Player: RB Kaleb Johnson
Stock Value: Up
Reasoning: The Steelers expect Kaleb Johnson to carry the load at some point, and so far, he is looking the part. Though they haven’t put the pads on yet, the rookie’s burst through the line appears to be noticeable. In comparison to Najee Harris, that’s probably not too difficult, but that’s why he is here.
Kaleb Johnson has had plenty of fanfare since the Steelers drafted him, but not without reason. Based on his resume, he seems like an ideal fit for their offense. Through the acclimation period of training camp, that appears to be a fair description. We will know more once we see him in pads, and then in the preseason, but some things are obvious.
Specifically, what is evident about Johnson is the explosiveness with which he runs. You can ignore his 40 time when you watch him hitting the hole, because he manages to get through it quickly. That is never something Najee Harris did at a high level. Though Jaylen Warren is better at it, Johnson is potentially at another level in that regard.
Still, he won’t open his rookie season as a starter. At least initially, Kaleb Johnson will play behind Jaylen Warren. If he hits the ground running, though, most seem to anticipate he will see the majority of the carries this season. That doesn’t mean he will see the most snaps, though, even if that is what he wants.
Repeatedly last week, Johnson told reporters he believes he is a complete, every-down back. But the Steelers envision a diverse backfield, with Warren as a pass protector and pass catcher, and Kenneth Gainwell as some sort of quasi-wide receiver.
Some beat writers seem convinced the Steelers won’t even re-sign Warren next offseason. That places the impetus on Kaleb Johnson to ensure he expands his game to its limits. Yet I doubt they see him as the new bell-cow back, something they haven’t had since Harris’ rookie season. Not because they don’t think he can handle it, but because they’ve moved on from that mold.
With training camp underway and the Steelers exploring their new roster, it’s once again time to “take stock”. It took a while, but we finally saw some of that change the team talked about after the season ended. Certainly, the move to trade for WR DK Metcalf qualifies as a change, not to mention the accompanying contract. Oh, and they also traded some guy named George Pickens, which people found significant.
As we speak, we are in the process of learning what this Steelers team is going to look like. The dust is settled on both free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft, and now we’re in camp. What other moves might the team make, perhaps unexpected acquisitions or departures? They’ve certainly made a flurry of moves, though some question whether they make much difference. This is a Steelers team starving for postseason success, but how desperate are they for a playoff win in 2025?
