Kaleb Johnson, a standout running back from the University of Iowa, has emerged as a promising prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 225 pounds, Johnson combines size, strength, and agility, making him an intriguing addition to any NFL roster.
Early Career and Development
During his initial two seasons at Iowa, Johnson served as a backup to Leshon Williams, primarily participating in short-yardage situations. His performance during this period was modest, but he earned the starting role over Williams by the start of the 2024 season. Williams transferred after the first three weeks, allowing Johnson to take on a more significant role in the offense.
Breakout 2024 Season
In his first season as a starter, Johnson showcased his potential by averaging over 125 rushing yards per game. He demonstrated a remarkable ability to break long runs and gain extra yards after contact, positioning himself as a home-run threat. Additionally, Johnson displayed growth as a receiver, catching 22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. His performance in 2024 included 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. (playerprofiler.com)
Strengths and Skills
Vision and Patience: Johnson excels at reading blocks and allowing plays to develop before attacking, showcasing excellent field vision.
Contact Balance: He consistently absorbs hits, stays on his feet, and falls forward for extra yardage, demonstrating strong contact balance.
Burst and Acceleration: Johnson possesses a quick initial burst to hit the hole and reach top speed efficiently, aiding in his effectiveness as a runner.
Scheme Versatility: Effective in both gap and zone running systems, Johnson's versatility allows him to adapt to various offensive schemes.
Workhorse Ability: He can handle a heavy workload without wearing down late in games, showcasing durability and stamina.
Pass-Catching Upside: With solid hands in the screen game and potential for further development, Johnson offers value in the passing attack.
- Pass Protection Willingness: He shows strength in pass blocking, though technique still needs refining, indicating a willingness to contribute in all facets of the game.
Areas for Improvement
Long Speed: While Johnson has good speed, he can be caught from behind by faster defenders on longer runs, suggesting a need for improved top-end speed.
Elusiveness and Lateral Agility: As a north-south runner, he struggles with sudden cuts and lateral movement, which can limit his ability to create explosive plays.
Cutback Recognition: Johnson can miss cutback lanes, limiting his ability to exploit all running opportunities.
Route Running: His receiving route tree is basic, and he is not yet a dynamic threat in the passing game, indicating room for development in this area.
- Pass Protection Technique: Improvement is needed in blitz pickup execution and anchoring against larger rushers to enhance his pass protection skills.
Projected Role in the NFL
Johnson is projected to be a two-down back in the NFL. His lack of experience catching passes and struggles as a pass protector may limit his role initially. However, his athleticism and physical running style provide a foundation for potential development into a three-down back over time. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have one of the best third-down backs in the NFL in Jaylen Warren. Warren's strong play and Najee Harris's departure suggest an even larger role for Warren on early downs in 2025. Johnson is expected to take on the Harris role in the offense, with Warren cutting into his playing time more than Warren cut into Harris's time. A 50-50 split on early downs between Warren and Johnson is anticipated, while Warren takes all of the third downs. The Steelers also added Kenneth Gainwell in free agency, who seems like injury insurance at this point. Cordarrelle Patterson is also on the roster, but he is just as likely to be involved as a wide receiver as he is a running back.
Impact of Teammates and Coaching
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is known for his run-heavy schemes. In 2023, both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren finished in the top 24 in fantasy points, and this running back pair should be even better. A lot of Johnson's value could depend on what happens at quarterback. If the Steelers add Aaron Rodgers, we could see their run rate change significantly. In such a case, Johnson is much less likely to have fantasy value this season. Smith is known for his zone-blocking schemes, and the Steelers had the fourth-highest rate of using zone runs last season. Johnson is very experienced in zone runs but performed better in gap schemes, so it's possible we see the team shift more towards a neutral use of zone runs. The Steelers completely reworked their offensive line last season, including three early picks on offensive linemen. First-round pick Troy Fautanu only played one game as a rookie due to injuries, while Mason McCormick played exactly as you would expect a fourth-round rookie to perform as a starter. While the offensive line seemed relatively average, the Steelers have also emphasized blocking among their tight ends, with Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward having decent run-block grades. Ideally, the youth and continuity on the offensive line can lead to some improvement, but we should expect the line to be roughly around league average.
Conclusion
Kaleb Johnson is likely to finish second in fantasy points among running backs on the Steelers. Still, he might be one of the most fantasy-relevant backups if the Steelers continue running at an exceptionally high rate. His combination of size, vision, and physicality makes him a valuable asset for the Steelers' offense, with the potential for significant contributions in the 2025 season.