2025 NFL Scouting Report: Kaleb Johnson

Prospect Summary:

Iowa has been a factory for old-school talent for the NFL. The Hawkeyes have produced a steady stream of running backs, tight ends, offensive line, and defensive front seven prospects for the next level. Johnson will keep that tradition alive in the 2025 NFL Draft after a massive 2024 season. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry for 1,537 yards with 21 touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 188 yards with two scores.

For the NFL, Johnson is a big back who has good running instincts. He has good patience to let running lanes develop, vision to find them, and is a decisive downhill runner. Johnson has a burst to hit the second level and is capable of ripping off yards in chunks. There is no doubt that Johnson has a good skill set with size, quickness, and athleticism. However, Johnson is not a physical runner. Considering how big he is, it is surprising that he is not much of a bruiser that will run over tacklers in the secondary. He is not a physical force, and his feet sometimes go dead on contact. Johnson also runs upright and is not adept at dropping his pads, which would help him to be more effective at breaking tackles and picking up yards after contact. In order to be the best pro that he can possibly be, Johnson needs to start running with more anger, physicality, and violence. Right now, he is a large back with a finesse style.

As a receiver, Johnson is athletic and capable of catching the ball out of the backfield. He is not prolific, but he should be a contributor. Johnson needs improvement as a blocker.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, Johnson could be a second-day pick. Teams have some maturity concerns with Johnson, so that makes him more difficult to project.