Kaleb Johnson

21-Year-Old Running BackRB
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Although Iowa has featured many strong running backs over the years, Johnson's level of production stands out as a clear magnitude better than any of the Hawkeye RBs going back to Shonn Greene in 2008. By running for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 carries (6.4 YPC) in 2024, Johnson made a strong case to be selected on Day 2 of the draft, as Greene was in 2009. At 6-foot-1, 224 pounds Johnson is a big running back to be breaking so many long plays, and if he can pose a similar amount of big-play ability on starter's volume in the NFL then he'll be a standout fantasy back even without much receiving work. Johnson's combine performance was less than great, however – a 4.57-second 40-yard dash suggests he's unlikely to break many long runs in the NFL – so he might need to rebrand as a pure power runner, and potentially as one part of a committee rather than being a clear lead back. Read Past Outlooks
Steelers add big Round 3 runner
RBPittsburgh Steelers
April 25, 2025
The Steelers selected Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 83rd overall.
ANALYSIS
Johnson (6-foot-1, 224 pounds) is a bigger back who clearly fills the void left by Najee Harris, who signed with the Chargers in free agency. Johnson really broke out in 2024, his third season at Iowa, after showing some flickers of promise in his first two seasons. Johnson's box score was notable in 2024, producing 1,537 yards (6.4 YPC) and 21 touchdowns in 12 games, and now he'll compete for snaps against Jaylen Warren. Warren doesn't necessarily need the help -- Warren took workhorse workloads at Utah State and Oklahoma State in college -- but the Steelers will probably give Johnson every chance to at least work into a timeshare with Warren in 2025.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Pittsburgh SteelersSteelers 2024 RB Snap Distribution See more data like this | See last season's snap counts
#% of Team Snaps

57151%
44539%
1059%
272%
101%
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Kaleb Johnson lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2024 Kaleb Johnson Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Kaleb Johnson's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 1"
 
Weight
224 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.57 sec
 
Hand Length
9.62 in
 
Arm Length
33.00 in
 
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More Fantasy News
Joins 2025 NFL Draft field
RBFree Agent
February 3, 2025
Johnson has announced his entry into the 2025 NFL Draft, Eliot Clough of Rivals.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Steel City a good fit
RBPittsburgh Steelers
May 2, 2025
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com labels the Steelers, who selected Johnson out of Iowa in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, as the right team for the talented running back.
ANALYSIS
Brooks describes Johnson's transition from his college zone-based rushing scheme to the Steelers' downhill attack as one that should be "seamless," and he praises Johnson's 6-foot-1, 224-pound dimensions and straight-line speed. Given Johnson's patient running style and Pittsburgh's bulldozing offensive line, Brooks goes as far as to say Johnson could post a 1,000-yard season as a rookie if he sees enough playing time alongside incumbent back Jaylen Warren.
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