Raheem Mostert Top Landing Spots: 2025 NFL Free Agency Outlook

In the end of an era, the Miami Dolphins release running back Raheem Mostert, just one season after his dominant 2023. Just a year previously, he had rushed 209 times for 1,012 yards, averaging over 4.8 yards per carry (a healthy clip), scored 18 rushing touchdowns, and caught 25 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns, while only turning the ball over once.

Mostert's 2024 got off to a poor start immediately, as he suffered an injury in the first game of the season and didn't play again until Week 5. Then, he got hurt again, and missed another week. From that point on, he was highly inconsistent, and more often bad than good, losing two fumbles and finishing the year with under 3.3 yards per carry. He only scored two total touchdowns after logging over 15 times that many in 2023.

Mostert didn't seem to have lost his speed, though, which is his biggest asset as a player. On at least a few plays, he looked like his old self, so he definitely has some juice left. Exactly how much is another question, but several teams could use his services, if he's willing to sign with one at the right price. Even though he's 32 years old, he should at least still be worth a cheap contract. So let's break down the best landing spots for Mostert ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

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EDIT: Mostert signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. This is actually a solid landing spot for him! 

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys curiously signed running back Javonte Williams to a one-year, $3 million deal just a few days ago. It seems that everyone except Cowboys owner, GM, and team president Jerry Jones knows that Williams is washed, though. He never recovered from the brutal multi-ligament knee injury he suffered in 2022.

Cowboys signing RB Javonte Williams to one-year, $3M deal. (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/8QossdvnwZ

— NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2025

Williams suffered the injury in Week 4 of 2022, meaning he's had well over two years to recover, but hasn't looked remotely close to his old self yet. I don't think the Cowboys (i.e. Jones) have any idea what they're doing here, and I can't imagine why they'd prefer him over someone like Mostert.

Of course, sometimes teams do realize their mistakes, and Dallas could opt to sign Mostert and just cut Williams after whatever poor performances he'll put on for them. And in that case, they'd immediately have a back much more explosive than both Williams and RB Rico Dowdle, who's was with the team for five seasons, and hasn't gotten an extension yet.

Look for Rico Dowdle to be the main running back target for Denver w/Aaron Jones off the market. pic.twitter.com/h3sti0BnxZ

— nave 🎃🧶 (@denverlovesnave) March 9, 2025

They're unlikely to bring him back now, and yet he logged 1,228 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns. I'm not convinced Williams will scratch this number, and his speed has greatly diminished on film since his injury. I imagine Mostert would immediately outplay Williams were both in the same backfield and given the same volume, and the run-blocking was remotely competent. And for the Cowboys' faults, they typically draft good offensive linemen.

Cleveland Browns

It doesn't seem like the Browns will re-sign RB Nick Chubb, and if Cleveland decides to go with a pure speed backfield, it could pay off for them, as it has with other teams in the past. RB Jerome Ford is a burner, but Cleveland didn't opt to give him a big workload last season, instead choosing to limit his touches. Were Mostert signed here, he would have an immediate path to significant volume, and could have a versatile role as both a pure rusher and pass-catcher.

🎥 Raheem Mostert’s 2023 season was legendary 🔥

➖ 15 games
➖ 209 carries
➖ 1,012 rushing yards (4.8 ypc)
➖ 21 total touchdowns (led NFL)
➖ 1st Pro Bowl selection
➖ Miami Dolphins single-season record for touchdowns

Thank you for everything, @RMos_8Ball! #GoFins https://t.co/UYUxbWQrZM pic.twitter.com/meBtLm7QOX

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) February 14, 2025

Cleveland had a decent run-blocking offensive line last year at worst, at least according to ESPN's run-block win rate statistics, and Mostert thrives in open space, where he can use his burst and elite long speed to create distance between he and the opposing defenders and rip off long runs. The blocking took a big step back in 2024 compared to where it was in 2023 with the Dolphins, which could explain a big part of his sudden fall-off.

Loading up with options in the backfield would make sense for the Browns, too. Their quarterback situation is abysmal, as they're stuck paying QB Deshaun Watson a ton of money despite how terribly he's played since joining the team. And he's recently suffered two tears to his Achilles tendon, which nobody particularly feels sorry for him about.

If a backup QB starts, it could lead to a ton of check down and dump off passes, which would help get Mostert the ball with some green grass in front of him. He can excel doing that.

Kansas City Chiefs

After less than a full season, the Chiefs seem to be fine with letting running back Kareem Hunt go. And typically, late-round running backs don't occupy workhorse roles for multiple seasons, so RB Isiah Pacheco returning to be given something akin to his 2023 volume is far from a guarantee. The team could add another highly explosive playmaker out of the backfield in Mostert, and transition to a more run-heavy scheme. KC's passing game hasn't been consistently pretty since Kelce was in his prime, and that ship has sailed.

Isiah Pacheco dynasty managers are straight up not having a good time pic.twitter.com/NQvBggEGzB

— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) January 26, 2025

After returning from his broken fibula injury, Pacheco looked nothing like his old self. The injury wasn't a pretty one, but it was surprising to see him finish with just 3.7 yards per carry on the season. And it didn't look like he improved as time went on. Perhaps there were other issues, like the run-blocking not being as stellar as it was in 2023, that contributed to his decline in production.

He's also more injury-prone than most people seem to believe. He played 14 games in 2023, a campaign marked by him battling through a number of injuries, and just seven in 2024. Adding another explosive RB could help avoid the team having to rely on Hunt's mediocrity again. It worked fine during the regular season, and the team still made it to the Super Bowl, but they had virtually no offense at all while the game was still in reach.

New England Patriots

This may be a controversial post because... well, you know the Patriots suck. Especially on offense. Their wide receiver group and, more relevantly for Mostert, their offensive line, were terrible last season. Also, many might believe the presence of RB Rhamondre Stevenson wouldn't leave any room for Mostert to get meaningful volume. I'm not totally convinced. Stevenson has fumbling issues, and lacks top-end speed to run away from linebackers and safeties.

Rhamondre Stevenson : 13 carries for 30 yards (Fumbled at the 8-yard line on 1st & goal with 55 seconds left)
Vonn Bell : 6 tackles, QB hit & a forced fumble
BJ Hill : 4 tackles & a fumble recovery pic.twitter.com/vR5dJPnwBN

— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) December 24, 2022

I think Mostert would quickly get playing time with the Patriots. Their entire offense lacks anyone with elite speed, so he'd bring a different element to one of the slowest offenses in the NFL (not including you Drake Maye, you're fast for a quarterback), which would serve them well. Mostert could handle third-down duties and be one of Maye's top targets, too, since the team is so severely lacking talent at WR and TE.

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