Malcolm Brown

Brown is coming off a career year with the Rams, having posted 581 scrimmage yards. Of course, that was the only time in Brown's six-year stint with the team that he surpassed 300 total yards. The 28-year-old lacks the explosiveness and speed possessed by second-year backs Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed, not to mention rookie Gerrid Doaks, but his experience could make him the favorite for specialized situations, such as on third downs or at the goal line.

Despite Todd Gurley suiting up for 15 games last year, Brown managed the most productive season of his career, albeit with a boost from usage rather than increased volume or efficiency. His 255 rushing yards were only nine more than his prior high, but the back who came into 2019 with only one career rushing TD managed to rack up five last year, all from within the 5-yard line. Brown's new goal-line vulture role didn't earn him any fans among Gurley's fantasy owners, but it might be the best fit for his talent, as Brown offers enough power and burst to muscle through a tackler or two but won't make any of them miss. Last year's third-round pick, Darrell Henderson, could see a bigger role with Gurley now in Atlanta, but the bigger threat to Brown's meager production is 2020 second-round pick Cam Akers. The FSU product has both the power and the healthy knees to handle short-yardage work on his own, and if he seizes the lead role in the backfield, Brown could lose his niche.

Brown has never seen more than 63 carries in a season during his four years with the Rams, but the club still valued him enough to match the Lions' two-year offer sheet for his services this offseason. A big, physical runner at 5-11, 222, Brown is no Todd Gurley when it comes to speed, elusiveness or receiving skills, but his ability to absorb punishment between the tackles could result in an increased workload if Los Angeles makes it a priority to lessen the burden on Gurley's shoulders - or rather, on his achy knee. Third-round pick Darrell Henderson could also have a big role in the offense, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be the next Alvin Kamara or just another speedy gadget player (or something in between). Brown seems headed for increased snaps this season, but how big an increase depends largely on Gurley's health and Henderson's development rather than Brown's own performance.

Being Todd Gurley's backup proved to be one of the most thankless jobs in the NFL last year, but Brown delivered on the rare occasions when he was called upon, with 4.1 YPC during the four games in which he got double-digit carries. The vast majority of that work came in blowouts, as the Rams were rightfully hesitant to take Gurley off the field in competitive situations. While Brown lacks anything resembling finesse or elusiveness in his game, he's shown enough to step in whenever Gurley needs a breather, whether it's on 3rd-and-long or 1st-and-goal. Sixth-round pick John Kelly will provide some competition for snaps in training camp, and even if Gurley were to get hurt, Brown's limited athleticism likely would point the Rams toward a committee approach in the backfield.

Brown's prospects didn't look too bright after the Rams signed Lance Dunbar to replace Benny Cunningham as a pass-catching and change-of-pace back behind bell cow Todd Gurley. However, Dunbar quickly added a new chapter to his lengthy history of knee injuries, missing all of training camp with an ailment of undisclosed severity. Dunbar is expected to open the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, leaving Brown as the likely top backup to Gurley, who is poised to take on a three-down role. Brown won't get much work as the backup, but he's just one Gurley injury away from a probable starting job. It's unclear if Brown would be able to take advantage of such an opportunity, as he didn't show well when given an opportunity last season with just 39 rushing yards on 18 attempts (2.2 per carry). Undrafted free agent Justin Davis could push Brown for backup work.

The Rams are excited to see what Brown can do this preseason, as he and Chase Reynolds are likely to battle for the third spot on the depth chart with Tre Mason's availability in question. Brown had four carries for 17 yards in the season finale last year, and did have a couple standout performances in the 2015 preseason. However, carries are still going to be hard to come by with at least Todd Gurley and Benny Cunningham ahead of him.

Brown was released by the Rams in September of 2015.