We continue our player-by-player look at the San Diego Chargers’ potential unrestricted free agents with a closer look at a dependable but aging veteran running back.

RB Ronnie Brown

The No. 2 overall selection of the 2005 draft by the Miami Dolphins, Brown has played 11 NFL seasons, including stints with the Dolphins and Chargers, along with the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles. During his pro career, Brown has rushed for 5,391 yards and 38 touchdowns. He also has totaled 1,966 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Chargers career: The Chargers added Brown midway through the season in 2014, with Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead unavailable to due injuries. Brown finished with 63 yards on 20 carries in 2014, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. He played in 84 snaps on offense for the Chargers. Brown, 33, played for the Chargers during the 2012-13 seasons. He appeared in 30 games with one start, carrying the ball 91 times in the regular season for 377 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and a touchdown. Brown also totaled 57 catches for 431 yards (7.6 yards per catch).

Argument for keeping Brown: The Auburn University product has the trust of Philip Rivers, can be productive if not overused and is a good mentor for younger players in the running back room – something important to have if the Chargers choose to draft an every-down running back in the early rounds.

Argument for letting Brown go: San Diego already has Woodhead, Donald Brown and Branden Oliver on the roster, and the Chargers still need to add an every-down running back through the draft or free agency. Brown could be the odd man out.

What should happen with Brown: He’ll have an opportunity to explore his options in free agency and could return again during the season if San Diego suffers injuries at running back. Brown is a good communicator and very knowledgeable about the game, so perhaps coaching is in his future.