The Pittsburgh Steelers chosen Kaleb Johnson within the third spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, and Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette appears to be anticipating huge issues out of the rookie working again. After the draft, Dulac mentioned that Johnson has a “excellent likelihood” of successful the beginning working again job by midseason, and through his weekly chat earlier this week, he mentioned that Johnson could be Pittsburgh’s largest shock by the top of the 12 months.
Johnson excelled in a zone scheme at Iowa, and he’ll be taking part in for a Steelers staff that may run loads of zone underneath offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. After the draft, he mentioned that the Steelers needed to pivot final 12 months from working as a lot zone as he would’ve favored, however with somebody who’s already conversant in the rules of it in Johnson, Smith can return to working what he desires.
Jaylen Warren will get the primary crack to win Pittsburgh’s beginning job, and it’s anticipated that he’ll open the season because the beginning working again. However Johnson could have loads of alternatives even with Warren beginning, and if he takes benefit of them, he might wind up taking on as Pittsburgh’s starter in some unspecified time in the future.
Johnson’s skill to interrupt off explosive runs was one among his defining traits at Iowa, and his dimension permits him to run by defenders however he’s easy sufficient and has ok imaginative and prescient to interrupt by holes once they open for him. Even individuals who aren’t very excessive on Johnson, like NFL movie guru Greg Cosell, assume he can excel in a zone scheme if the offensive linemen do their job.
The participant and staff match is right with Johnson and the Steelers, and it’s not stunning that Dulac thinks he could possibly be somebody who surprises. The Steelers misplaced Najee Harris this offseason and whereas in addition they signed Kenneth Gainwell, there’s a variety of manufacturing they’re going to wish to exchange from their backfield. Johnson might want to play a key position in serving to the Steelers’ run sport exceed what it did final season.
Dulac’s colleague, Ray Fittipaldo, mentioned that Kaleb Johnson was a standout throughout rookie minicamp, and with on-field OTA work set to start this week, Johnson’s efficiency towards Pittsburgh’s protection might be price watching. The Steelers made defending the run a spotlight this offseason, however it’ll be Johnson’s first reps towards non-rookies in a Steelers uniform, and if he stands out, his possibilities of taking part in a much bigger position early within the season will solely improve.
