Kaleb Johnson

22-Year-Old Running BackRB
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Although Iowa has featured many strong running backs over the years, Johnson's 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, 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
Signed a four-year contract with the Steelers in May of 2025.
Ends preseason on high note
RBPittsburgh Steelers
August 21, 2025
Johnson took five carries for 24 yards and one catch for two yards in Thursday's 19-10 preseason win over the Panthers.
ANALYSIS
Johnson came in at the start of the third drive, after Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell were done playing (but before the first-string offensive linemen were removed). The rookie had gains of seven and eight yards on his carries behind the starting O-line, and he didn't play at all after halftime. It was a nice finish to the preseason, with back-to-back solid outings after struggling in Pittsburgh's opener, but Johnson won't necessarily have a large role come Week 1 against the Jets. That doesn't mean he won't be a key part of the offense as the season progresses, but there's risk of a three-man committee initially, with Warren presumably starting and Gainwell seemingly on track for at least a small role.
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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
#% 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
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Kaleb Johnson See More
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Kaleb Johnson See More
More Fantasy News
Plays behind Gainwell
RBPittsburgh Steelers
August 16, 2025
Johnson rushed the ball 11 times for 50 yards in Saturday's 17-14 preseason loss to the Buccaneers. He made one reception on one target for nine yards.
ANALYSIS
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Little production in pro debut
RBPittsburgh Steelers
August 9, 2025
Johnson rushed the ball eight times for 20 yards in Saturday's 31-25 preseason win over the Jaguars. He recorded one reception on two targets for six yards.
ANALYSIS
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Getting some first-team reps
RBPittsburgh Steelers
July 25, 2025
Johnson was the second running back in with the first-team offense at Thursday's practice, after Jaylen Warren, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
ANALYSIS
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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
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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
Forgettable NFL debut
RBPittsburgh Steelers
August 14, 2025
Johnson will look to bounce back in Pittsburgh's second preseason game Saturday against the Buccaneers after struggling in the team's preseason opener against the Jaguars, per Eric Edholm of NFL.com.
ANALYSIS
Johnson had only 20 rushing yards on eight carries against Jacksonville, was stuffed twice in short yardage and had an ugly drop. The rookie third-round pick is competing with Jaylen Warren for backfield touches, but Johnson will need to pick up the pace to avoid ceding most of the work to Warren in the regular season.
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