49ers free agency: Grading each opening-wave move by John Lynch
By Peter Panacy
John Lynch, 49ers not re-signing Raheem Mostert
Running Back. Miami Dolphins. Raheem Mostert. A-. player. 59. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Sure, there was an argument the 49ers could have brought back veteran running back Raheem Mostert after he missed all but one game last season because of a knee injury suffered in Week 1. When healthy, Mostert is one of the more explosive weapons head coach Kyle Shanahan has had at his disposal.
The problem, though, is Mostert doesn’t have the greatest track record of being healthy, and last year was just a prime example.
Mostert is now off to rejoin his former offensive coordinator with the Niners, now-Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, on a one-year deal. But instead of re-signing Mostert, San Francisco will instead look to capitalize cheaper investments on younger players like Elijah Mitchell and Trey Sermon this season.
Salary Comparison:#Dolphins Raheem Mostert 2022 salary: $3.1M#49ers RB’s Elijah Mitchell, Trey Sermon and JaMycal Hasty combined 2022 salaries: $2.8M #NFL #NFLFreeAgency #Niners pic.twitter.com/uuyl6xavVP
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) March 17, 2022
The money saved is just part of the reason, too. Mostert will turn 30 years old this offseason and comes with that said injury history.
Mitchell, who also has injury concerns of his own, nevertheless set a franchise rookie record with 963 rush yards over 11 games last season.
In this particular case, the 49ers were more than wise to let Mostert continue his career elsewhere.