Kaleb Johnson

[NorthCoast]

Watch the very first play and tell me Harris isn't tackled after a 2 yd run:

This is what vision at the RB position gets you in a zone running scheme; 28 carries of 15+ yards. That is a back that can find/make holes in a defense.

[WindyCitySteel]

Watch the very first play and tell me Harris isn't tackled after a 2 yd run:

This is what vision at the RB position gets you in a zone running scheme; 28 carries of 15+ yards. That is a back that can find/make holes in a defense.

Even if he makes that first guy miss he gets taken down by the LB…my guess is that he runs up the back of the guard and gets piled up on.

[hawaiiansteel]

Kaleb Johnson says he wants to do it all with the Steelers, setting lofty goals: "I feel like at the next level, I want to come in and get more. I want to be rookie of the year. That’s my main thing. Winning Super Bowls, rookie of the year, All-Pro, I want to do all of that."

May 9, 2025

https://x.com/FarabaughFB/status/1920913664732705221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1920913664732705221%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

[Joel Buchsbaum]

I would like to see his 10 yard split vs other RB's drafted. Is there an online link that lists all of the drafted RB's 10 yard splits?

Johnson is mentally quick , hits the hole fast, and follows his blockers well.

And he has a vice-like grip on the football. A good play action guy due to his style and catching ability. You can build a stretch zone or power blocking system around him.

[NorthCoast]

I would like to see his 10 yard split vs other RB's drafted. Is there an online link that lists all of the drafted RB's 10 yard splits?

Johnson is mentally quick , hits the hole fast, and follows his blockers well.

And he has a vice-like grip on the football. A good play action guy due to his style and catching ability. You can build a stretch zone or power blocking system around him.

According to rasfootball his split was slower than Warren's and pretty much average for the RB position.

[WindyCitySteel]

man, every draft is loaded with ‘steals’ but tomlin can’t seem to win

What do you think of this pick?

[Dog chasing Cat]

I would like to see his 10 yard split vs other RB's drafted. Is there an online link that lists all of the drafted RB's 10 yard splits?

Johnson is mentally quick , hits the hole fast, and follows his blockers well.

And he has a vice-like grip on the football. A good play action guy due to his style and catching ability. You can build a stretch zone or power blocking system around him.

johnson looks to be a solid runningback with better ( more natural ) instincts for the position than what Najee had. What’s not to like? But the play of the entire offensive line is still a concern .

[Joel Buchsbaum]

johnson looks to be a solid runningback with better ( more natural ) instincts for the position than what Najee had. What’s not to like? But the play of the entire offensive line is still a concern .

I am not sure if the question mark is run blocking. Warren is explosive but fumbles a bit more than I care for. Johnson seems like a real power back who rips many 5-10 yard runs. He can run it up the middle or be successful wide with zone blocking.

For certain this is an upgrade over Sulky Harris who averaged career 3.9 yards per rush. He was the problem.

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers Just Made The STEAL OF THE THIRD ROUND

[WindyCitySteel]

johnson looks to be a solid runningback with better ( more natural ) instincts for the position than what Najee had. What’s not to like? But the play of the entire offensive line is still a concern .

On top of that, he said during minicamp he’ll do whatever it takes to improve pass pro, working with coaches and Warren to learn. Love this pick.

[hawaiiansteel]

Why the Slide? Kaleb Johnson

The Expectations

For a lot of the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson was expected to be an early-round pick. Johnson was one of the best running backs in college football in 2024 and was a devastating runner in the Big 10. In 2024, he averaged 6.4 yards per carry for 1,537 yards with 21 touchdowns. He has 22 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns to go along with zero fumbles. Some draft analysts were even projecting Johnson to be a late first-round pick at the end of 2024. However, the hype cooled during the draft process, and Johnson ended up sliding well into the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The ‘Why’

According to team sources, Johnson slipped for a couple of reasons. On the field, teams felt there was a lack of physicality with him as a runner. While Johnson is a big back, he does not run angry or go through defenders violently. There were also off-the-field concerns related to Johnson’s maturity.

The Pittsburgh Steelers ended Johnson’s slide, and that was a landing spot that made a lot of sense for him. I had mocked Johnson to the Steelers in the third round consistently, as it seemed like a good fit. The Steelers allowed Najee Harris to leave in free agency, and Johnson is a good scheme fit for Pittsburgh. It might take some time for Johnson to learn the playbook and become trusted to protect the quarterback in blitz protection, but from a talent perspective, he has a better skill set than veterans Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. Both of them could be good rotational receiving backs to rotate with Johnson as the featured runner, taking the bulk of the carries. While Johnson may be disappointed he slid, he is on the fast track to be a starter and has a great opportunity to establish himself as an effective pro player in Pittsburgh.

https://walterfootball.com/ws2025kjohnson.php

[Chucktownsteeler]

He is a third round steal with Steeler DNA. Obviously.

[hawaiiansteel]

He is a third round steal with Steeler DNA. Obviously.

Yup, his selection alone gives the Steelers draft class an A.

Amazing that he was still available, BPA and an incredible value where we picked him.

Steal of the entire draft!

[The Standard]

There were also off-the-field concerns related to Johnson’s maturity.

Ruh roh, Raggy

[hawaiiansteel]

Ruh roh, Raggy

We have a void that needs to be filled from Pickens' departure.