Dubbed "Mr. Reliable" by Rams running backs coach/assistant head coach Thomas Brown, running back Malcolm Brown (no relation) was asked to juggle multiple roles during the 2020 season.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 228 pounds, he was more than capable of picking up blitzes in pass protection. He was also a dependable option inside the five yard line, but also showed he was capable of making plays in the passing game, too.
However, with the two-year deal he signed with the Rams in 2019 – as a result of the Rams matching the Lions' two-year offer sheet when he was a restricted free agent then – expiring following the 2020 season, Brown is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins on March 17.
So what are the options for the Rams and the 27-year-old Brown?
Naturally, one of them is the Rams re-signing Brown. He's played in 69 out of a possible 80 regular season games over the last five years, including all 16 in 2020. In Los Angeles' committee approach last year, Brown finished as its third-leading rusher with a career-high 419 rushing yards, also matching his career high for rushing touchdowns with five. His 23 receptions for 162 yards were also career-highs.
If the Rams and Brown decide to go in different directions, the Rams could seek out Brown's replacement through the draft or free agency as the third member of the running back rotation. While 2020 undrafted free agent signee Xavier Jones (5-foot-11, 208 pounds) doesn't have the exact same frame as Brown, the Rams could also turn to him as the No. 3 running back.
Take a look back at top shots of the Rams running backs from the 2020 season.
Raymond Calais of the Los Angeles Rams returns a kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 18-7 victory in a Week 17 game, Sunday, January 3, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
Running back (34) Malcolm Brown of the Los Angeles Rams scores a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys and celebrates during the Rams 20-17 victory against the Cowboys in an NFL Week 1 regular season game, Sunday, September 13, 2020, in Inglewood,Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
Running back (27) Darrell Henderson Jr. of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 38-28 victory over the Cardinals during an NFL regular season Week 13 football game, Sunday, December 6, 2020, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
Running back (34) Malcolm Brown of the Los Angeles Rams scores a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 23-16 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 10 regular season game, Sunday, November 15, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
Malcolm Brown of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball during game action while playing against the New York Jets during the Rams 20-23 loss to the Jets during a Week 15 regular season game, Sunday, December 20, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
Running back (30) Raymond Calais of the Los Angeles Rams returns a kickoff against the Chicago Bears during the Rams 24-10 victory over the Bears in a Week 7 NFL Monday Night Football Game, Monday, October 26, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
Running back (23) Cam Akers of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 20-17 victory against the Cowboys in an NFL Week 1 regular season game, Sunday, September 13, 2020, in Inglewood,Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
