Approaching the 2025 NFL Draft, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on anywhere from Rounds 1 through 7. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital and their fit with the Steelers.
When the Steelers declined Najee Harris’ fifth-year option last summer, the writing was on the wall that changes could be coming to the running back room in 2025. That’s doubly true after Jaylen Warren struggled to stay healthy last season and is himself a restricted free agent.
If the Steelers are looking to replenish the running back position in the draft, there might not be a better stylistic fit for what they hope to accomplish than Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson.
Position: Running back
Class: Junior
Size: 6’0, 225 pounds (unofficial)
Age: 21 (Birthday is August 14)
Projected draft round: 2
Rushing and receiving stats via Sports Reference
Johnson was one of college football’s breakout players in 2024. After leading the FBS in rushing over the first month and some change of the season, Johnson finished the season seventh in rushing (1,537) and tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns (21). Among the 33 running backs to eclipse 200 carries, Johnson finished fourth in yards-per-carry (6.4), trailing only Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty (7.0), Central Florida’s R.J. Harvey (6.8) and Kansas State’s DJ Giddens (6.6). At season’s end, Johnson was named an All-American.
An Ohio native who grew up in a suburb of Cincinnati, Johnson’s college decision came down to Cal and Iowa. He was the 15th-ranked prospect out of Ohio, Johnson was only ranked 35th among running back recruits nationally. After a turbulent few years in high school that saw the passing of his grandmother, Johnson wanted to star in football to honor her memory and the support she always gave him.
A three-year starter at Iowa, Johnson set the Iowa freshman rushing record (779) in 2022. However, more adversity found him during his sophomore year when an ankle injury caused him to miss four games and he never regained his form after returning.
Johnson credits a changed mindset for his breakout junior season. He says he ran too timid during his first two seasons in Iowa City.
Kaleb Johnson said the biggest change he made ahead of his breakout junior season was a commitment to running more physically. He said he ran too “timid” early in his college career. I'd say mission accomplished pic.twitter.com/TZgtNThYu6
— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) February 15, 2025
Johnson isn’t going to be mistaken for Marshawn Lynch anytime soon, but his frame suggests there is more power he can tap into. Johnson is listed as 6’0 and 225 pounds at Iowa, but he claims he’s closer to 6’2. While he doesn’t possess elite speed, Iowa says GPS data had him clocked at 22 miles per hour during a run this season. It may take him a bit of build-up to reach that speed, but that will play at the next level. Scouts are predicting Johnson will run the 40-yard dash in the 4.5s. If he can beat that it should solidify him as a Day 2 pick.
Johnson’s best trait is probably his contact balance. He was one of the best in the country at producing yards after the contact, in large part because of his ability to create tough angles for defenders that make it tough for them to fully square him up.
One of Kaleb Johnson's best traits is his contact balance. It's a big reason why he was 5th in the nation in yards after contact (1,060). Of backs with at least 200 carries, KJ trailed only Ashton Jeanty in average yards after contact per attempt (4.42) pic.twitter.com/SWsav4dai8
— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) February 15, 2025
In the passing game, Johnson has had limited opportunities. In the games I reviewed, Johnson was never asked to pass block, meaning he is likely raw and underdeveloped in that regard. Thankfully, that isn’t uncommon among rookie running backs and it doesn’t present an immediate issue — assuming the Steelers are able to retain Warren.
Johnson didn’t catch a lot of passes at Iowa, but that doesn’t mean he is incapable. He was mostly asked to do screens and swing routes and he showed dependable hands in that limited role. When evaluating backs that didn’t have a ton of receptions in college, I put a lot of stock in how they look in those targets. Johnson executes his opportunities smoothly, which indicates to me it’s an area of his game that can grow with more opportunities, though it’s too early to tell if he can expand his route tree.
Johnson got limited work as a pass catcher in college, but Iowa did a better job of giving of him opportunities in his junior season where he caught 22 passes. While the routes he ran were pretty limited, he shows reliable hands and the ability to catch the ball in stride. pic.twitter.com/P3Bq32YPx0
— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) February 17, 2025
Strengths
Physical build that should support a workhorse role at the NFL level
Plus-vision navigating through traffic, excellent in zone schemes and setting up blocks at the second level
Functional contact balance. Finds a way to fall forward more often than not
Good ball security with zero fumbles in 2024
Has shown ability to catch the ball away from his frame and in stride to maximize yards after catch
Weaknesses
Doesn’t have the same burst after being forced to slow his feet
Frame lends itself to an upright running posture
Less elusive in open-field situations than in traffic
Needs a lot of work before he can be trusted in pass protection
Danny Kelly of The Ringer
A three-year starter for the Hawkeyes, Johnson runs with a powerful, gliding gait and uses his speed to get to the corner, often taking defenders by surprise. He varies his rush tempo, waiting for his blocks to set up and his lanes to open up before he puts his foot on the ground and cuts downhill. He excels in zone-blocking looks, where his vision and one-cut slashing style help him pick up chunk yards and create explosive plays (he ranked third in the FBS in rushes of 15-plus yards, with 28, per PFF). When running between the tackles, he shows surprisingly quick feet and the ability to change direction, find a crease, and slip through the line. His potent stutter-step move leaves defenders flat-footed. He has good contact balance (notching 66 missed tackles forced last year), always falls forward, and keeps his feet churning through contact.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com
Johnson is built like a bruiser, but his style is more finesse, preferring to win with tempo and decisiveness. He keeps his runs on time and on track while allowing blockers to do their job. He’s not overly aggressive, but he has the size and strength to break tackles and grab extra yards at the finish. He runs with below-average creativity and cut quickness but has consistent linear play speed to pop chunk runs. He can catch, but his three-down value takes a hit because of his struggles in pass pro. Johnson’s traits and running style make him a projectable fit in a two-back system with the upside to take on a bigger chunk down the road
Bleacher Report
Johnson navigates the defensive front with a well-paced run style and approach. He presses the line of scrimmage and sifts through the front seven with quick and light footwork. He is an efficient runner with better fluidity and movement skills than most RBs with his frame. A swift and decisive runner in gap/man scheme concepts, Johnson maneuvers well in tightly confined spaces. He combines vision, patience and nimble, active footwork to make efficient cuts to spring into the open field. Johnson is well-built and has the height and weight to handle an NFL workload. He is a volume running back who thrives with a high number of touches. Johnson runs behind his pads, finishing with power and a forward lean. He runs with good contact balance downhill, breaking arm tackles for yards after contact. He runs with an explosive burst and reaches top speed with urgency. He should carve out double-digit 10-plus-yard runs in the NFL.
Johnson has more burst than Najee Harris, albeit less power. He’s best running in zone concepts — particularly wide zone — which are more in line with Arthur Smith’s preferences as a play designer. If the Steelers get the offensive line operating at a higher level this year, Johnson is an ideal fit. If the Steelers offensive line still struggles with assignments as frequently as they did in 2024, Johnson could struggle as he’s at his best after he hits the initial hole.
TL;DR: Johnson is an intriguing size-speed combination at running back drawing favorable comparisons to successful NFL runners such as Le’Veon Bell, Arian Foster and DeMarco Murray. While he may not possess elite speed, power, or elusiveness, he is above average in all three and appears and has a knack for creating explosive plays.
What are your thoughts on Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson? And which draft prospects would you like to see profiled next? Let us know in the comments below!
