Raheem Mostert had an interesting reason for bulking up by 20 additional pounds this offseason.
The 49ers’ leading rusher from last season told media members in a pre-season video press conference that he wanted to ensure his body could withstand the workload of a starting running back. Calling Mostert the “starting running back” isn’t outlandish, even if he doesn’t technically earn a start again in 2020. He’s their best running back and should lead the club in carries. The extent of his role is worth questioning though.
He said he wanted more muscle mass “so that way I’m able to get 20-something carries a game.”
While Mostert did go on to explain he didn’t necessarily think 20-plus carries per game was going to happen, it’s worth noting just how unlikely that scenario is, even if Mostert picks up where he left off and racks up more than 5.5 yards per carry.
Including the playoffs, the 49ers under Kyle Shanahan have had just six games in which a player has amassed more than 20 carries.
Carlos Hyde did it twice in the 2017 season. Jeff Wilson Jr. did it in Week 15 of the 2018 when San Francisco’s backfield was slammed by injuries. Tevin Coleman did it last season in a wet and sloppy Week 7 contest in Washington, then did it again in the divisional playoffs vs. the Vikings. Mostert followed Coleman’s playoff outing with a 29-carry effort in the NFC championship game. Those 29 carries were the third-most ever by a running back in a Kyle Shanahan-led offense.
The 49ers have built a backfield that doesn’t require a workhorse back shouldering 20-plus carries a game though. The wide distribution of carries is a feature, not a bug.
While Mostert should earn the most carries on the team this season, it’s impossible to fathom he racks up 20-plus per game. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if he went the entire year without a 20-carry game if both Jerick McKinnon and Tevin Coleman are healthy.
Mostert’s confidence and desire to establish himself as the team’s workhorse back has to be encouraging for the 49ers heading into a year where they’ll lean on him to help spearhead one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks. However, one player getting 20 carries per game isn’t something that’s really in the 49ers’ offensive DNA.
[vertical-gallery id=656594]