49ers roster: 4 players who have played their last game with San Francisco

No. 4: 49ers Running Back Raheem Mostert

Running back Raheem Mostert is not only a fan favorite, he’s the definition of a Cinderella story come to life.

In two seasons, he suited up for six different teams, and his first stint in San Francisco was nothing to write home about, but in 2017, he was given a second chance under the Kyle Shanahan regime. Since then, Mostert hasn’t looked back. He’s made the most of every opportunity and has been nothing but productive.

So why him? Why now? He’s more than proven himself.

For starters, Shanahan loves the running back-by-committee approach. Shanahan has never had a power runner who took over and amassed 1,500 yards. He’s proven over the years that there’s really a need for it. No matter how decimated by injuries this team has been over the past two years, running back has been the one position that has had quality depth throughout.

Next, despite his injury in Week 1 that put him on IR, Mostert is due for a big payday very soon and will be a free agent in 2022 anyway.

The 49ers have plenty of other stars who already carry hefty paychecks. Not to mention the players who are due contracts just as large as the ones they’ve already handed out. Jeff Wilson Jr. is a solid veteran successor. Not to mention, rookie Elijah Mitchell, who just set a team record for yardage by a first-year player all time.

The Niners have options, and one of those options is not having to put serious cash on a running back.