Donald Brown

Donald Brown

36-Year-Old Running BackRB
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Donald Brown in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Patriots in August of 2016.
Cut by Patriots
RBFree Agent
Hamstring
August 23, 2016
The Patriots released Brown (hamstring) with an injury settlement, the Boston Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
Brown has missed three weeks of practice and the injury settlement suggests that the veteran back is dealing with a lingering injury. Either way, with Dion Lewis set to miss time, the move leaves the likes of Tyler Gaffney, D.J. Foster and Joey Iosefa competing for roster slotting in the New England backfield behind LeGarrette Blount, James White and Brandon Bolden.
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Donald Brown lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2023 Donald Brown Split Stats
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Measurables Review
How do Donald Brown's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"
 
Weight
207 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.46 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.10 sec
 
Cone Drill
6.93 sec
 
Vertical Jump
41.5 in
 
Broad Jump
125 in
 
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
While the Patriots' signing of Brown was not a splashy one, the veteran was thought to be a decent fit in the New England offense, given the versatility and experience the 29-year-old brings to the table, as well as his ability in blitz pickup. He's coming off an underwhelming season with the Chargers in which he logged 59 carries for 229 yards and one score, while adding eight catches for 88 yards in 10 games. Slowed by a nagging injury in training camp, Brown was released by the Patriots in August.
After a productive run in Indianapolis, Brown’s first season in San Diego was a bit of a disappointment. He was supposed to be a big part of the offense, but despite Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead both missing significant time due to injuries, Brown was never used as anything more than a third down back. He only rushed for a total of 223 yards on the season and averaged a career-low 2.6 YPC. This season the Bolts figure to lean heavily on rookie Melvin Gordon, and with both Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver back in the mix, Brown will likely struggle to get many touches.
Despite having arguably his best season – setting career highs with 5.3 YPC and 27 receptions – last year, Brown couldn't stick with the Colts and now will have to settle for trying to wrestle carries away from Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead in San Diego. He's likely to see a limited role at first, but Mathews has had some propensity for injury in his career. If Mathews goes down, Brown – a one-cut, downhill runner not dissimilar to Mathews – is a more natural choice than Woodhead or rookie Marion Grice to carry the load.
Brown will likely have to step into a backup role behind upstart running back Vick Ballard and the newly acquired Ahmad Bradshaw heading into 2013.
Brown finished with just 29 more yards from scrimmage last season than the year before, but his 4.8 YPC mark was easily a career high, as were his five touchdowns. He missed the first four games of the season but looked like a much-improved player after returning. The former first-round pick enters 2012 as the favorite for carries in Indy for the first time in his career, as Joseph Addai is no longer around. He’ll have to beat out Delone Carter, who was a major disappointment as a rookie. While the team’s offense should improve with Andrew Luck taking over QB duties, it’s still likely to be below average, and Brown doesn’t project to be a true workhorse.
Two years into the league, Brown looks like a bust. The former first-round pick has constantly battled injuries, and when on the field, he’s averaged just 3.8 YPC during his career while struggling in pass protection, which isn’t acceptable in Indianapolis. As a result, the Colts drafted Delone Carter, and re-signed Joseph Addai, so Brown enters 2011 likely no better than third on the depth chart.
Brown failed to impress during his rookie year, getting just 3.6 YPC while constantly battling injuries. The Colts’ offensive line is built more to protect Peyton Manning than run block, but 29.8 percent of Brown’s carries went for no yards or lost yardage, which was the worst percentage of any back in football. Brown is faster and possesses more big-play ability than Joseph Addai, but he needs to prove he can stay healthy and improve in pass protection. The only way Brown isn’t on the lesser end of a timeshare is if injuries strike Addai, who has proven to be brittle in the past. If Brown were thrust into a feature role in the Colts’ potent offense, he’s the type of late-round flier who could win your fantasy league for you.
Indianapolis selected Brown, an early-entry junior, with the No. 27 pick in the draft. He led the nation in rushing last season with 2,083 yards (5.7 YPC) and 18 touchdowns. Brown has excellent vision with good instincts but isn’t overly powerful. He ran a 4.51 40 at the Combine, which was faster than Knowshon Moreno, Chris Wells and Shonn Greene. He projects as a similar runner to new teammate Joseph Addai. While Colts GM Bill Polian has compared Brown to Thurman Thomas, coach Jim Caldwell has said Addai remains the team’s No. 1 back. That’s not surprising given the veteran culture of the NFL, but a statement made in April hardly matters come September and beyond. Addai is solid in pass protection and effective as a receiver, but he’s injury-prone and averaged 3.5 YPC last season. Over the past two seasons, he’s got just 3.9 YPC despite playing for one of the league’s elite offenses. Addai may be the safer choice, but we already know what he can, and more appropriately can’t, do, whereas Brown’s ceiling is unknown. With Addai so injury-prone and the Colts producing so many scoring opportunities, Brown could pay huge dividends.
More Fantasy News
Not practicing fully yet
RBNew England Patriots
Hamstring
August 22, 2016
Brown (hamstring) has yet to resume practicing fully, the Providence Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
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Misses Thursday's game
RBNew England Patriots
Hamstring
August 19, 2016
Brown (hamstring) did not play in Thursday's preseason game against the Bears.
ANALYSIS
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Still working his way back
RBNew England Patriots
Hamstring
August 14, 2016
Brown (hamstring) got some individual work in on Sunday, WEEI.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Still slowed at practice
RBNew England Patriots
Hamstring
August 8, 2016
Brown (hamstring) didn't participate in team drills Monday, the Boston Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
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Misses practice
RBNew England Patriots
Hamstring
August 5, 2016
Brown (hamstring) missed practice Thursday, the Boston Globe reports.
ANALYSIS
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