Miami Dolphins moving on from veteran Raheem Mostert one year after a record-setting season

Mostert had a terrific season for the Dolphins in 2023 as their lead back.  He totaled his first-ever 1000-yard rushing season with 1012 yards on 209 carries.  More impressively, he led the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 18 while adding 25 catches for 175 yards and 3 more scores through the air.  He set the Dolphins' single-season touchdown record with 21.  His efforts earned him his first career Pro Bowl nod. 

That being said, despite his success in 2023, it became apparently pretty quickly at just how special rookie RB De'Von Achane would be.  Electric with the ball in his hands, he totaled 800 rushing yards on just 103 carries for 8 touchdowns with another 3 scores through the air. 

He clearly had a different gear than Mostert or pretty much any other back in any game the Dolphins played in. As such, Mike McDaniel made the obvious but difficult decision during last season that Mostert's usage would shrink in favor of an expanded role for Achane.  The Dolphins also invested a fourth-round pick in Tennessee rookie Jaylen Wright, who is primed to take on a bigger role moving forward in the Dolphins offense after just a modest role in 2024 (68 carries for 249 yards). 

It's amazing how quickly fortunes can change for a player in the NFL from year to year, and Mostert is an example of the downside of that.  We'll see if he can catch on with another team this offseason that can provide him with a better opportunity.  After all, it hasn't been long since he's shown to be one of the better runners in the league.