Raheem Mostert should get bulk of carries for 49ers vs. Packers

The San Francisco 49ers welcome the Green Bay Packers for the NFC Championship.  Niner Noise explains why the 49ers should feed running back Raheem Mostert the bulk of the workload.

San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert has been nothing short of extraordinary this season. From preseason splash plays to critical conversions to help the Niners reach the playoffs, his level of play has been outstanding.

At the beginning of the season, Mostert was slated to be third in line in a crowded backfield, behind Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida. Despite a reduced role from Weeks 5 through 12, Mostert has proven to be a tough, reliable back capable of producing when it matters most.

This was particularly true during the 49ers’ historic three-game gauntlet featuring 80-percent-win powerhouses in the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, and New Orleans Saints.

Mostert put up 45 yards on the ground and 22 through the air for one touchdown against the Packers in Week 12, and followed that up with146 rushing yards and one touchdown versus the Ravens in Week 13.

Mostert was a featured player against the Saints in Week 14 with 69 yards rushing and 40 yards receiving with two touchdowns.

His undeniable talent will be much needed in the NFC Championship Game, so here’s why he should be fed the lion’s share of the carries on Sunday night.

Mostert excels at making the most of the opportunities he’s given. In the Divisional Round against the Minnesota Vikings, Mostert didn’t receive his normal workload, due in large part to calf cramping.

Barring an unforseen setback, this shouldn’t be an issue against the Packers on Sunday night.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan is known to ride the hot hand with his running back committee, so it stands to reason that we might see another healthy dose of Coleman, but it makes more sense to have him split carries with Mostert in a relief capacity.

Mostert is simply too efficient to not feature in the backfield if he’s back at full health. Compare these regular season stats through 16 games:

• Mostert: 772 yards on 137 rushing attempts with eight touchdowns, plus 180 yards on 14 receiving targets and 2 touchdowns.
• Coleman: 544 yards on 137 rushing attempts with six touchdowns, plus 180 yards on 30 receiving targets and one touchdown.

Though the workload is fairly evenly split between the two, Mostert clearly is more efficient.

Another reason to ride Mostert on Sunday is his incredible ability to gain yards after the catch, particularly on screens. Shanahan likes speedy backs, and Mostert’s lightning 4.34-second 40-yard speed helps him gain separation.

Note how he kicks it up a gear to split the defenders here:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1173289538489241606?s=20

Per Next Gen Stats, Mostert was the fourth-fastest ball carrier in the Divisional Round, clocking in at 19.7 MPH. Mostert will need that speed on full display if he’s to elude a hungry, stout Packers defense.

Mostert is a smart, calculated running back. He’s patient behind the line of scrimmage, waits for the offensive line to clear a gap, and then punches the gas. This, coupled with his speed and efficiency, makes him a constant threat to find the end zone.

Notice the one-millisecond pause after getting the ball before taking off for the touchdown:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1208575592485904385?s=20

Make no mistake: The Packers are going to show up to play on Sunday. If the 49ers are to keep future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers off the field and manage the time of possession, it will be paramount for the offense to establish the run early and often.

Who better to lead the charge than the most efficient, speedy, and calculating running back on the roster?