The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we've got you covered with in-depth scouting reports on all of the top prospects at every position in this year's class.
Here's everything you need to know about Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson heading into the 2025 draft:
Vitals
Height: 6-0
Weight: 225
Age: 21
Strengths
A decisive runner with a strong blend of vision and patience, Johnson excels as a north-south runner who can find seams in the trenches and expose them quickly. He's a glider who can explode into the second level if given just a little bit of room, going from the backfield to the secondary in a flash. He's got a solid frame that allows him to absorb contact and still fall forward to finish runs, and he puts that power to good use as a solid pass protector. His third-down value is also boosted by his pass-catching ability, making him a true dual-threat weapon in the backfield.
Weaknesses
While he's a tough runner in traffic, Johnson lacks the lateral movement skills and contact balance to consistently create extra yardage for himself when faced with opposing defenders in the backfield. While he excels at turning short runs into chain-movers when the sea parts in front of him, Johnson lacks that elite breakaway speed, and many of his big runs were finished off by a trailing defender before he could make it to the end zone.
Updated 2025 NFL Draft Rankings By Position
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | Interior OL | EDGE | Interior DL | LB | CB | S
Final Analysis
A well-rounded back in many ways, Johnson would best fit in a zone-heavy scheme that would allow him to pick and choose his gaps on the move, and maximize his third-down skills in the passing game. His explosion of productivity in 2024 might lead to one-year wonder concerns, but Johnson has all the traits to be a highly productive back if he lands in the right situation at the next level.
Current Projection: 2nd Round
Related: 2025 NFL Draft Rankings: Running Back
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This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 4:01 PM.