Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert rewarding Chris Grier's faith

Raheem Mostert is making Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier look like a very smart man through the first two weeks of the season. The speedy veteran running back has been the workhorse in the backfield for the 2-0 Dolphins.  There has been no committee so far for Mike McDaniel.  Mostert has been a legitimate […]

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Raheem Mostert is making Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier look like a very smart man through the first two weeks of the season.

The speedy veteran running back has been the workhorse in the backfield for the 2-0 Dolphins.  There has been no committee so far for Mike McDaniel.  Mostert has been a legitimate featured back. 

In the Dolphins' week 1 36-34 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Mostert played 49 of 67 offensive snaps, good for 73%.  He ended up with a stat line of 10 carries for 37 yards with a touchdown and 2 catches for 13 yards. 

Last weekend against New England, Mostert was the offensive star of the game, turning 18 carries into 121 yards (6.7 ypc) with two touchdowns, including a 43-yard burst where he left everyone in the dust.  He played 46 of 63 snaps.  The percentage?  You probably guessed it.  73% again.

Lost in the intrigue among fans in the pursuit of Dalvin Cook and Jonathan Taylor during the preseason was the possibility that perhaps Miami had its answer right there on the roster at running back.  And there were signs of it last year.  Mostert compiled 891 rushing yards on 181 carries (4.9 ypc) last year to lead the Dolphins.  He simply didn't get enough touches in an offense that threw the ball a lot.  

NFL championships are won and lost largely on the play offensive and defensive lines.  Pass rushers off the edge.  A shutdown corner.  A rare, explosive talent at wide receiver.  And of course, a franchise quarterback.  That's where the money to retain the talent to build championship-level positional groups should go. 

By sticking with what he had on his roster, general manager Chris Grier avoided tying himself to a hefty contract with a player like Taylor, which would have affected the ability to re-sign key players that Miami will have to address coming up – i.e., Christian Wilkins, Connor Williams, Tua Tagovailoa (eventually) and others.  

Grier bet on what he had in his running back room.  And, so far, he's winning. 

Featured image via David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

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