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Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-Round 2018 mock draft eight days away

By Larry Brake

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey battles with Miami offensive lineman KC McDermott during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey battles with Miami offensive lineman KC McDermott during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, AZ – NOVEMBER 25: Running back Kalen Ballage #7 of the Arizona State Sun Devils dives into the endzone to score on a one yard rushing touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ – NOVEMBER 25: Running back Kalen Ballage #7 of the Arizona State Sun Devils dives into the endzone to score on a one yard rushing touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Round 4: Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State

Kalen Ballage gets taken here to back up Leonard Fournette. With the release of Chris Ivory, Jacksonville needs a running back to complement Fournette. Ballage is a big back that could be the first and goal from the one, guy.

Ballage stands 6-3, weighing 230 pounds. Physically, he is built similar to Chuck Muncie. Don Coryell utilized Muncie in San Diego as his feature back.

Expect the Jaguars to run more Air Coryell offensively with Ballage and Fournette running the ball. Speedy Corey Grant may become the passing option instead of T.J. Yeldon. There are several options with Ballage if the Jaguars become creative offensively.

Ballage ran a 4.46 second forty yard dash at the NFL Combine. He ran for 1984 yards with 27 rushing touchdowns at Arizona State. As a receiver, he caught 82 passes for 684 yards for an 8.3 average per catch with two touchdowns. His statistical numbers appear to be low, however Arizona State employed the running back by committee approach.

According to his player bio at NFL.com:

"Ballage made national headlines in 2016 by tying the FBS record by using his power and speed to score eight touchdowns in one game (seven rushing — most from the Wildcat formation in the red zone — and one receiving) …  did not earn any all-conference efforts because he split carries … with Demario Richard, but he scored 14 rushing touchdowns, provided a safety valve in the receiving game … and returned kicks … split carries with Richard again in 2017, …"

Ballage is an all-purpose running back that the Jaguars could creatively use in the offense. He could take carries away from Fournette but keeping Fournette healthy, is a top priority.

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