At the moment, I wished to take a look at the opposite facet of the coin to Kaleb Johnson’s greatest faculty stats. It’s hardly ever 100% sunshine and rainbows for any rookie coming into the NFL, and the objective of the article is to see what parts from 2024 that can hopefully enhance as Johnson begins the following chapter of his journey.
Fortunately, there weren’t many holes in Johnson’s sport as a rusher. An space that stands out extra negatively was within the move sport. Listed below are drafted operating backs PFF move blocking grades, together with targets:
Straight away, we see Johnson was beneath the imply in every amongst drafted operating backs (25 qualifiers). A 38.5 PBLK grade particularly, third-worst of the group. He acknowledged this not too long ago as a talent he desires to work on most. Recognizing the issue is after all the 1st step, and hopefully arduous work with a robust move blocker in Jaylen Warren pays dividends.
We additionally see that Johnson was focused at a beneath common charge. His 25 targets tied for seventeenth, so not ultimate receiving involvement at Iowa in 2024. The brilliant facet is that it doesn’t appear to be an lack of ability, which is hopefully the case. That may go a good distance in getting on the sphere extra, and his whole influence contemplating how concerned Pittsburgh’s backfield tends to be as receivers.
Scouring a number of numbers for the examine, it was fairly encouraging to seek out Johnson’s speeding stats in 2024 have been just about all optimistic. Right here’s to hoping that continues, together with stepping up in passing conditions, which was clearly the weaker a part of his sport.
If Johnson can accomplish this, it will be large to a optimistic rookie yr and past, doubtlessly changing into a well-rounded, do-it-all again who required solely a third-round decide.
