Rams News: Raheem Mostert trade would benefit NFC West

Running back and reigning NFC Champion Raheem Mostert has requested a trade. Will this potentially help the Rams?

The news originally came via agent Brett Tessler, who represents Raheem Mostert. The man who seemed to single-handedly man a killer 49ers rushing attack in the playoffs, and all the way to the Super Bowl, may not see the Los Angeles Rams twice a year any longer.

Mostert, who took a while to find an NFL home and break out (five teams since 2015), led all qualifying running backs in yards per carry last year at 5.6. — and that was only the regular season. In the playoffs, that number spiked to 6.3.

In 2019, Mostert technically didn’t start any games but was the team’s best running back. In 16 games, he rushed 137 times for 772 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 14 passes for 180 yards and two scores. That gave the part-time running back nearly 1,000 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns.

The basis of Mostert’s trade request is due to not being the highest-paid running back on the team. It’s that simple — and I think he has some ground to stand on, judging by what his production meant to the 49ers last year.

Let’s say they trade him. If I’m a fan of any team in the NFC West, I am thrilled — unless he stays in the division, which is doubtful.

The 49ers would be left with an intriguing trio of backs if they were to deal Mostert: Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson.

Let’s start with the worst outlook of the three — McKinnon. The guy hasn’t played a snap of professional football since the 2017 season. He’s missed two years straight due to injury and no one really knows what he’ll do this upcoming season, or at all for the remainder of his career.

In fact, the 49ers aren’t banking on much now that they are paying him less than $1 million for 2020 after originally signing him to a 4-year, $30 million contract back in 2018.

Wilson has just two years experience and is still 24 years old, but he has not been used much over his first two seasons. We know Shanahan likes him around the goal line, as last year he only ran for 105 yards but scored four times.

Then, there’s Coleman; yet another free agent running back the 49ers have signed in recent years. The 5-year veteran is a do-it-all guy who has some injury concern as of last year, as well. Last season, his first with the 49ers, he had injuries to his ankle (early in the year) and shoulder (late in the year).

It seems as though the Rams, along with their divisional foes the Cardinals and Seahawks, won’t have a lot to worry about in the 49ers’ back field if Mostert is traded. Unless Coleman can play a full, healthy season, I don’t see much of a rushing threat in San Francisco without Mostert there.

We will see, in the coming days, whether or not they oblige with Mostert’s request. However, it is definitely in their best interest to keep him around.