Evaluating the Steelers 2025 Draft Class: Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson

We are over three months removed from the 2025 NFL Draft, but not much has happened to move the needle one way or the other on the Steelers selections since that time. With all emotion and draft-day dreams laid away, now is an ideal time to give an honest breakdown and evaluation of the Steelers draft class.

Over the next week or two, Jeremy Betz and I will give you our personal analysis and opinions regarding each selection the Steelers made in the 2025 NFL Draft. We will put into account each player’s strengths, weaknesses, fit with the team and inside the organization, and the players the Steelers passed on in order to select said player. This will help us create a sensible, logical argument that can give you, the reader, reasonable insight and expectations for these rookies as they enter Year 1 in the NFL.

Today, we continue with Kaleb Johnson.

Kaleb Johnson | RB | Iowa

Height: 6’0″
Weight: 225 lbs
Wilbar’s Big Board Ranking: 52
Notable Accomplishment: Finished 7th in FBS in rushing yards (2024)

Betz: My favorite pick of the Draft, maybe for any team, is Kaleb Johnson to the Steelers. The dynamic back is a perfect scheme fit in Pittsburgh as a big-bodied, physical runner with burst and surprising long speed. Best suited for a wide-zone system, Johnson can grind out the hard yards and hit the homeruns behind good blocking. His vision is a plus and he’s got the mentality for the position.

Betz’s Grade: A+

Wilbar: Johnson is not the guy I was hoping for, but the selection was not surprising at all. He is exactly the type of runner Arthur Smith likes for a heavy dose of outside zone schematics, and it’s hard to disagree with that logic. It was exactly the type of scheme he played in at Iowa, and he saw great success in it. While he lacks breakaway speed and agility, his acceleration out of his cut is impressive. He also displays good instincts and hands as a receiver out of the backfield. If I were the one making this pick, I would have found it difficult to pass on Jalen Milroe at that value, and if I were to go running back, DJ Giddens would have been my guy. Unfortunately, Giddens is in a situation in Indianapolis which will make it difficult for him to stand out and make a major difference in the offense, but he possesses more explosiveness, better shiftiness, and more patience than Johnson does. Nonetheless, I think Johnson will develop into a really good running back if the offensive line steps it up (it’s pretty hard for a running back not to when that happens), and I agree that he is a solid fit in Pittsburgh.

Wilbar’s Grade: B

Your Thoughts? Leave them in the comment section below so we can compare and discuss!