Niner Noise
FanSided

Power ranking the 49ers’ running backs in 2019 before training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Raheem Mostert. 4. team. 42. . NFL Experience: 4 Years.

If teams didn’t care about special teams, running back Raheem Mostert would likely be on the outside of the roster bubble, looking in.

Yet teams do value special teams contributions, and few around the league deliver the kind of production here better than Mostert, who even carved out a nice little niche as an offensive weapon in 2018.

Mostert’s 34 carries for 261 yards and a touchdown last year set career highs, and he showcased his flashy speed on more than one occasion. It would have been fun to watch him in an increased role over the latter half of the season, but a gruesome forearm injury in Week 9 landed Mostert on injured reserve.

He’ll likely be ready in time for Week 1, however, even though he required a second procedure on his broken arm earlier this offseason.

Prediction for 2019

Barring injuries to the remaining crop of runners, Mostert is likely to revert back to being a special teams contributor only, with the occasional offensive snap here and there.

Special teams can be difficult to gauge on a year-to-year basis, so Mostert isn’t exactly a lock to make the 53-man roster. Especially if Kyle Shanahan wants to save that roster spot for someone else with a little more versatility.

That said, Mostert is certainly on the stronger side of the bubble heading into late July.