49ers vs. Lions: 3 Niners who set the tone with massive Week 1 game

No. 2: 49ers Running Back Raheem Mostert

The 49ers have an incredibly strong running back room. Rookie Elijah Mitchell and returning player JaMycal Hasty have both had solid preseasons, and rookie Trey Sermon especially has gotten lots of media attention as the potential future lead back for San Francisco.

However, that doesn’t change anything about who the leader of the 49ers’ running back room is: Raheem Mostert. Mostert has often missed time with injury, and many are looking to Sermon to take over the Niners’ leading role.

That is not going to happen.

When he is healthy, Mostert might just be the most electric running back in the NFL. Mostert had the fastest speed recorded during an NFL game in 2020, clocking in at an incredible 22.73 miles per hour:

Although Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill gets the most attention, Mostert is the NFL’s true cheetah, at least in-game. With his speed, Mostert consistently breaks off long runs and performs jaw-dropping plays.

And of course, don’t forget he rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers in the 2019-2020 NFC Championship game.

Yes, you read that right: Four touchdowns. Four.

Mostert will be the 49ers’ lead back again, as long as he stays healthy, and he is healthy going into Week 1. He certainly did not look hobbled in his brief preseason performance against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Expect Mostert to be at his best in Week 1, and against a rebuilding Lions team, he should be able to have a strong performance and set himself up to be one of the NFL’s most exciting players again in 2021.