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Kaleb Johnson | RB | Iowa

Height: 6’0″
Weight: 225 lbs
Draft Projection: Day 2
Notable Accomplishment: Finished 7th in FBS in rushing yards (2024)

Pros: Johnson overcame a good number of obstacles to become the player he is today, and he continues to improve. As a runner, Johnson displays incredible burst through the hole, and he does a great job of getting the pads low enough to create positive gains in short yardage situations. Although primarily a north-and-south type runner, Johnson has enough agility in his lower extremities to avoid contact in the backfield and bounce it to the outside. His plus pass blocking skills could give him an immediate opportunity to be a three-down back in the league, as he identifies the blitzer before the snap and possesses outstanding technique. One of the things I like most about his game is his decisiveness. Whether it be as runner or receiver, Johnson is quick to get upfield once the ball is in his hands. He knows where he wants to move, and he gets moving quickly.

Cons: Displaying a little more patience for a hole to open up will be key to Johnson’s success in the NFL. There are instances on tape when the interior was plugged and Johnson immediately tried to cut it to the outside. He got away with it and had some nice breakaway runs on the perimeter, but I am not sure he will be able to outrun defenders in the NFL like he could in college. Johnson was also the beneficiary of a run-friendly offense combined with a physical offensive line, which allowed him to put up good numbers despite having only average vision and elusiveness.

Overview: I view Johnson as a consistent early-down back in a committee backfield. Ideally, I would like to see him go to a team with a good speed option in the backfield already. I think of a team like Carolina that already has Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear, or even a Tennessee with Tony Pollard and Tajae Spears. If his vision can improve and he can display a little more patience, there is certainly starting running back upside here.

NFL Comparison: Isaiah Crowell