The wait on Day 2 was long, but the Steelers drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
We’ll have to wait to see if Kaleb Johnson can live up to the Steelers legacy of excellence at running back, but this pick galvanizes Omar Khan and Andy Weidl’s vision for building a roster. During their first two drafts they focused on building their offensive line, with Johnson in the fold they’ve now shifted to putting someone behind the line.
- And just who are they putting behind the line?
Here’s where it gets interesting. The Steelers hosted 9 running backs at the South Side for pre-draft visits. And based on those visits, commentators concluded that the Steelers were focusing on speed over size.
Kaleb Johnson rushes for the Hawkeyes. Photo Credit: Ryan Sun AP, via YourEire.com
But, like with the feint towards Shedeur Sanders, the Steelers had something else in mind, as Kaleb Johnson stands 6-1, and weighs 224. As Jim Wexell points out, this makes him a veritable clone of Le’Veon Bell, who was 3/8s of an inch taller and 6 pounds heavier, although Johnson ran the 40 three hundredth’s of a second faster than Bell
When asked to explain the pick, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s comments were very insightful, offering:
One of the more instinctive backs that I’ve watched in a couple of years coming out of the draft. Perfect fit regardless of whatever run scheme you’re running. He ran multiple (schemes) at Iowa. Really impressive as a volume runner as the game went on, and one of the more impressive stats you’ve seen in the fourth quarter — what he averaged in the fourth quarter. I believe it was over 5 yards per carry. Might have been closer to 6.
Playing his college ball at Iowa, Johnson faced a lot of stacked boxes and did exceptionally well at it. That’s a skill that could serve him well in Pittsburgh, especially if Aaron Rodgers decides to drive a truck and the Steelers go with Mason Rudolph for 2025.
- But Smith’s comment about Johnson’s ability to wear down defenses is particularly enticing.
The ability to take over games is what distinguishes great running backs from merely good ones. Franco Harris had that ability, as did Jerome Bettis. So did Barry Foster and Le’Veon Bell. Najee Harris was a better back than a lot of scribes give him credit for.
But Harris never really took over a game. Yes, there were times when Harris wore teams down. But those were the exception, not the rule, and if you need further evidence of that, just look to how the Steelers deployed Justin Fields to close out the home win over the Ravens and the road win over the Bengals.
Kaleb Johnson Video Highlights
Here’s a quick clip of some of Johnson’s best work for the Hawkeyes.
https://youtu.be/XwadVKig-js?si=RobvtzmLD3Shm1RM
You can see why Steel City Insider’s Roy Countryman rated him as a 2nd round value pick, and while Dave Bugler rated him as the number 3 running back in the draft.
Johnson will have to win the starting job from Jaylen Warren training camp, and Smith has indicated that Warren could very well retain his third down back role. But this clearly looks like a kid who can play.
Kenneth Gainwell’s roster is certainly secure although he’ll have earn his snaps and, assuming Cordarrelle Patterson doesn’t get a visit from The Turk Monday morning, he’d be wise not to sign a long-term lease in Pittsburgh.
Welcome to Steelers Nation Kaleb Johnson.
