2025 Rookie Profile: Kaleb Johnson

2025 Rookie Profile: Kaleb Johnson (RB), Iowa

Welcome to the 2025 fantasy football season. FullTime Fantasy‘s annual rookie reports next present 2025 Rookie Profile: Kaleb Johnson, a deep dive into the promising Iowa running back.

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Kaleb Johnson, a redshirt senior running back from Iowa, emerged as one of the premier backs in the 2025 NFL Draft class after a breakout 2024 season. A three-star recruit from Hamilton High School in Ohio, Johnson committed to Iowa over offers from West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Michigan State.

He set the Hawkeyes’ freshman rushing record in 2022 with 779 yards. He battled injuries in 2023 and exploded in 2024, earning First-Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Running Back of the Year, and Second-Team AP All-American honors. A finalist for the Doak Walker Award, Johnson declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.

College Stats

2022 (Freshman): 13 games, 151 carries, 779 yards (5.2 YPC), 6 rushing TDs; 4 receptions, 27 yards; 14 kick returns, 363 yards

2023 (Sophomore): 10 games (3 missed due to ankle injury), 117 carries, 463 yards (4.0 YPC), 3 rushing TDs; 3 receptions, 25 yards

2024 (Junior): 12 games, 240 carries, 1,537 yards (6.4 YPC), 21 rushing TDs; 22 receptions, 188 yards, 2 receiving TDs

Career Totals: 35 games, 508 carries, 2,779 yards (5.5 YPC), 30 rushing TDs; 29 receptions, 240 yards, 2 receiving TDs; 0 fumbles on 537 touches

Notable: Ranked 7th in FBS rushing yards (2024), 2nd in breakaway yards (861), 4th in yards after contact (1,060), 48.9% dominator rating (99th percentile).

Measurables

Johnson’s size-speed combination is elite, with a sturdy, muscular frame ideal for a power back. His 22 MPH GPS-tracked speed in 2024 and 43 explosive runs (10+ yards) highlight his breakaway ability, though his long speed and agility are average for the position.

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 224 lbs

Arm Length: 33”

Hand Size: 9 5/8”

40-Yard Dash: 4.57 seconds

10-Yard Split: 1.62 seconds

Scouting Report

Strengths

Johnson is a decisive, one-cut runner with exceptional vision and patience, thriving in zone and gap schemes. His powerful lower body and contact balance allow him to break arm tackles and churn through defenders. 13.1% of his 2024 carries went for 15+ yards. He runs with a low pad level, maximizing his 224-pound frame. He also showed reliability with zero fumbles on 262 touches in 2024. His short-area burst and nimble footwork for a bigger back make him a threat to rip off chunk gains. Johnson’s 2024 receiving uptick (22 catches) suggests untapped potential as a pass-catcher, and his experience as a kick returner adds versatility.

Weaknesses

Johnson’s upright running style can expose him to big hits, and his average long speed (4.57 40) limits home-run potential, as defenders often chase him down on long runs. His agility and stop-start quickness are modest, hindering his ability to create yards behind poor blocking. While his hands are reliable, his route tree was limited to screens and swings, and he struggled as a pass protector, projecting as a two-down back initially. His 2024 production benefited from Iowa’s elite offensive line, raising questions about his ability to generate yards without wide lanes.

NFL Team Fits

Johnson’s skill set aligns best with teams running wide-zone or gap schemes that boast strong offensive lines to maximize his vision and decisiveness. Johnson’s fantasy value hinges on landing with a team that offers early volume, as crowded backfields could delay his impact.

Los Angeles Chargers: With an evolving offense under Jim Harbaugh and a solid offensive line, Johnson could complement Najee Harris as a change-of-pace option or passing-down specialist.

Denver Broncos: Sean Payton’s zone-heavy scheme and lack of a clear RB1 make Johnson an ideal fit in Denver. If Sean Payton passes on the position in Round 1, Johnson has RB2 sleeper appeal.

Cleveland Browns: With Nick Chubb still unsigned, Johnson could be a Day 2 target to anchor Kevin Stefanski’s run-heavy attack. However, Johnson’s style is similar to Jerome Ford, who currently sits atop Cleveland’s depth chart.

NFL Comparison

Johnson’s blend of size, vision, and fluid movement in zone schemes mirrors Aaron Jones’s early career with the Green Bay Packers. Like Jones, Johnson combines power and burst with reliable hands, though he’s less polished as a receiver and pass protector. Jones’s success in a zone-heavy offense highlights Johnson’s potential as a three-down back. With the right coaching, he projects as a high-end RB3 with RB2 potential.

Fantasy Outlook

Johnson projects as a Day 2 pick (late second to third round) in the 2025 NFL Draft. He should rank among the top five RBs selected in a deep class. His workhorse potential (240 carries in 2024) and goal-line upside (21 rushing TDs) make him an attractive fantasy target, especially in standard leagues. However, his limited receiving production and pass-protection struggles cap his immediate PPR value, likely requiring a year to develop into a three-down role. In dynasty rookie drafts, Johnson is a mid-to-late first-round pick, with his value peaking if he lands with a team like the Chargers or Steelers. For redraft leagues, he’s a mid-round RB3 with upside, depending on his landing spot and role.

Other Rookie Profiles

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