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. The Steelers bit, taking Johnson at No. 83 overall as a likely replacement for Najee Harris. At 6-foot-1, 224 pounds, Johnson is a big running back to be breaking so many long plays, and if he can offer a similar degree of big-play ability 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 alongside new teammate Jaylen Warren. The situation in Pittsburgh is favorable for Johnson to earn playing time early on, but he'll have to share work with Warren and won't necessarily take on all the snaps and touches that Harris handled the past few years. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
#234.63
ADP
$Signed a four-year contract with the Steelers in May of 2025.
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
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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
Could be preferred option for OC
RBPittsburgh Steelers
May 12, 2025
Johnson's physical running style could make him a better fit for the scheme of Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith than Jaylen Warren, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Warren is the top returning back for Pittsburgh, but he's also coming off a somewhat disappointing first season in Smith's offense during which he averaged a career-low 4.3 yards per carry. The coordinator's greatest success in the NFL came with a Titans roster that featured Derrick Henry, and while Johnson doesn't have that kind of once-in-a-generation size or power, the 2025 third-round pick out of Iowa should be able to fill the hole created in the backfield by the departure of Najee Harris in free agency, and potentially even lead the Steelers in carries in 2025.
See All NFL Rumors