Tapp really made a weak attempt on the tackle. On the same drive, Ernie Sims couldn't make a play on Charles in the open field after he caught a swing pass from Cassel. I kept reading how Sims was destroying his teammates in camp, but Chiefs running backs were bouncing off him for additional yardage Friday.

• Somebody better teach Kevin Kolb how to slide -- and I mean now. He moves really well, but he can't keep leading with his head or we'll be seeing a lot of Michael Vick this season.

• Best literary retweet of the evening: Daily News beat man Les Bowen retweeted this from HighCheese: "Kafka known for ability to portray despair, not lead football team out of it."

• Chad Hall was shaky on punt returns in the second half. Hopefully he'll make it to the practice squad because there's not going to be a spot for him on the 53-man roster.

• Kolb made a really poor decision to throw it up for grabs on the interception in the third quarter. Maclin didn't have a chance to make the play because he was bracketed by a cornerback and safety. Easy pick for Kendrick Lewis, a fifth-round pick out of Ole Miss.

• Rookie linebacker Jamar Chaney took a really poor angle on the Thomas Jones touchdown run in the third quarter. Looked like the big tight end Leonard Pope held Quintin Demps on the play. Chiefs broadcasters laud Jones for his willingness to bypass autographs seekers in order to spend extra time in the weight room. Someone get this man an Ed Block Courage award.

• I was not impressed with Bobby April's coverage units. McCluster gave the Eagles fits on kickoff returns.

• Rookie cornerback Trevard Lindley has shown flashes, but I didn't like him in run support in the fourth quarter. McCluster made one little inside move and Lindley went flying out of the picture. On another McCluster run in the fourth quarter, defensive end Ricky Sapp allowed himself to be driven off the ball, leaving a large running lane.

• Really nice play by defensive end Eric Moncur to bring down McCluster in the backfield in the fourth quarter. The play pushed the Chiefs out of field goal range.

• Rookie left tackle Austin Howard has been impressive this preseason, but he was beaten badly on an inside move by a reserve Chiefs defensive end and Mike Kafka was sacked. In other rookie news, linebacker Keenan Clayton made a really nice open-field tackle to force the Chiefs to punt in the fourth quarter.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan is gambling that former Chiefs running back Larry Johnson will be so thankful to have a job that he won't be a distraction in the locker room. I'm not so sure that Johnson's ability warrants taking that type of risk.

In 2005 and 2006, Johnson was one of the two or three best backs in the league. He had back-to-back 1,700-yard seasons, but in '06, he had a staggering 416 carries. He's basically never recovered from taking all that punishment. So I wouldn't look at him like a typical 30-year-old running back. In fact, I think players in his age bracket such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Willie Parker, Brian Westbrook and Thomas Jones all have more tread left than Johnson.

He's a power back who's not a great change-of-pace back for the Redskins, unless they actually want someone slower than Clinton Portis. Here's what Johnson told ESPN 980 Thursday evening:

"There hasn't been a real good running back tandem in the league [for a while]," said Johnson. "There's always been one guy or three guys. It'd be just like how me and Priest Holmes was way back in the day. It'd be nice to be able to play aside somebody like that."

Hmm...I don't quite see Portis-Johnson rivaling Holmes-Johnson. And it's funny to hear Johnson recall that pairing with such fondness. Johnson and Holmes did not have a good relationship in Kansas City. In fact, Johnson once told a few of us on a conference call before a Cowboys-Chiefs game that Holmes had not been a mentor to him at all.

Johnson was brilliant for two seasons in the league. But the last time he truly helped a team was 2006. I don't see Johnson being happy about playing second-fiddle to Portis, but that's what he'll be asked to do. This will go down as the first highly questionable signing by the Redskins.

Just because they apparently got Johnson on the cheap doesn't make it a good decision.

INDIANAPOLIS -- As promised, I'm about to deliver my annual combine mailbag, which will feature news and nuggets related to every team in the division. I've spent four days talking to draft prospects, coaches, agents and scouts. Now it's time for you guys to pick my brain. This shouldn't take long.

Casey from West Liberty, W.Va., is concerned about the Cowboys' WR situation: Please tell me that Dallas is considering other options at wide receiver aside from Roy Williams at this point. You've got to think that if you can get Anquan Boldin for a second rounder at this point you pull the trigger, don't you?

Mosley: So we're back around to Boldin trade scenarios? I'd missed those days so much. I think the Cowboys would be better off adding a wide receiver via the draft. It looks like second-year player Kevin Ogletree could develop into a No. 2 or 3 receiver if he's given enough attention. That's why I don't think the Cowboys need to select someone such as Golden Tate at No. 27 overall. Let's remember that Miles Austin and Ogletree were both undrafted. And Patrick Crayton has had a very nice career after being selected in the seventh round. There's no pressure to send a second-round pick to the Cardinals for Boldin. He wants to be a No. 1 receiver. That's not going to happen in Dallas, where Austin's quickly become the main man. And you also have the highest paid No. 2 receiver in the game in Williams.

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Mike from Richmond, Va., has a question about the Skins' RBs situation: So I hear Thomas Jones is going to be released. Do you think this is someone the Redskins would be interested in? Everyone is saying how much Shanny likes LT. I would think Jones would still have more in the tank. Thoughts?

Mosley: Everyone who's saying that Mike Shanahan loves LaDainian Tomlinson is exactly right, Mike. I think the coach has immense respect for Tomlinson after being battered by the running back in the AFC West. As AFC West blogger Bill Williamson told me this past week, Shanahan always covets players who have stuck it to him in the past. That said, I think you're correct to say that Jones has more left in the tank. He's arrived at that magic age where his skills begin to decline, but he could still be effective as a complementary back. Would he be happy splitting carries with Clinton Portis in Washington? Well, he may not have a choice. Honestly, I think Chester Taylor might be a better fit than Jones in Washington.

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Joseph from Bloomer, Wis., wants to talk about the Eagles' plans for free agency: Matt, what do you think the chances are that the Eagles make a big splash in free agency this offseason? Do they make a serious run for Julius Peppers? What about Darren Sproles? (I know there's more serious needs than RB, but he might fit in nicely.) Is there someone else on their radar that we're not hearing about? Do they go after someone big or do they stick with their usual M.O. and try to build through the draft? And how do you see the potential uncapped year affecting how the Eagles go about business? It seems like the majority of teams are going to do the opposite of what most initially expected and limit their spending as opposed to going all "NY Yankees" on the league. Thanks for the excellent offseason coverage!

Mosley: New general manager Howie Roseman opted not to speak with the media during the combine, so I can only go on what I'm hearing from other folks from the organization. I'd be surprised if the Eagles threw a bunch of money at Peppers. They know what it's like to sink a ton of money into an elite pass-rusher and basically come up empty. (See Jevon Kearse). There's a concern from people who've been around Peppers that he doesn't truly love the game. Something tells me that Andy Reid and president Joe Banner, the true power brokers, aren't looking to get into business with a guy like Peppers. I think it's more likely the Eagles will look for a pass-rusher in the draft. But I'd try to find a starting safety via a trade or free agency. It's a lot to ask of a rookie to step in and start at safety. Just ask Macho Harris about that. Even if you select someone like Taylor Mays or Nate Allen, it's not like you feel great at the position immediately. As long as you don't have to spend wildly, I'd go after someone like Darren Sharper from the Saints. He's getting older, but he's still a highly productive player. I've read the stuff about how Tracy Porter was the key to that secondary, but you'd be crazy to think the Saints would've made it to the Super Bowl without Sharper.

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