Denver Broncos: 5 Players to watch at 2018 Senior Bowl
By Bruce Matson
2. Kalen Ballage, RB – Arizona State
First off, this might be the strongest running back class of all time. The 2018 NFL Draft will be loaded at the running back position and this year’s draft will have talented running backs in almost every single round of the draft. Without a shadow of a doubt that the Broncos, like every team in the NFL, are intrigued by Kalen Ballage’s abilities.
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Ballage does not have the production that most running back prospects have. Last season, he rushed for just 684 yards and two touchdowns while catching 20 passes for 91 yards. In 2016, he managed to catch an incredible 44 passes out of the backfield for 469 yards and one touchdown.
He’s an athletic freak who has the quickness and the short area quickness to easily make defenders miss in the open field. When given the ball in space, he’s a dynamic threat to score from anywhere on the football field. Not only is he a tremendous athlete, but he is the best receiving back in this draft class. He can run all the routes and create separation from defensive backs. An NFL team could easily line him up in the slot as a receiver. In this regard, he draws comparisons to Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson.
Ballage would create a new dynamic for the offense. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield could open things up in the passing game. Also, he can pick up large amounts of yardage on short screen passes and check down passes in the flat. The Broncos could easily pick him up in the middle to late rounds of the draft.