Jets trade conditional late round pick for Kalen Ballage

The Jets are making a rare trade with the division rival Dolphins. A conditional late round pick is going to Miami. In exchange the Jets are getting running back Kalen Ballage.

This is a bit of a surprise, especially considering Miami’s plans to release Ballage and the Jets’ relatively high standing in the waiver priority list.

Ballage gained only 135 yards last year on 74 rushing attempts, an atrocious 1.8 average per run. The year before under Adam Gase Ballage did average 5.3 yards per attempt on 36 rushes. That was largely based on a single 75 yard run, however. In his other rushing attempts, his average was 3.3 yards per attempt.

I would assume the conditions on this deal are strict and unlikely to be met, and the Jets will not ultimately send a pick to Miami. This isn’t a player with much value, and there isn’t a great opening for extra players at the running back position.