49ers free agency: Predicting landing spots for top 5 free agents

4 of 5

Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

49ers free-agent No. 2: Running back Raheem Mostert

While not as extensive an injury history as that of Jason Verrett, running back Raheem Mostert nevertheless carries that concern for whatever team lands him in 2021. And like Verrett, Mostert also suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1 that resulted in his stat line last year being just two rushing attempts.

A fully healthy Mostert can still likely contribute at a high level, and downplaying his speed is something few teams should do when he hits the open market.

Yes, there are reasons why San Francisco could entertain the idea of re-signing Mostert, pairing him with the 2021 upstart rookie, Elijah Mitchell, within a running back room that could be challenged for depth next season.

At the same time, though, Mostert will be 30 years old by the time next season starts, and the 49ers would probably be wiser investing the would-be cash elsewhere on the roster.

Instead, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see Mostert returning to his home state of Florida, perhaps reuniting with the Niners’ former offensive coordinator, now-Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who’ll be tasked with improving the NFL’s third-worst rushing offense from a year ago.

Prediction: Miami Dolphins