📄: Third Round: Kaleb Johnson | 📺: Smith on Johnson | 📸: Kaleb Johnson in pictures | 📺: Pick Announcement | 📃: How Johnson fits with the Steelers | 📺: Tomlin calls Johnson | 📃: What to like about Johnson | 📺: Welcome to Pittsburgh
In the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft Friday night, the Steelers selected Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson.
After taking defensive lineman Derrick Harmon with their first-round pick on Thursday, the Steelers addressed their offense on the second day of the draft.
The first move came two months ago when they traded their second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf, along with a swap of late-round picks.
Johnson, 21, is a bruising one-cut runner who should fit perfectly as a zone-scheme runner in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's offense. He accounted for 66 missed tackles in 2024, sixth-most in college football.
The 6-foot-1, 224-pound Johnson also brings the Steelers a little more size at the running back along with 215-pound Jaylen Warren and 201-pound Kenneth Gainwell at the top of the team's running back depth chart.
Take a look at photos of Pittsburgh Steelers third-round pick Kaleb Johnson
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs up field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 40-14. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs from Illinois State defensive back Keondre Jackson (3) and defensive back Dillon Gearhart (16) during a 64-yard touchdown run in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 40-0. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs from Troy cornerback Damaje Yancey (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) tries to break a tackle by Troy safety Ian Conerly-Goodly (39) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs from Utah State defensive end Paul Fitzgerald (32) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 24-14. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs breaks a tackle by Illinois defensive back Mac Resetich (47) during a 30-yard touchdown run in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 15-13. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs from Wisconsin safety Preston Zachman (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson stands on the field before an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs from Northwestern defensive back Damon Walters, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 40-14. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) carries the ball down field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Marc Lebryk)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson runs up field after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson runs off the field after an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 40-14. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs up field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois State, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 40-0. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
He also gives them a bigger back to help replace Najee Harris, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the past four seasons before leaving in free agency this offseason.
In three seasons at Iowa, Johnson rushed for nearly 2,800 yards, including 1,537 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024 on 240 carries when he put the Hawkeyes' offense on his back.
Of his rushing attempts last season, 191 were zone runs according to Pro Football Focus, while over 1,000 of his yards came after first contact.
Johnson faced stacked boxes on over 50 percent of his career runs, with 8 or more defenders in the box (50.4 percent), while no other RB from this year's class (min. 250 career runs) was over 39 percent.
Johnson had at least one touchdown in all 12 Iowa games in 2024. He also did not have a single fumble.
A powerful, decisive runner, Johnson wasn't among the many running backs at the NFL Scouting Combine who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds or less, but his 4.57-second 40 wasn't bad for a back his size.
That showed up in his game film, as Johnson finished second last season with 21 runs of 20 or more yards despite facing loaded boxes more than all but three of the other 133 FBS teams. He also had 28 carries of 15 or more yards, which ranked third in FBS.
Johnson accounted for just over 40 percent of Iowa's offense in 2024. Only Boise State's Ashton Jenty accounted for more of this team's offense.
He had more than 100 rushing yards in eight of Iowa's 12 games in 2024, topping at least 86 rushing yards in all but two games.
Because of Iowa's run-heavy scheme, Johnson didn't have the opportunity to showcase his pass receiving or pass protection skills, but he did have 22 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.
