Kaleb Johnson 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Kaleb Johnson 2025 NFL Draft Profile

I have a feeling I’m going to get some pushback on this one but that might be the case with several running backs in this class. We’re going to have a much needed chat about Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. No need to waste any more time on the intro paragraph cheese. Let’s get right to the 2025 NFL Draft profile!

NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 6, Music City Bowl 

Johnson, 21, was a three star prospect hailing from the state of Ohio coming out high school. He’s virtually the same size now compared to when he was coming out of high school. Checked in at 6-foot-1, 224 at the Combine.

I think the crazy part here is that I feel more confused on Johnson after the Combine than I did so before. That happens sometimes when more questions pile up rather than answers once you see the pure movement skills. A 4.57 time for any running back isn’t ideal. The 10-yard time of 1.62 was the single worst mark of any player at the position. Then during the drills, I actually thought the play speed was better than how he looked just running around. It wasn’t anything crazy but then the pass game stuff came around and he looked way better than I expected in that area.

This is the real problem. How good is he if we’re talking about a power back who… isn’t fast, who runs with finesse, and doesn’t have any bite with the first step quickness? Is more of a two down runner but then showed at the Combine he can actually catch but really isn’t a good pass protector (isn’t good is probably being generous). Such a weird player to talk about.

This is the good news about Johnson. He very much comes from a pro-style offense at Iowa. Sure, the Iowa offense itself stinks but in terms of being a zone runner and reading duo block with things of that nature, he shouldn’t have any problem transitioning to the next level. Long story short; we’re not talking about one of these guys who took every snap in shotgun and may have a harder time figuring things out in a real offense.

There’s a LeGarrette Blount feel to this player. What I mean by that is this is a power back who runs with a finesse style. For as big as he is, he’s really more of a one cut runner who plays like a smaller speed back. Power back but doesn’t run with a mean streak. Would much rather play the tippy toes game and win with a juke move. Do you see any short area burst because the data even says it’s not there?

Johnson declared sooner than he needed to as well. There’s a chance he has another notch or two to climb yet. The real question is if he already peaked or not because there’s a serious difference between 2023 and 2024. He was a complimentary piece in 2022 and 23 but took over as the full time starter this past year. Averaged 4.0 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns last year. Then everything ballooned to 240 carries, 1,537 yards (6.4 YPC), and 21 rushing touchdowns and two additional receiving yards. That’s while doing it in the Big 10 with real defenses too.

No fumble issues in college but does run really upright and I still wonder if the scheme will make a difference. If he’s asked to do those outside zone runs, he can probably do it. If he’s asked to be a three-down back and run real routes beyond taking dump offs, It’s hard to see it.

Mitchell Evans 2025 NFL Draft Profile

I would say that I’m much lower on Kaleb Johnson compared to the consensus. Only time will tell but I don’t see any elite traits that warrant the hype he’s currently getting. Has some potential but where is the high end upside? Johnson is a late round back to me who can be a functional piece while sharing a backfield in a committee. I do not have him on my list for the top ten backs in the class for all the reasons we went over and assume he will be off the board by the time I consider taking him.

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