James may be available in Round 3 or later. I like this years crop of RBs, and I think that we could wait until later to address the position. Round 3 for a RB seems a tad early for my wants in this draft, but if there's a RB who is slipping/head and shoulders above everyone else and would be a great value pick, go for it.

Ray Rice is set to be a FA, but you know Baltimore will lock him up before FA starts. Matt Forte, if Chicago screws it up, could be a nice signing, but he'll want big cash. Mike Tolbert and Ryan Grant will be free agents as well. Ladainian, Cedric Benson, Peyton Hillis, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Marshawn Lynch are all looking to be unrestricted too.

Here is a list of the remaining players currently without a contract and classified as unrestricted.

Chester Taylor (ARZ)
Jason Snelling (ATL)
Jerome Felton (CAR)
Tashard Choice (DAL)
Spencer Larsen (DEN)
Maurice Morris (DET)
Derrick Ward (HOU)
Thomas Jones (KC)
Le'Ron McClain (KC)
Steve Slaton (MIA)
Lorenzo Booker (MIN)
Michael Bush (OAK)
Rock Cartwright (OAK)
Ronnie Brown (PHI)
Owen Schmitt (PHI)
Mewelde Moore (PIT)
Jacob Hester (SD)
Justin Forsett (SEA)
Moran Norris (SF)
Jerious Norwood (STL)
Cadillac Williams (STL)
Earnest Graham (TB)
Ahmard Hall (TEN)
Tim Hightower (WAS)

Arian Foster will be an RFA, but I can't see Houston letting him slip away.

Here's the remaining restricted FA running backs.
LaRod Stephens-Howling (ARZ) - Restricted
Antone Smith (ATL) - Exclusive Rights
Kahlil Bell (CHI) - Restricted
Chris Pressley (CIN) - Restricted
Lance Ball (DEN) - Exclusive Rights
Brock Bolen (JAC) - Restricted
Lex Hilliard (MIA) - Restricted
Isaac Redman (PIT) - Exclusive Rights
Brit Miller (STL) - Restricted
LeGarrette Blount (TB) - Exclusive Rights
Kregg Lumpkin (TB) - Restricted

there are some good names on that list!

They will likely look at Ronnie Brown on the cheap, cheap. Since the Harrison trade fell through, they may want to bring him in once FA starts and see how healthy he is.

I really like Kahlil Bell and what he's been able to do in Chicago in limited action. I don't see them letting him go. The others on that list are nothing more then just 3rd string backs (in our 3 deep).

Though I agree with you, it also wouldnt surprise me if they did. Im only saying this because i have a brother in law that is a huge Bears fan and hes always complaining to me that the Bears never do what makes sense. Retaining Bell would make sense, so lets hope they let him walk lol.

Haha, gotcha. They gotta pay Forte, and they sure as hell aren't going to keep Marion Barber. I think Bell could be their #2 back and split some carries with Forte. It'll be interesting to see what the new GM decides to do in terms of philosophy, especially in the run game, heading forward. Mike Tice is the new OC, right? If I recall correctly, he's much more of a balanced type of play caller, with a power running scheme, the type that would benefit Bell.

They'll sign forte and there's no way they let bell go

I agree. And talking with my bro-in-law, he said one thing Tice really wants to do is implement the deep ball more frequently. Not sure if that has anything to do with Bell or not, but just throwing it in there.

Bolded the Only RBs that would interest me if I were the Lions.