Raheem

Mostert

Mostert’s seven touches are his highest total since Week 9. He only saw two fewer carries than De’Von Achane, though the latter was targeted nine times to Mostert’s three. Rookie Jaylen Wright, who appeared to be pushing Mostert for the RB2 role heading into this game, did not touch the ball on Thanksgiving. Even if Mostert has reclaimed the No. 2 gig in Miami, he isn’t seeing the ball enough to warrant FLEX consideration for Week 14.

Yes, Mostert is battling through a hip injury, but he also seems to have been passed on the depth chart by rookie Jaylen Wright. The Dolphins didn’t have any carries inside the five-yard line today, which has been where Mostert has earned the most fantasy value over the last two seasons, but it’s hard to recommend holding onto him for just those situations unless you’re in a really deep league.

Mostert left Week 11 with a hip injury in the first quarter and was listed as questionable to return. He got back on the field in the second quarter but only ran the ball three times in total. Even though his health doesn’t appear to be an issue, Mostert does not have a fantasy-relevant role at the moment. He lost two yards on his three carries last week and did not log a rush attempt two weeks ago.

Mostert rushed for zero yards last week because he didn’t see a single rush attempt. That somehow would be an improvement over what he did today. Head coach Mike McDaniel said his lack of involvement last week was unique to the Week 10 game plan. A minor injury could be to blame for his low touch total this time around. Mostert exited during the Dolphins’ opening drive of the game with a hip injury and was listed as questionable to return. He did so in the second quarter. No matter the excuse, fantasy managers can call it quits on the veteran back for now. He is buried in the RB5 ranks for Week 12.

“The particular usage this past game was unique to the game plan and that’s kind of the case when you have one football and multiple talented running backs that all contribute in various ways. ... He’s still the leader of that room and we’ll be counting on him all season for us to get where we wanna go,” McDaniel said in full. Mostert should still be considered the No. 2 back going forward for the Dolphins. It’s just that the team’s offense has not been good enough to make that a particularly fantasy-appealing role right now.

Mostert barely the saw the field behind De’Von Achane through the first three quarters and then ceded change of pace reps to rookie Jaylen Wright in the fourth, notching just two receptions on three targets for the totality of his counting stats. It was an interesting game plan for the Miami backfield considering Mostert is typically good for near 10 carries per game. Either way, the team sneaks out of Week 10 with a win as they cling to playoff hope as we kick off the back nine of the 2024 NFL season.

The rushing output was Mostert’s second highest of the season, while the receiving total was his best. It was mostly early, with eight of Mostert’s 10 carries coming before halftime. De’Von Achane took over following the break. It’s been Achane who has run wild since Tua Tagovailoa’s Week 8 return. Mostert is seeing enough work and theoretical touchdown opportunities to return lower-end FLEX value, but that’s all for the time being. The Rams await for Week 10.

Mostert posted an ugly stat line when measured by yards per carry, but he handled much of the dirty work for Miami, artificially dropping his efficiency. That also meant he got the team’s goal line carries, two of which he converted for touchdowns. They were his first two touchdowns of the season. Miami got Tua Tagovailoa back for this game and immediately posted their highest-scoring week of the season. The offense should continue to put Mostert in advantageous spots going forward. Mostert will sit in the RB2 ranks for his Week 9 matchup with Buffalo.

A clear 1B behind a returning De’Von Achane — the second-year pro easily won both the snap and touch battles — Mostert was not targeted in the passing game and lost what turned out to be a game-changing fumble. Bad, though the good news is Tua Tagovailoa’s (concussion) expected return for Week 8. That will keep Mostert relevant as a FLEX back who should see both touchdown and big-play opportunities against the Cardinals.

Achane has practiced in full all week, a sign that he would soon be clearing concussion protocol. The second-year back made it official on Friday, announcing he has cleared protocol and will be good to go in what feels like a must-win game for the Dolphins. Achane is expected to lead the Dolphins’ backfield on Sunday, but he be splitting touches with Raheem Mostert, who ran 19 times for 80 yards in the team’s Week 5 win over the Patriots. Despite the impending split in touches, Achane can be viewed as a low-end RB1 against a Colts defense that has been gouged on the ground all season.