The case for Raheem Mostert’s return to the Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins haven’t had a 1,000-yard running back since Jay Ajayi in 2016. But with Mike McDaniel now as head coach, expect a renewed commitment to the ground game in both scheme and personnel. And few (if any) backs in NFL free agency make more sense for them to sign than Raheem Mostert — who not only thrived under McDaniel in San Francisco but has a history with the Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins should sign Raheem Mostert

Mostert, who was briefly a Dolphin in 2015 as a waiver wire pickup, is one of the most efficient running backs of the last five years. Thanks to game-changing speed, he has a career average of 5.7 yards per carry. Mostert’s issue has never been ability, but availability.

He missed all but one game of the 2021 season after suffering a knee injury in the San Francisco 49ers’ season opener that needed cartilage graft surgery. It was a significant procedure with a significant recovery period.

But Mostert is on track to make a full recovery, and there’s no reason to believe that he won’t be healthy for the 2022 season.

Our view: That 2022 season should be spent with McDaniel and the Dolphins.

Mostert’s history with Mike McDaniel

In the 2019 playoffs, McDaniel helped unlock Mostert’s potential to the tune of 220 rushing yards in an NFC Championship Game victory over the Green Bay Packers.

Mostert had just 1 career carry before McDaniel followed Kyle Shanahan to San Francisco. But the new staff identified Mostert’s potential, and his role in the Niners’ offense grew each year together. He was poised for a monster season in 2021 before his health setback.

Assessing the free agent running back market

Mostert is the No. 6 running back on PFN’s list of available free agents. The top five? Leonard Fournette, Melvin Gordon, Chase Edmonds, Cordarrelle Patterson, and James Conner.

While there certainly are more accomplished options, Mostert’s upside might be the best of the group. Even though he turns 30 before the start of the season, there’s a lot of tread left on his tires. He’s carried the ball just 284 times and been on the field for just 1,270 total snaps (offense and special teams combined).

With nearly $50 million in cap space, the Dolphins are expected to be major players next week. They’re expected to sign a top-end offensive lineman and wide receiver in addition to a running back. An offense that includes Terron Armstead, Amari Cooper, and Mostert would be a quantum leap forward from 2021.