It seems that despite an impressive season, Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert isn’t receiving the accolades he might rightly deserve. According to a recent analysis on cbssports.com, Mostert has been pegged as the Dolphins’ most underappreciated player, echoing sentiments that his significant contributions are flying under the radar.
During the 2023 NFL season, Mostert turned in stellar performances, achieving 1,012 rushing yards on 209 carries. His knack for finding the end zone was particularly noteworthy, tying with Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers for a league-high 21 touchdowns. Such impressive stats highlight Mostert’s pivotal role in the Dolphins’ offensive strategy.
Despite his success, the Dolphins have made moves that suggest they are also planning for the future. In the 2023 NFL Draft, the team secured De’Von Achane and followed up by trading up to pick Jaylen Wright in the fourth round of the 2024 Draft. While some might view these decisions as preparations for a team without Mostert, it appears more so that Miami aims to build a robust, multi-faceted running game, enhancing their already league-leading yards-per-attempt average from last season.
Achane, sharing the load when healthy, accumulated an impressive 800 yards in his rookie season. This strategy has enabled Dolphins’ coach Mike McDaniel to optimize his backfield, utilizing speed as a deadly component of his game plan.
Mostert, who followed McDaniel from San Francisco to Miami in 2022, has been a major part of that strategy. At 33 years old, he remains one of the fastest players in the NFL, and his explosive ability to break long runs remains undiminished.
Recognizing his value, the Dolphins extended Mostert’s contract for another year in April, indicating their belief in his ongoing performance.
While Mostert’s situation stands out, it’s worth mentioning another Dolphin who might also feel the sting of being underappreciated: kicker Jason Sanders. Not highlighted in the CBS Sports story but deserving of mention, Sanders proved his mettle in the crucial Christmas Day game against Dallas. His perfect performance included hitting three 50-plus yard field goals and securing the win with a fourth-quarter game-winner, yet another testament to the essential, though often overlooked, role of kickers.
As the Dolphins continue to fine-tune their roster and strategies, players like Mostert and Sanders will be critical to their success, whether they grab headlines or not. Their contributions, although sometimes not as celebrated, are integral to the team’s achievements on the field.