The Dolphins are going with a youth movement at the running back position in Miami, releasing Raheem Mostert after a down year. The veteran was on the team for three seasons but dealt with injuries that derailed his 2024 campaign. This move benefits the team more so, clearing $2.9 million in cap space. Besides 23-year-old De’Von Achane and 21-year-old-old Jaylen Wright, their only notable back is Jeff Wilson, who is a pending free agent at 30 years old.
Mostert will now enter a lackluster free agent running back class compared to last offseason’s, as the 32-year-old running back had over 1,000 yards on the ground and 18 rushing touchdowns just a season ago in 2023. He can be a capable backup who provides speed and reliability as a pass catcher when healthy, catching 3 touchdowns out of the backfield in a career year. According to Mostert’s agent Brett Tessler, he announced his client will be moving on to a new team for 2025.
Raheem Mostert Set to be a Free Agent
Looks like my client Raheem Mostert will be playing elsewhere next season. Very thankful for his time with the Miami Dolphins, and this gives them a chance to get younger and gives him a chance to pursue a ring elsewhere.
— Brett Tessler (@TesslerSports) February 14, 2025
The free agent running back class (Spotrac) is headlined by more experienced starting players like Aaron Jones (Minnesota Vikings), Najee Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers), and Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns). Some more backups or fringe starters that should compete for a roster spot with some youth like Javonte Williams (Denver Broncos), Alexander Mattison (Las Vegas Raiders), and J.K. Dobbins (Los Angeles Chargers).
Mostert could be coveted despite his age, as he has a speed element no other runner has but he will have to stay healthy. The 49ers could bring him back to backup Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason, and Elijah Mitchell, who all dealt with injuries in 2024. He won’t be a starter but he could easily be a decent rotation back in a committee in a system that Mostert has familiarity with in the past.
This past season, the veteran only had 85 carries in a running back trio but Achane dominated the touches with the rookie Wright occasionally mixing in. Mostert had just 278 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground in just 13 games played in 2024. But in Miami from 2022-2023, he stayed healthy and played in 16 games the first year as a Dolphin and 15 in his second year with the team. Mostert fit Mike McDaniel’s offensive scheme in the run game, as they both came over from the San Francisco 49ers and Kyle Shanahan offense in 2022.
Miami Dolphins Running Back Preview
They will need another back in the mix, as Achane’s usage seemed unsustainable at times last year and while Wright should get more work as a second-year pro, I expect potentially a cheaper free agent to fill out their depth. Although Mostert was the odd man out in 2024, Wright will need to prove he can grasp pass-blocking and receiving duties more this upcoming season for the Miami Dolphins.
Tua Tagovailoa went to more checkdowns coming off his concussion and his health is the key to the Dolphins season in 2025. Miami getting a bigger back or just more speed makes a ton of sense on day two or three of the 2025 NFL Draft in a few months. The Dolphins drafted Achane in the third round in 2023 and Wright in the fourth round in 2024 so I would also expect a late day 2 or day 3 draft pick.
