49ers' Raheem Mostert reveals how he stays motivated after breakout 2019

Raheem Mostert's journey in the NFL hasn't been a smooth one. After going undrafted coming out of Purdue in 2015, Mostert was cut by six NFL organizations before landing in San Francisco by joining the 49ers' practice squad in November 2016.

Fast forward three years and Mostert is the lead back on the NFC's best team, and he rushed for 220 yards in the NFC Championship Game as the 49ers advanced to Super Bowl LIV. Despite all the success that came with his breakout 2019 campaign, Mostert revealed that he hasn't forgotten all the teams that chose to pass on the 28-year-old.

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"In my phone, in my notes," Mostert told ESPN's Jordan Schultzwhen asked where he keeps the list of those six NFL teams that released him. "Always there. It's never leaving until I can write it off."

Mostert rushed for 1,108 yards between the regular season and three playoff games, adding five touchdowns in that postseason run alone. When pressed on it, Mostert's goals go far beyond what he accomplished in 2019.

"My mindset is always going to be, if I don't make the Hall of Fame," Mostert continued. "I'm going to be more agitated with myself that I didn't do enough. And me missing so many years definitely is going to take an effect to that, but if I do make the Hall of Fame, and all that type of stuff, and that's my attitude, then that's when I'll finally be able to write that off my list and say, 'It was a nice journey and this is what I went through.' "

Given that Mostert had just 41 NFL carries prior to his coming-out party of a2019 season, he's a long way away from the career numbers required of a Hall of Fame running back. Former Arizona Cardinals star Edgerrin James, who will be inducted in 2021, amassed over 12,000 yards over an 11-year NFL career. Mostert enters the 2020 season -- at the age of 28 -- with just 1,069 rushing yards (excluding postseason numbers).

The running back clearly is motivated for 2020, and with most of the 49ers' dynamic offense returning to the lineup, Mostert is in line for another big season in San Francisco.

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Nick Bosa and Joe Staley were at opposite ends of their NFL careers.

It became a regular post-practice scene during training camp last summer when the player in his first NFL season would walk off the field and compare notes with the player taking part in thefinal training camp of his 13-year career.

Staley, an NFL All-Decade left tackle, certainly made Bosa better. Bosa likely did the same for Staley.

Staley is no longer with the 49ers after announcing his retirement in April. Now, Bosa should have a chance to advance his game even further with daily practices against another top-flight offensive tackle assuming camp takes place as scheduled through the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The 49ers acquired Trent Williams, a seven-time Pro Bowl performer, in a trade with Washington in April. Williams takes over atleft tackle, where he and Bosa will go up against each other plenty during practice sessions.

My impressions are, the tape Ive watched of him, its pretty impressive, Bosa said last week during the 49ers State of the Franchise virtual event. Im just excited we have a player like that on our team.

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Williams rejoins Kyle Shanahan, for whom he played his first four NFL seasons. In the first year of Mike Shanahan as Washingtons head coach -- and with Kyle as offensive coordinator -- Williams was the teams 2010 first-round draft pick at No. 4 overall.

Im excited that hes familiar with Kyles offense, so (he's) just a great replacement for Joe and Im going to have a really good challenge all training camp, Bosa said. Itll be interesting.

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Bosa registered nine sacks during the regular season and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He collected four more sacks in three postseason games.

Williams did not play last season. He held out through the first eight weeks of the season after alleging that Washington team doctors misdiagnosed a cancerous growth on his head. After reporting to the club, he ended up going on the non-football injury list.

It seems like the 49ers just wrapped up an impressive 2020 NFL Draft that saw them add defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, wide receiver Jauan Jennings, tight end Charlie Woerner and offensive lineman Colton McKivitz.

That's because they did. It's only been about nine weeks since the draft, and due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the 49ers' rookies haven't been able to take the field yet with their teams, learning with coaches by Zoom instead.

While the excitement for the 2020 class is palpable, it's never too early to look at the 2021 class and prognosticate about who the 49ers might add next April.

The 49ers have a loaded roster that's ready to win now. While they don't have a lot of holes to fill, general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan will be looking to add talent at positions they expect will experience turnover in the near future or have a need to upgrade immediately. Now, we know it's way, way, way too early for this and the 49ers' draft spot won't even be determined for six months. But, there's no hard in looking.

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Here's who some of the experts have the 49ers drafting in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The 49ers kept Joe Staley's retirement under wraps and were able to swing a trade for Trent Williams to keep their Super Bowl train on time in 2020. The 49ers hope to re-sign Williams after the season, but the interior of their line could use an upgrade.

Humphrey is a center by trade, but he also can slide over and play guard where the 49ers will have an immediate need after releasing Mike Person this offseason. The 49ers will head into 2020 with Daniel Brunskill, Ben Garland and Tom Cotton competing to be the starting right guard. While Brunskill played well in a pinch last season, it's unclear if he's the long-term answer at right guard.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller has the 49ers selecting Humphrey, who elected to return to Oklahoma for his senior season. He's a high-IQ center who knows how to leverage his body and frame against defenders. He's a powerful blocker, with good mobility and awareness.

Etienne stunned everyone by electing to return to Clemson for his senior season. Instead of entering a loaded 2020 class, Etienne will be the runaway No. 1 back on the 2021 draft board.

Etienne is a walking home run with incredible breakaway speed and a knack for destroying pursuit angles. He's a huge weapon in the passing game and would give Shanahan yet another YAC weapon to torment defenses with.

CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso has the 49ers selecting Etienne late in the first round. While running back isn't the 49ers' most pressing need and it's normally frowned upon to take one in the first round, it's hard to argue that Etienne wouldn't be a star in the 49ers' offense.

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The 49ers will need to do something to address their secondary in the 2021 NFL Draft. They enter the 2020 season with no cornerbacks signed after this season.

So, adding a cornerback who can start and be productive immediately should be at the top of the list.

USA Today's Ben Easterling has the 49ers selecting South Carolina cornerback Israel Mukuamu at the back end of the first round.

Mukuamu, 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, is an athletic, rangy corner who held his own against NFL caliber receivers in the SEC. He needs to be more disciplined with his footwork near the line of scrimmage, but is a high-upside, press corner who should be able to start on Day 1.

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