Concerns have arisen over the 40-yard dash time for new Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson. Despite the fact that this year’s running back class averaged a record 4.47 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Johnson’s time of 4.57 seconds has led to scrutiny. However, he has demonstrated his potential on the field during his three seasons at Iowa.
According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson was a standout running back in college football in 2024. He led among his peers, with 56.1 percent of his plays reaching 15 or more yards out of the 59 backs who had at least 165 rushing attempts. Johnson consistently faced tough eight-man defensive fronts, a challenge shared by few teams.
Half of Johnson’s career runs had him contending with eight or more defenders, a percentage unmatched by any other player in this year’s draft class. “He broke a lot of long runs in the Big Ten,” commented Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
Johnson excelled at gaining yards after contact, averaging 4.42 yards per play in 2024, while the Steelers averaged 4.1 yards per carry last season. Notably, even when initially contacted behind the line, Johnson managed an average of 1.95 yards per carry. Without contact behind the line, he averaged 10.2 yards per carry.
“I look at him as an explosive weapon,” Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith remarked, noting Iowa’s opponents regarded him as such. Though some see similarities to former Steelers running back Najee Harris, who rushed for 1,000 yards in each of four seasons, Johnson’s collegiate records suggest he can achieve more.
Standing at 225 pounds, Johnson excelled in the outside zone running schemes preferred by Smith. He consistently reached speeds of 21 mph during his college career, recording a high of 22 mph in 2024. Tomlin stated, “We didn’t question his speed whatsoever watching the video.”
The Steelers’ draft strategy also included defensive picks to strengthen the squad. First-round pick Derrick Harmon, fifth-round pick Yahya Black, and fourth-round selection Jack Sawyer highlight Pittsburgh’s focus on enhancing both trenches and depth. T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, key team figures, require careful game time management to maintain performance longevity.
Steelers’ defensive line coach Karl Dunbar emphasized the importance of youth and rotation: “If we can get those plays 30-35 snaps a game… everybody will be fresh.” General Manager Omar Khan remained patient during draft selections, securing Harmon and Johnson, who fit the team’s needs optimally. Regarding the process, Khan commented, “It just felt like it was coming to us the right way.”
Finally, the NFL imposed fines on the Atlanta Falcons and coach Jeff Ulbrich for a prank by Ulbrich’s son, who called draft prospects during the draft. The league fined the Falcons $250,000 and Ulbrich $100,000 for the incidents that involved players like Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The punitive measures aim to prevent similar future incidents.
The NFL Draft in Green Bay garnered an audience of over 600,000 across three days. With Pittsburgh set to host next year’s event, officials anticipate it could break previous attendance records.
