The Chiefs appear eager to either draft a running back a week from Sunday. They met with at least four of the higher-profile running backs available in the coming draft: California?s Marshawn Lynch, Ohio State?s Antonio Pittman, Florida State?s Lorenzo Booker and Louisville?s Kolby Smith. Oklahoma?s Adrian Peterson, widely considered the top running back available in the draft, did not visit with the Chiefs this week. Neither did some of the other top runners, including Arizona?s Chris Henry, Auburn?s Kenny Irons, Penn State?s Tony Hunt and Alabama?s Kenneth Darby. The Chiefs were unavailable Thursday to speak about their motives. But the agents for all of the players said the Chiefs told them they planned to draft a running back in an early round. ?They?ve put that out there,? said Smith?s agent, Jerrold Colton. ?They said they want the running-back duties shared a little more to save the wear and tear on (Johnson).? Johnson and the Chiefs have worked on a new contract that would give him a raise, but they don?t have an agreement yet. Johnson has not threatened to hold out if he doesn?t get a new deal and has been participating in the offseason workout program. The Chiefs reportedly could even trade Johnson if the right deal presented itself.