An Iowa Hawkeye has officially been selected!
Kaleb Johnson is heading to the Steel City as he won't even have to change his color scheme to join his new team. The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked everyone by taking Johnson with their third-round pick when many thought they would take quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Instead, the Steelers chose to bolster their offense with a dynamic rusher like Johnson, who some felt was a sleeper in this year's draft, filled with great running backs. The Ohio native will stay close to home as he makes the move to Pittsburgh, where he could be slated to be the top back for the Steelers.
STEEL of the draft!@Kj_Superman2 ➡️ @steelers #NFLHawks x #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/iMWTGRNF0q
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) April 26, 2025
Kaleb Johnson may shoulder a lot of the offense for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Since the Pittsburgh Steelers don't have a quality starting quarterback on their roster at the moment, Johnson could see a lot of production next season. There has been a lot of talk about Aaron Rodgers heading to Pittsburgh; however, if he doesn't, it could be the Mason Rudolph show. The run game has not been a huge part of the Steelers' offense since the early years of Najee Harris.
Johnson had a phenomenal junior season as the backbone of a struggling Iowa offense. The young back rushed for 1,537 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns and was also active in the receiving game with 188 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Steelers' offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is trying to establish the outside zone run, and that is something Harris was just never able to be comfortable in. For Johnson, it is something he should be able to fit in very well. He is an explosive back with great vision and speed once he gets into the second and third phases of the field.
This seems like a match made in heaven for both sides as the Steelers need a dynamic runner and Johnson is happy to be of service.