Pittsburgh Steelers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie third-round running back Kaleb Johnson knows he must improve his pass-blocking skills if he wants to earn the coaching staff's trust with the hope of becoming an "every-down back" sooner than later. At 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, Johnson led the Big Ten in rushing yards (1,537), rushing touchdowns (21) and all-purpose yards (1,725) at Iowa in 2024. He's a scheme fit for Pittsburgh's zone-centric offense given his efficient production, writes The Athletic's Mike DeFabo. Even if the 21-year-old doesn't catch a ton of passes, he could stand out in fantasy with his big-play ability. There's opportunity in the Steel City, too, with Najee Harris no longer in town. Johnson is likely going to share touches with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, but he probably has the highest fantasy upside of the trio already.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed free-agent running back Trey Sermon to an undisclosed one-year deal on Sunday, sources told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Sermon will head to the AFC North after spending the last two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts as a backup to Jonathan Taylor, where he saw 91 carries for 319 yards (3.5 yards per carry) and two touchdowns on the ground in 31 games (three starts). He added 19 receptions on 25 targets for 112 yards through the air. The 26-year-old former third-rounder (88th overall) by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 out of Ohio State will now join a crowded backfield in Pittsburgh that includes rookie third-rounder Kaleb Johnson, Jaylen Warren and free-agent acquisition Kenneth Gainwell. Sermon only averaged 2.8 yards a carry in 2024 and will likely need an injury or two to resurface on the fantasy radar in the Steel City.

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Friday that they signed third-round rookie running back Kale Johnson to his four-year deal. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Steelers took Johnson out of the University of Iowa with the 83rd overall pick. "Really explosive running back that we spent some time with on a 30 visit here," said offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. "One of the more instinctive backs that I've watched in a couple of years coming out of the draft." In 35 career games (22 starts) for the Hawkeyes, Johnson had 508 carries for 2,779 yards and 30 touchdowns, adding 29 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns. The 21-year-old stands at 6-foot-1, 224 pounds and is a big bruising back with plenty of big-play potential. Johnson figures to eventually supplant Najee Harris as the Steelers' lead back after Harris left in free agency this offseason.