The six NFL teams that gave up on 49ers star RB Raheem Mostert

Six NFL teams gave up on Raheem Mostert before he became a starter in San Francisco.

In Sunday night’s NFC Championship Game, San Francisco running back Raheem Mostert had an epic game in a 37-20 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Mostert rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns. That’s a monstrous game from any running back, but it’s even bigger for a guy that’s bounced around the league and was best known as a special teams player before this year.

But Mostert officially is a running back now and there are six teams out there that should be ashamed of themselves for not giving the Purdue product a legitimate shot to be a running back. Let’s take a look at all the teams that gave up on Mostert much too soon.

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia signed Mostert as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He had an outstanding preseason, gaining 351 yards of total offense. But that wasn’t enough to earn him a roster spot. He made it as far as the final cut and the Eagles re-signed him to their practice squad.

Miami Dolphins

Mostert lasted only eight days on Philadelphia’s practice squad before the Dolphins signed him to their 53-man roster. He returned a couple of kickoffs in Week 2, but that was about it. The Dolphin’s released Mostert on Oct. 13, 2015. He was claimed by the Baltimore Ravens the next day.

Baltimore Ravens

After being released by Miami in 2015, the Ravens claimed Mostert off waivers. He was used primarily as a kick return man. The Ravens tried to stash Mostert on the practice squad when they released him on Dec. 15, 2015. He was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns the next day.

Cleveland Browns

Mostert joined his fourth team of the 2015 season when the Browns claimed him off waivers from the Ravens. In the final three games, he was used as a kickoff returner. As an exclusive-rights free agent, the Browns signed a one-year tender. He made it through the 2016 training camp, but was waived just before the start of the regular season.

New York Jets

Mostert was signed to the New York Jets practice squad at the start of the 2016 season. But that didn’t last long. On Sept. 12, the Jets released him from their practice squad.

Chicago Bears

Mostert was signed to Chicago’s practice squad in 2016 and elevated to the active roster Sept 21. He appeared in two games before being released Oct. 3. He re-signed with Chicago’s practice squad, but the Bears released him in late November. He then joined San Francisco’s practice squad. He was elevated to the 53-man roster in December.

 

Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.