Former NFL running back turned NFL Media analyst Maurice Jones-Drew ranked his top 15 running backs, as he will do each week. San Francisco 49ers back Raheem Mostert came in at No. 11 on the list after one week's worth of NFL games.

Mostert earned his first career NFL start. That's right. In his sixth NFL season, Mostert finally made his first start on Sunday. Yes, he led the team in rushing last season but wasn't on the field with his teammates during the first offensive snap of any game.


Mostert showed off his versatility on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, rushing for 56 yards on 15 attempts and hauling in four passes for 95 yards and a score. That's a total of 151 all-purpose yards, which included a 76-yard touchdown reception that saw the running back reach a top speed of 22.73 MPH. It's the fastest speed reached by a running back over the last three seasons.


"With the 49ers losing wide receivers by the minute, Mostert stepped up in a big way in both the run and pass games," wrote Jones-Drew. "He was the team's leading rusher (gaining a bulk of the carries in a deep backfield) and leading receiver (with an electric 76-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the first quarter). Thank goodness the Niners held onto him this offseason after all."

That last part refers to the contract dispute between Mostert and the 49ers this offseason that led to the running back requesting a trade. The two sides eventually came to an agreement.

At No. 1 within Jones-Drew's ranking is Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers.

Mostert will have an opportunity to climb the rankings this weekend as the 49ers travel to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Jets. It is the first of two consecutive games at that venue. San Francisco will play the New York Giants there a week from Sunday.

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