The Pittsburgh Steelers chosen Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson 83rd total within the third spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, giving them a brand new bell-cow operating again to interchange former starter Najee Harris, who left for the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason. Johnson loved a breakout season with the Hawkeyes in 2024, beginning 11 video games and dashing for 1,537 yards on 240 carries (6.4 YPC) and 21 touchdowns, greater than doubling his earlier season excessive in dashing yards.
Johnson additionally caught 22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns final season, taking his profession totals within the receiving division to 29 passes for 240 yards. Throughout his first two seasons at Iowa, Johnson was sparsely utilized within the passing recreation. He noticed a modest bump in manufacturing throughout his breakout season. Nevertheless, whenever you take a look at the tape, you see a participant who has the traits and ability set on tape to turn out to be a much bigger issue as a go catcher within the execs in comparison with how he was used on the faculty stage.
THE FILM
When reviewing Kaleb Johnson’s receptions in 2024, you see that the majority of his work got here on swing passes, screens, and checkdowns within the flat. Iowa wasn’t very inventive in using Johnson as a receiver, however he did have a number of notable traits that stood out. The primary is his capacity to instantly flip into the bulldozer of a runner. He can take handoffs within the backfield, show spectacular contact steadiness, and tackle-breaking capacity.
Watch this rep in opposition to the Cornhuskers as Johnson catches the swing go and turns upfield, operating via one deal with try. Two defenders fly in to attempt to make the play, however Johnson manages to remain upright whereas the defenders hit the turf. Johnson steps out of one other deal with try and takes it the space for the rating.
Kaleb Johnson is thought for his breakaway capacity as a runner. That’s additionally the case when he catches the soccer with room to run in house. Watch this catch-and-run Johnson has in opposition to Washington, leaking out of the backfield and getting a step on fellow Steelers rookie Carson Bruener as he hits the jets down the sideline and will get into the top zone for the rating.
What additionally stands out about Johnson as a go catcher is his pure palms on the catch level. He does a terrific job catching the ball away from his body with arms prolonged and has gentle palms that see the ball in to finish the catch. Watch the receptions Johnson makes under. He catches the ball outdoors of his framework and shortly transitions as a runner to get downhill and decide up yards after the catch.
Kaleb Johnson has good instincts as a go catcher and might alter to off-target passes away from his body, displaying good dexterity and hand-eye coordination for a much bigger again. Take a look at this go Johnson saves from consuming the turf in opposition to Iowa State. He catches a low display go that’s underthrown and manages to show upfield to choose up 5 yards on what was nearly an incomplete go.
What’s going to assist Kaleb Johnson earn alternatives as a go catcher within the execs is his capacity to step up in go safety as a keen blocker when he isn’t being despatched out on routes. He approaches blocking with the identical bodily demeanor as a runner between the tackles, stepping proper into the face of the blitz to maintain the pocket clear.
Watch this rep in opposition to Ohio State. Johnson picks up the blitzing linebacker from the field, touchdown his palms on the blitzer’s torso and stalling his rush so the quarterback has time to finish the go to his supposed goal.
Kaleb Johnson might not have the manufacturing that Najee Harris had as a go catcher popping out of school, however he has a ability set underutilized at Iowa. He ought to be capable of contribute extra in that side of his recreation on the skilled stage.
At worst, Johnson ought to be capable of develop right into a dependable check-down possibility who can present strong go safety. However very similar to Harris, James Conner, and Le’Veon Bell earlier than him, Johnson is an enormous, bruising again with the traits to turn out to be a viable receiver out of the backfield. It’s a ability set that the Steelers have sought from their characteristic backs for over the previous decade.
It’s honest to anticipate Kaleb Johnson to cede passing down work to each Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell as a rookie, with each being achieved go catchers in their very own proper. Nevertheless, anticipate Johnson to get extra alternatives within the passing recreation because the season progresses. He’ll be primed to step into a much bigger position heading into Yr 2 and past.
