With a similar build and experience in the Big Ten, it’s no surprise Kaleb Johnson models his game after former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell. Speaking with reporters Friday night after becoming the team’s pick with the 83rd overall selection, the newest Steelers back compared himself to a previous one.
“Yes, I do,” Johnson said when asked if he sees similarities between himself and Bell. “And I always would see him, I just saw him earlier streaming me and talking we had a conversation, and it was a magical moment. It just speaks into existence- it speaks for itself. So I’m ready to work. So, let’s do it.”
At the NFL Combine, Johnson checked in at 6010, 224 pounds. His 4.57 40 time won’t wow but his tape shows more burst and explosiveness at the first and second level with lateral quickness to make defenders miss in tight quarters. Coming out in the 2013 draft, Bell, from Michigan State, tipped the scales at 6013, 230 pounds with a 4.60 40-time.
Johnson’s vision and patience may not perfectly mirror Bell, few runners do, but he displays the ability to find the hole well.
Our scouting report called him an “ideal back” to replace Najee Harris and praised Johnson’s well-rounded game.
“Kaleb Johnson is a young, gifted back who is riding one season of high-end production, but he has the full package when it comes to size, burst, strength, vision, and the pass-catching capabilities that you also look for in a feature back. He would do best in a run-heavy, one-cut system where he gets more of a runway to hit full speed as he approaches the line of scrimmage. He can operate in the shotgun as well as a back who can run through you or away from you.”
Johnson’s 2024 season was his breakout year. An All-American, he led the Big Ten in rushing yards (1,537) and rushing scores (21) while producing an eye-popping 6.4 yards per carry.
The Steelers’ pre-draft movements made no secret about their intentions of adding a running back early in the draft. Nine running backs, including Johnson, were brought in for visits. And before the draft began, team president Art Rooney II indicated that running back was likely to be the focus of the third round. Johnson was often mocked much higher in the draft, creating great value for Pittsburgh in the third round.
If Kaleb Johnson can play the way Le’Veon Bell did at his best, it’ll be a home run pick. Pittsburgh just hopes Johnson has a longer stay.
