2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kaleb Johnson

Last Updated: 12/14/2024

Career Stats

Summary 

Since the beginning of Kaleb Johnson’s time at Iowa, he has displayed explosive playmaking ability, rushing for a freshman-record 779 yards. As a sophomore, Johnson saw a reduced workload after sustaining an ankle injury, coinciding most of the touches to Leshon Williams. This past season, Kaleb Johnson exploded back onto the scene, amassing 1,537 rushing yards, leading the Big Ten. His 21 rushing touchdowns were a school record and also led the Big Ten. 

Kaleb Johnson bulked up heading into his Junior season giving him a strong frame at 6-foot-0, 225 pounds. His taller stature does work against him at times, running with a slightly more upright style than others. He offsets this with a strong lower body that allows him to push through defenders even if he loses the leverage battle. He also displays above-average contact balance to pair with this power allowing him to force missed tackles easily. The power side of his game is still in the developmental phases as he started to deploy more often this year, but initiates contact well and finishes runs with authority more times than not.

An area that Johnson is stronger in is his vision and patience behind the line of scrimmage. He displays an ability to anticipate holes opening and find the cutback lanes, which he pairs with his quick feet and good burst to gash defenses easily. This burst does hurt him at times as he will run into blockers in the second level — he has improved in this area throughout the season. His quick feet are also on display in the hole as well, sidestepping defenders and forcing missed tackles with grace. When it comes to the speed game there is definitely a lack of long speed but has enough burst and short-area speed to keep the chains moving at the NFL level.
As a receiver, Johnson has above-average hands for his position while displaying the ability to catch inside and outside his frame smoothly. He can run most routes cleanly and separates from coverage regularly. He holds his own in pass protection, even against bigger linebackers, putting that strong lower body to work.

Strengths

• Vision
• Short-area quickness and speed
• Hands 

Weakness

• Long speed
• Second level patience
• Power run game

Honors and Awards

• Honorable mention Freshman All-America (2022)
• Honorable mention All-Big Ten (2022)

 Athletic Testing

• 40-yard dash: TBD
• Vertical: TBD
• Broad Jump: TBD
• Three-cone: TBD
• Shuttle: TBD
• Bench: TBD

NFL Role Prediction

• Three-down upside starter

Scheme Fit

• Zone or gap

Fantasy Outlook

The best part about Kaleb Johnson may not even be his physical traits. It’s his head, the vision he possesses and his ability to run within a zone or gap scheme that will have many NFL coaches salivating. This will help make Johnson a very fantasy-friendly option, he can excel as a third down back or even an every-down player, which will allow him to get on the field early and often. If he lands in one of the running back needy offenses I would expect a strong fantasy output early, but if he lands in a crowded room the points may be on hold until the talent wins out.

Player Comparisons

• James Conner
• Joe Mixon
• Aaron Jones Sr.