Kalen Ballage: Keep, Cut, or Trade

Keep

The Miami Dolphins needed more running back depth after they signed Jordan Howard in free agency. In a surprise move, the Dolphins traded a 2020 fifth-round pick in exchange for Matt Breida. After this, Ballage is now the third-string running back on the roster for the Dolphins. If Ballage stayed with the team, then he would most likely have limited reps on the roster. When Ballage was a back up running back, he averaged 5.3 yards per attempt, so he should be a good back up. Ballage is also young for a running back in the NFL because he is only 27 years old. Also, Ballage will only be making $750,000 this season, so he does not take up a lot of cap space. Overall it would not be a bad idea for the Dolphins to keep Ballage because he is a good running back three and is cheap. 

Cut

On the other hand, if the Dolphins wanted to cut Ballage, then it would not hurt their cap space. Ballage is easily replaceable and could strive with a different organization. If the Dolphins cut him, they would only lose around $294,000 in dead cap space. Also, Ballage probably won’t get a lot of playing time for the Dolphins this season after the additions of Howard and Breida. It could be better for Ballage to venture elsewhere. He will have to compete for a roster spot this season, which he may get cut because he does not make the team. Overall, if the Dolphins cut Ballage, it will be because he does not make the roster before the beginning of the season. 

Trade

Kalen Ballage may have had a bad season for a starter last season, but it can be partially blamed on the offensive line. Any NFL team could take a risk on a 24-year-old running back because it’s a low-risk high reward move. Ballage could be traded for a sixth or seventh-round pick because he is young and still has time to grow as an NFL running back. Also, the Dolphins could potentially add him in a package deal with Josh Rosen and get a fourth or third-round pick. Overall, trading Ballage would be the best idea for the Dolphins franchise as a whole because you could get a future draft pick or a potential player on the 53 man roster. 

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