Fans are eager to see what Raheem Mostert can do while taking on a bigger workload during the upcoming season. The San Francisco 49ers running back has been preparing for that, you know, assuming the team doesn't trade him and assuming there is a season to be played.
"Right now, I'm just building myself up," Mostert told reporters in May. "I'm actually gaining some more muscle, which is kind of bizarre just because I haven't really been able to think about gaining muscle because I've already had muscle like that.
"Just trying to incorporate those things in my daily workouts, so that way, I'm able to take those hits and be one of those guys getting 200 carries. I've got to get prepared for that, and the only way that I know how is to get bulky and stronger."
Of course, that was before Mostert and his agent requested a trade after months of trying to negotiate a more lucrative contract. It was reported on Monday, however, that Mostert had reached out to the team to "clear the air," leading many to speculate that he will report to training camp on time.
Assuming Mostert is on the roster, NFL Media analyst Cynthia Frelund expects the running back to build on his 137-carry, 772-rushing-yard, and eight-rushing-touchdown 2019 campaign. She named Mostert as the 49ers player most likely to improve.
Wrote Frelund:
Mostert's 2019 efficiency while splitting carries in this run-heavy offense helps drive my forecast that he'll be a top-10 running back in 2020 (in non-PPR fantasy rankings), presuming his full-season usage ticks up, with Matt Breida having been traded to Miami. One of my favorite metrics from last season? Mostert led all qualified running backs in yards per rush outside the tackles (6.2, per NGS).
Mostert is expected to report to training camp in one week for COVID-19 testing and could enter the 49ers' facility a few days after that.
