Kenyan Drake may have been the Miami Dolphins' No. 1 running back this past season, but that does not mean he will be the featured back heading into 2019.
According to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN, Kalen Ballage has a “real chance” of winning the starting running back job, with new head coach Brian Flores saying that Ballage has done a “great job” this offseason.
Ballage actually opened training camp ahead of Drake, so it seems like the Dolphins are already prepared to move forward with Ballage as the No. 1 guy.
The 23-year-old is coming off of a rookie campaign in which he played 12 games and was used only scarcely, carrying the ball 36 times for 191 yards and a touchdown.
Ballage, who played his collegiate football at Arizona State, was originally selected by Miami in the fourth round (131st pick overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.
He spent four years at Arizona State, capping off his collegiate career by rushing for 669 yards and six scores while averaging 4.3 yards per carry during his senior season.
Ballage arrived at Arizona State back in 2014 but did not land a significant role with the Sun Devils until his sophomore year, when he registered 653 yards and four scores.
The following season, Ballage totaled 536 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground while also representing a prime threat in the passing game, hauling in 44 receptions for 469 yards and a score.
Still, overall, Ballage's collegiate production was only modest, so the fact that the Dolphins may give him the starting job over Drake could say more about how they feel about Drake than how much they like Ballage.
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