Donald Brown saved the Colts' run game last year and became an example of a running back playing to some career-high standards whilst in a contract year. The payoff could have led to a starting job, but instead Brown finds himself in another running back mess with the Chargers.
The Chargers seemingly did this to secure depth at the position and to safeguard against not having a back in case Ryan Mathews and/or Danny Woodhead leave via free agency next offseason. They also picked up a back who can do anything Mathews or Woodhead does -- Brown is a good runner and receiver.
The feeling here is that Mathews will remain the primary rusher for the Chargers. The team went 6-0 in games he had at least 20 carries (8-2 in games where he had at least 16 carries), a stat the coaches will have a hard time ignoring. Brown could keep Mathews from 24-plus carry games like he had toward the end of last season but we'll still see Mathews dominate. Brown should also reduce Woodhead's touches, particularly after he faded down the stretch last season.
But even with this piecemeal workload from Mathews and Woodhead, it's tough to envision Brown getting enough work to be the same kind of helpful Fantasy rusher he was last year. I might take him with a mid-round pick.