Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
49ers have found a hidden gem in Raheem Mostert
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Raheem Mostert was a lock to make the San Francisco 49ers' roster.
After all, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch had seen first hand what the veteran running back could bring to the special team's unit, and rewarded Mostert with a three-year, $8.6 million contract in March of 2019. Despite the commitment however, Mostert seemed to be on the outside looking in when it came to who would get the lion's share of the touches in the Niners' backfield.
The reason Mostert seemed like an afterthought wasn't hard to figure out. Jerick McKinnon and Tevin Coleman were each given lucrative free agent deals, and Matt Breida had shown he could be more than just a change of pace back after leading the team in rushing in 2018. Combine that with the fact that Mostert had only managed to get 41 carries in his previous four NFL seasons, and you have a player who seemed to be a distant fourth in terms of game day volume.
But as anyone who pays attention to football knows, running back is a fickle position, and the pecking order can change in a hurry. A combination of injuries and less than stellar play have opened the door for Mostert to get an opportunity to show what he can do, and the speedy back appears to have taken the reins as the 49ers' lead runner.
In the last three games, Mostert's carried the ball a team high 35 times for 260 yards and scored four total touchdowns. For the season, Mostert has 608 yards on just 102 attempts, which is good for 6.0 yards per carry. The only player in the NFL with at least 100 carries who has a higher average is Lamar Jackson (6.7). As far as contributing to the passing game, Mostert has 159 yards on 12 receptions, and his 13.3 yards per catch leads all San Francisco running backs by a considerable margin.
Looking deeper, it seems that the more Mostert touches the ball, the better he gets. In the five career games where Mostert's gotten 10 carries or more, he's gained 464 yards which equals out to an ultra-productive 7.0 ypc. He's also shown a nose for the end zone and is currently second on the team with six total touchdowns.
With three games remaining in the regular season, Mostert has a real chance to solidify himself as a vital part of Shanahan's backfield moving forward. If he can continue to excel, it gives the 49ers an effective and affordable option for the foreseeable future.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
-
Paul
The Shannahan's have always been great at finding running backs. That is why I was so surprised they offered Jerick McKinnon so much. Also, don't forget about Jeff Wilson, Jr. he is real good too. Don't overwork any of the running backs before the post season unless you need them to beat Seattle.
Dec 12, 2019 at 3:17 PM
More San Francisco 49ers News
Albert Breer speculates on trade destinations for 49ers WR Deebo Samuel
The most likely scenario is that both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel will be on the San Francisco 49ers roster come Week 1. Unless there are unforeseen financial constraints, trading either player doesn't seem sensible with the 2024 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror. The 49ers wouldn't easily replace either wide receiver's value at this point unless another team makes an enticing offer involving a player and a draft pick.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recently addressed fan questions, including whether Samuel might be traded and, if so, to which team. As he recently stated during an appearance on "The Herd," Breer noted that he initially leaned towards Aiyuk being the likelier
Three 49ers land on Matt Miller's list of top 100 draft picks
Three San Francisco 49ers made it onto ESPN analyst Matt Miller's list of the 100 best picks, steals, and fits from the 2024 NFL Draft. He recently unveiled his ranking, considering various factors such as the pick's value, how well the player fits into the team's scheme, whether the selection addressed a team need, and what the prospect brings to the field.
The 49ers made eight picks during the draft, and Miller's take is intriguing, especially since he remains a dedicated fan of the team.
Let's break down which 49ers landed within Miller's recent ranking, starting with the highest-ranked player,
NFL exec praises 49ers' Ricky Pearsall pick; Another believes Deebo Samuel is out next year
Mike Sando of The Athletic frequently taps into the insights of NFL executives across the league to gather intel and opinions on NFL developments, the latest being the 2024 NFL Draft. In his recent discussions with NFL executives about the San Francisco 49ers, the spotlight was on the wide receiver position.
One unnamed NFL executive praised the 49ers' choice of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick.
"We loved that receiver," the executive told Sando. "The first round is probably a little high for him, but if they want the fifth-year option with him, fine."
That's an interesting perspective that has yet to receive much attention regarding Pearsall's selection. First-round picks come with a team option for a fifth year, which
Former NFL QB makes bold statement about 49ers' Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy's standing in the hierarchy of NFL quarterbacks remains a contentious topic. While many argue that the San Francisco 49ers' signal-caller deserves a place near the top of quarterback rankings, others contend that Purdy is merely a game manager or a beneficiary of head coach Kyle Shanahan's system.
Regardless of these debates, one thing seems increasingly likely: Purdy will become the highest-paid player on the 49ers' roster next offseason and will skyrocket toward the top of the NFL's highest-paid players, especially if he turns in another season like his record-breaking 2023 campaign.
Purdy has found a believer in former NFL quarterback turned analyst Chase Daniel, a 14-year veteran of the league.
"Brock Purdy is a top 3 or 4 quarterback
