April 30, 2025
The Athletic's Mike DeFabo lists Pittsburgh Steelers rookie third-round running back
Kaleb Johnson as a co-starter with
Jaylen Warren in an early look at the team's positional battles this offseason. Johnson, who stands at 6-foot-1, 224 pounds, is a physical back that is built to carry the load. It remains to be seen how the Steelers will divvy up the touches in their backfield in 2025, but it's widely believed that Johnson was taken with the 83rd overall pick to essentially replace
Najee Harris, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. The 21-year-old had 240 carries for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns for Iowa in 2024 and also caught 22 passes for 188 yards and two more TDs. Warren starred in a third-down role for Pittsburgh his first three years and will take valuable touches away from Johnson in his rookie campaign, even if Johnson is the go-to guy on early downs.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Mike DeFabo
April 25, 2025
The Steelers used the 83rd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to add Iowa running back
Kaleb Johnson in the third round. He had a solid year with the Hawkeyes despite their struggles on offense, totaling 1,537 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns on 240 attempts and adding 188 more yards and two touchdowns on 22 receptions out of the backfield. Johnson was a consensus All-American and a finalist for the Doak Walker Award as the top running back in the nation. This year, he'll team up with
Jaylen Warren, who signed his restricted free agent tender, and
Kenneth Gainwell to make up the primary options in the Steelers' backfield after the departure of
Najee Harris to the Chargers. Johnson could replace Harris as the team's short-yardage, bigger back in the rotation.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
April 10, 2025
University of Iowa running back
Kaleb Johnson visited with the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday after visiting with the New York Giants on Wednesday, sources told The Bergen Record's Art Stapleton. The Bengals currently have the 49th and 81st overall picks in this year's NFL draft in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively, and it seems clear that they want to give
Chase Brown help in the backfield via this year's draft. Cincy has brought in multiple RBs for visits during the pre-draft process, including Ohio State star
Quinshon Judkins. They are scheduled to meet with Judkins' teammate,
TreVeyon Henderson, as well. Johnson had a whopping 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024 and added 22 catches for 188 yards and two more TDs. If the Bengals like the 21-year-old enough, they may have to trade up in the draft to select him.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
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