Raheem Mostert: 5 best landing spots for 49ers free-agent running back
By Peter Panacy
Raheem Mostert Landing Spot No. 3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sticking within the NFC South for now, the Bucs are a team potentially in peril this offseason depending upon what happens with Tom Brady.
But a would-be Brady retirement is only part of the reason why Tampa Bay could see a dramatic makeover on offense entering 2022.
Running backs Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones II are both pending free agents, and even if Brady stays, there’s a strong chance the Buccaneers might have to explore cheaper options than re-signing either one of those two players.
Bringing aboard Raheem Mostert, particularly on a team-friendly deal, might actually be a smart move for a Bucs team that has relied more upon the passing game than a run-first offense under head coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. At the same time, though, Brady calling it quits might force Arians into more of an old-school NFL offense.
Mostert might not have the physical ability to be a 20-carry-per-game player at this stage of his career, but using him in tandem with a younger tailback (perhaps one selected in the draft) might be to the team’s benefit.
With almost $20 million in cap space, salary isn’t an issue for Tampa Bay.