As we move towards the NFL Draft, one of the common threads in this class is that this is a strong year for running backs, and this analyst is inclined to agree. Today’s report looks at a running back from the big ten who recently declared for the NFL Draft, and whose tape I’ve been wanting to deep dive for a while, Kaleb Johnson from Iowa.
As a 3 star recruit in high school, Kaleb would commit his talents to the University of Iowa, and the Hawkeyes would see an initial return early on his development. His first season saw him run for 779 yards on 151 carries, with 6 touchdowns, while adding 4 catches for 27 yards in the passing game as well.
His next season would be a bit of a down year by his standards, as he missed 3 games due to injury. However, he still tallied 463 yards and 3 touchdowns on 117 carries for the Hawkeyes, while also adding 3 catches for 25 yards.
His 2024 season was his most productive yet, as he tallied 1,537 yards on 240 carries, and 21 touchdowns, while also catching 22 passes for 188 yards and 2 more touchdowns here as well. Looking at these numbers, is this one year spike sustainable for Kaleb, or is he a one year wonder? Let’s deep dive the tape and find out:
Player Info
Name: Kaleb Johnson
Jersey: No. 2
Position: Running Back
School: Iowa
Class: Junior
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 225 lbs.
Kaleb Johnson’s Strengths
Kaleb’s vision as a ball carrier is some of the best in this class, likely only behind Ashton Jeanty. He also is a “bowling ball” style of running back; meaning he consistently barrels forward for extra yards, and exhibits a very low center of gravity.
He is also a workhorse runner, meaning he can shoulder a heavy load with minimal injuries; outside of the three missed games, he’s stayed relatively healthy as a runner. He’s also a scheme versatile runner, as he can succeed in both gap based and zone based running schemes at the next level.
He also is a patient runner, allowing his blocks to develop prior to taking off through the holes that are created. He also shows a good burst, and gets to his top speed very quickly.
Kaleb Johnson’s Weaknesses
His pass protection technique will need some refinement at the next level, as he often struggles to handle larger pass rushers. He also is a true North-South runner, missing cutback lanes and lateral opportunities quite often.
His long speed is good, but he can get caught from behind by faster defenders as well on longer runs. His pad level also rises at times in games, especially as he fatigues down the line.
Draft Projection
Ultimately, I have a late 2nd/early 3rd round grade on Kaleb Johnson, planting him squarely in my top 80 players of this class. His fit would be on a team with a need at running back, as well as runs a lot of the Mike Shanahan based concepts in their offenses.
Teams like the Cleveland Browns and the Minnesota Vikings would be good fits, as well as teams with a need at running back such as the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Chargers would be additionally good fits for him as well. Ultimately this is a runner that you can take in rounds 2-3, and still get several good years of production from him, while not overspending at the running back position on your team’s salary cap moving forward.
My comparison for Kaleb Johnson: Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
