NSB product Raheem Mostert caps career year with first Pro Bowl: "I'm honestly thrilled"
ORLANDO — Raheem Mostert bucked conventional running back wisdom in booking his first trip to the Pro Bowl Games.
The ripe, old age of 30 is traditionally seen as the tipping point, when even the game's elite ball-carriers tail off, lose a step and gradually decline until retirement. The position has become increasingly marginalized, with former first-round picks such as Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs forced to sign one-year, franchise-tag deals in their mid-20s rather than land lucrative, long-term contracts.
Mostert, who turns 32 in April, produced comfortably the biggest stat line of his nine-year career in 2023. The New Smyrna Beach High graduate led the league in rushing touchdowns (18), tied Christian McCaffrey for the NFL's high mark in total TDs (21), and topped the 200-carry and 1,000-yard marks for the first time.
"I needed it," Mostert said prior to Friday's practice with the AFC squad. "It helped me jump-start what's (to come). I'm honestly thrilled and excited that I'm here."
There is substantially less tread on Mostert's proverbial tires, of course. Mostert logged 40 combined carries in his first four NFL seasons, bouncing on and off active rosters and practice squads in Philadelphia, Miami, Baltimore, Cleveland, New York, Chicago and, finally, San Francisco. He made contributions on special teams as a return man and gunner on coverage units.
Mostert blossomed in 2019, playing a crucial role in the 49ers' run to the 2020 Super Bowl — averaging 5.6 yards per carry in the regular season, and torching the Green Bay Packers for four touchdowns in the NFC Championship. Injuries — an MCL sprain and high ankle sprain in 2020, and a torn ACL in '21 — limited Mostert to just nine further appearances for San Francisco.
Reuniting Mostert with Mike McDaniel
Reuniting with former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel in Miami, Mostert has made 29 starts for the Dolphins and reset his career-high rushing totals in consecutive campaigns.
"I'm not surprised by (anything) that he did," Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead said. "He never really had the chance to fully display what he always felt about himself. This year, really, was his first chance to be the No. 1, get the carries and the opportunities. … Them safeties have to watch him. They've got to get in the box and check for him. Any time he's in the backfield, he's a threat to go the distance."
According to StatMuse, only two running backs age 30 or older have rushed for 1,000 yards in a single season — presumptive Hall of Famers Adrian Peterson (2018) and Frank Gore, who did it twice ('14, '16). Mostert identified Gore as someone after whom he hopes to model the inevitable twilight of his playing days.
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"He's just the ultimate competitor, and he did everything that he possibly could to jump-start the tail end of his career," Mostert said.
Mostert is signed under contract with the Dolphins through next season at a salary cap hit of roughly $3.36 million. His value, Armstead said, exceeds the box score as the Dolphins prepare to make another playoff run — with sights set at ending a 16-year AFC East title drought and reaching the Super Bowl, where a number of Mostert's former 49er teammates will get a shot at revenge against Kansas City on Feb. 11.
"His mindset, his drive; he sets the tone," Armstead said. "He's never wavered or changed depending on the situation or circumstance. You need guys like that."
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NFL Pro Bowl: Raheem Mostert 'thrilled' after 1,000-yard season
