What It Means:

Barrows believes that Mostert may actually sign a new deal before George Kittle, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Mostert has $6.7 million and two years left on his current deal. He and Tevin Coleman are set up to share early-down work in 2020, though the 49ers are expected to lean on the hot hand. Mostert averaged 5.8 yards and totaled 1,108 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns on 190 carries last season, playoffs included. More than half of those carries (117) came in the 49ers' eight contests from Week 13 through the Super Bowl.

Mostert is the RB24 in numberFire's preseason fantasy rankings. Our models project him for 204.6 carries, 908.8 rushing yards, 25.4 receptions (33.5 targets), 199.9 receiving yards, and 9.1 touchdowns. Mostert added 0.14 Rushing Net Expected Points per play last season, most in the NFL among 45 backs with 100-plus carries.