All Dolphins

Raheem Mostert and Speed Issues

Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert reacts to Madden speed ratings snub, but how quickly will he get the chance to prove his case in a game?

Alain Poupart

In this story:

The Miami Dolphins were well represented when it came to the Madden 23 speed ratings with Tyreek Hill right at the top with a 99 mark and Jaylen Waddle tied for fifth at 97.

But the Raheem Mostert was left out, and the speedy running back made clear on Twitter he wasn't having it.

As we chronicled during in the offseason, Mostert belongs in any conversation about the fastest players in the league based on what the NFL's own NextGen Stats tell us.

Over the past six regular seasons, Hill has the highest mph on record at 23.24, which happened on a kickoff return for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Houston Texans in Week 2 of the 2016 season, but Mostert has the only other clocking exceeding 23 mph, with a 23.09 on an 80-yard touchdown for the 49ers in Week 2 of the 2020 season. Then it's Hill with a 22.77 in 2016 and Mostert again with a 22.73, again in 2020.

So, yeah, Mostert belongs in the top 10.

THE CASE FOR MOSTERT

Oh, and it it's an issue of Mostert recovering from a knee injury that cut short his 2021 season with the 49ers after one game, then why is Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams in the top 10.

He's looking to bounce back after sustaining a torn ACL in Alabama's BCS Championship Game in January; Mostert's injury occurred last September.

For the record, Mostert came in tied for 13th with a speed rating of 95, which happened to be the same number as another newcomer, defensive back/special teams ace Keion Crossen.

No other Dolphins player was among the top 100 in the speed ratings.

MOSTERT'S HEALTH STATUS

The Dolphins open training camp this week and the fact that Mostert wasn't among the two players they put on PUP and the non-football injury list Friday certainly was good news as far as his availability for the start of camp.

Mostert tweeted in mid-June that he was rehab was "going great" and he was close to 100 percent, and head coach Mike McDaniel said the expectation was that Mostert would be ready for the start of the regular season.

Mostert offered another encouraging update on his status Monday morning.

So it does appear all systems are go as far as Mostert being ready for Week 1 against the Patriots.

And, who knows, maybe it won't take many games for Mostert with the Dolphins to flash that big-time speed like he did with the 49ers. You know, the speed that should have had him in the top 10 in those Madden ratings.

Published
Alain Poupart
ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of All Dolphins and co-host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press, the Dolphins team website, and the Fan Nation Network (part of Sports Illustrated). In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.

Home/News