Kaleb Johnson — 2026 Fantasy Outlook

Johnson burst onto the scene as a freshman with 779 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 151 carries, adding four catches for 21 yards. A 2023 ankle injury slowed his development, limiting him to a pedestrian 4.0 yards per carry across a shortened season. He rebounded emphatically in 2024, setting career highs across the board with 240 carries, 1,537 rushing yards, and 21 touchdowns at 6.0 yards per carry, while also showing more as a receiver with 22 catches for 188 yards and two scores.

At 6'1" and 225 pounds, Johnson has the frame of an early-down thumper, though his 4.57 forty time places him well behind the top backs in this class. He projects as a between-the-tackles option with limited utility on passing downs, and his pass protection isn't polished enough to handle a third-down role at the NFL level.

What makes him interesting is that he's less of a pure power back than his size suggests. Johnson is a patient, vision-based runner who reads his blocks well and capitalizes when given room to operate. He has a natural feel for the game and the physicality to thrive near the goal line and in short-yardage situations. The concern is his lack of top-end speed; once defenders have angles on him in the open field, he doesn't have the gear to pull away.

Pittsburgh only had Johnson on the field for 51 plays in his rookie season, resulting in 28 carries for 69 yards with one catch for nine yards.