The Steelers recently signed Kalen Ballage. Could this have any bearing on where Steelers will take a running back in the 2021 NFL Draft?
While many thought that James Conner would be one of the most highly coveted free agent running backs this offseason, he sat void of a job for months before the Arizona Cardinals signed him to a one-year deal on Tuesday. By the looks of things, the Steelers could have easily retained his services but decided not to. Instead, they went out and signed former Dolphins, Jets, and Chargers running back, Kalan Ballage.
It’s safe to say that Pittsburgh has a type. They clearly have always coveted big backs, and Ballage fits the bill. At 6’1 1/2” and 228 pounds, he compares favorably to both Conner and Le’Veon Bell from a size standpoint. However, his career has been less than spectacular to date.
Still just 25 years old, perhaps Pittsburgh believes that Ballage could be a solid rotational piece in the backfield in 2021, but his cap hit ($920,000) suggests that he won’t be much more than that. However, with four capable running backs under contract prior to the 2021 NFL Draft, one must wonder if this signing has any bearing on what the Steelers will do on draft day.
Ballage signing doesn’t change much for Steelers
Ballage might be a big back with experience as both a runner and pass-catcher, but his signing doesn’t change things very much for Pittsburgh this April. Though the Steelers have Ballage, Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, and Jaylen Samuels all under contract for the 2021 season, they are still clearly in need of an upgrade.
The question is how soon do the Steelers dip their feet in the running back pool this year? Based on Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert’s visits this offseason, taking a running back isn’t out of the question as early as the first round. However, history might suggest that this may not happen.
The Steelers have drafted just one first-round running back over the last 31 years (Rashard Mendenhall), and that selection didn’t go quite as planned. Colbert has never been one to put much emphasis on the position. The two best running backs since he has been there (Le’Veon Bell and Jerome Bettis) were acquired for just a pair of day-two picks between them, and that trend may continue.
More than likely, Kalen Ballage will find himself in some sort of rotation on offense this year, and his salary would suggest that he isn’t necessarily a lock to make the roster. However, with four young running backs now under contract, perhaps this gives Pittsburgh just a little bit of leeway from taking a running back in the first round this year.
Ballage isn’t a dynamic player who is going to shake up Pittsburgh’s draft board this April, but maybe his signing could allow the team to wait just another round or two before taking their running back this year. If that proves to be the case, bringing him could prove to be worth it.