NFL free agency is in full swing as the new league year begins, and the Miami Dolphins have found a replacement for the recently departed Raheem Mostert.
The 10-year veteran recently signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Dolphins have agreed to terms with a former Raiders running back to take his place: Alexander Mattison.
Dolphins, Raiders Unofficially Swap Free Agent Running Backs
Mike McDaniel was named Miami’s head coach before the 2022 season and brought the tough zone-scheme running game with him from the San Francisco 49ers. He also brought Mostert, who was the team’s feature back in 2022 and 2023.
The veteran running back posted 891 rushing yards and 1,012 rushing yards in those two seasons. In 2023, he led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns en route to the Pro Bowl.
Mostert was aided that season by rookie De’Von Achane, who rushed for 800 yards and eight touchdowns on 103 carries. Both running backs added three receiving scores and the Dolphins finished 11-6 to secure a Wild Card Berth.
The team rushed for 2,308 yards that year, but that number dipped to 1,795 in 2024. Achane became the lead back last season, rushing for 907 yards and six touchdowns, while Mostert was relegated to just 278 yards on 85 carries. Tua Tagovailoa’s injury issues derailed Miami’s season, but the run game took a huge step backwards as well.
Mostert has now left for Las Vegas on a one-year, $2.1 million contract, and the team wasted little time finding his replacement.
FOX Sports’ NFL insider Jordan Schultz was the first to report the Mattison signing.
Sources: Former #Raiders RB Alexander Mattison is signing with the #Dolphins.
Proven vet heads to South Beach to team up with Tua Tagovailoa and Co. pic.twitter.com/uQYMZv1KQr
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 13, 2025
Schultz tweeted, “Sources: Former #Raiders RB Alexander Mattison is signing with the #Dolphins. Proven vet heads to South Beach to team up with Tua Tagovailoa and Co.”
Mattison joins the Dolphins after a tough year in Las Vegas. The Raiders run game was abysmal, finishing last in total rushing yards (1,357) and rushing yards per game (79.8) in 2024. Mattison led the way with 420 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the No. 29-ranked offense in PFSN’s Offense+ metric.
The six-year pro spent his first five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, primarily backing up Dalvin Cook. He was the lead back in 2023 and rushed for 700 yards and zero touchdowns on 180 carries. He added 30 receptions, 192 yards, and three scores through the air, and he signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Raiders heading into 2024.
Mattison is only 26 years old, so he’s six years younger than Mostert.
Mattison improved his receiving numbers last season, setting career highs in receptions (36) and yards (294). McDaniel’s offense loves to get the running backs involved in the passing game, so any positive play in that area will help Mattison be productive.
Seven of the six-year veteran’s 22 career touchdowns have come through the air, so expect him to play a considerable part in Miami’s 2025 offense.