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In a change of plans, the Miami Dolphins have traded Kalen Ballage to the New York Jets for a conditional late-round pick according to multiple reports. Originally it was announced that the Dolphins had released Ballage.
Plot twist: The #Dolphins are trading RB Kalen Ballage to the #Jets for a conditional late-round pick, source said. Miami had planned to release him, but NYJ stepped in before it was official and the two have a deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2020
Ballage was drafted with pick No. 131 in the fourth round by the Miami Dolphins in the 2018 NFL Draft. In his first season, he did not have many opportunities. However, he did carry the ball 36 times, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. The highlight of his rookie season came when he scored on a 75-yard touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings.
21.87 mph
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) July 19, 2019
Kalen Ballage had the fourth-fastest TD of the @NFL season last year pic.twitter.com/lWdPKiGNrP
Last season, Ballage struggled to get into rhythm averaging 1.8 YPC on 74 attempts. With the Dolphins adding to their running back room this offseason by acquiring two veteran running backs in Jordan Howard and Matt Breida, Ballage became expendable.
Ballage’s time as a Sun Devil was highlighted by his performance against Patrick Mahomes and the Texas Tech Red Raiders, where he scored eight total touchdowns (seven rushing and one receiving) while gaining 137 yards on the ground and 48 yards receiving.
Over his four years at ASU, Ballage rushed for 1,984 yards and 27 touchdowns, while catching 82 passes for 684 yards and two touchdowns.