The New England Patriots will do everything they can this offseason to provide head coach Mike Vrabel with the tools he needs to succeed in Year 1. While several areas of the roster must be addressed in the coming, the running back room is one position that could use some love.
The Patriots weren't anything special on the ground in 2024, finishing the season with the No. 18-graded run offense on Pro Football Focus. Rhamondre Stevenson wasn't his usual explosive self and struggled with ball security while offseason addition Antonio Gibson didn't exactly move the needle much in a backup role.
With Stevenson and Gibson set to return in 2025, the Patriots would be wise to add another RB this offseason to compete against the underperforming duo in training camp. If that's the case, the perfect free agent target was just made available by an AFC East rival.
Patriots Must Target Raheem Mostert Following Dolphins Release
Earlier this week, the Miami Dolphins announced that they have released veteran running back Raheem Mostert.
The former Purdue Boilermaker began his second stint with the Dolphins in 2022, resulting in his racking up 2,719 scrimmage yards and 28 total touchdowns in 45 games across the last three seasons. After signing a two-year extension worth over $9 million last March, he'll now be a free agent next month.
Even though he wouldn't be the splashiest addition at this stage of his career, Mostert is someone who the Patriots should have their eye on this offseason.
The 32-year-old RB might not be coming off a lackluster 2024 performance (278 rushing yards, TDs, and 3.3 yards per carry in 13 games), but that doesn't mean he's completely washed. It was only in 2023 when Mostert paced the NFL with 18 rushing TDs while also registering a career-high 1,187 scrimmage yards.
Walk it in, Raheem!
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His ability to find the end zone could look attractive to the Patriots, who only squeezed a combined nine scores out of Stevenson and Gibson last season. Additionally, New England's 11 total rushing scores were tied for the sixth-fewest last year.
Mostert doesn't have the most secure hands, however, his fumble total over the last three seasons is the same number that Stevenson had in 2024 alone (7).
There's also the fact that the former Pro Bowl RB loves playing at Gillette Stadium. In three trips to Foxboro since January 2023, Mostert has converted 46 carries into 230 rushing yards (5.0 yards per attempt) and 11 catches into 86 receiving yards while scoring three total TDs.
After being released following an unproductive season, the Patriots can likely sign Mostert for cheap once free agency begins. He'd be the perfect training camp body to push Stevenson and Gibson to their limit, potentially even stealing a roster spot with a strong performance.
More light will be shed on Mostert potentially joining the Patriots when the NFL free agency's tampering period begins on Monday, March 10.