Baltimore Sports Today

Baltimore Sports News Continuously Updated

Can Kaleb Johnson Become RB1 for the Commanders?

by

Nebraska v Iowa
Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Kaleb Johnson, RB

School: Iowa | Conference: Big Ten

College Experience: Junior | Age: 21

Height / Weight: 6’1” / 224 lbs

Projected Draft Status: 2nd Round

College Statistics

Rushing & Receiving Table
Rushing Receiving Scrimmage
Season Team Conf Class Pos G Att Yds Y/A TD Y/G Rec Yds Y/R TD Y/G Plays Yds Avg TD Awards
2022* Iowa Big Ten FR RB 13 151 779 5.2 6 59.9 4 27 6.8 0 2.1 155 806 5.2 6
2023* Iowa Big Ten SO RB 10 117 463 4.0 3 46.3 3 25 8.3 0 2.5 120 488 4.1 3
2024* Iowa Big Ten SR RB 12 240 1537 6.4 21 128.1 22 188 8.5 2 15.7 262 1725 6.6 23 AA
Career 35 508 2779 5.5 30 79.4 29 240 8.3 2 6.9 537 3019 5.6 32
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/22/2025.
Kick & Punt Returns Table
Kick Returns Punt Returns
Season Team Conf Class Pos G Ret Yds Y/Ret KRTD Ret Yds PRTD APYd Awards
2022* Iowa Big Ten FR RB 13 13 325 25.0 0 0 0 0 1131
2023* Iowa Big Ten SO RB 10 2 77 38.5 0 0 0 0 565
2024* Iowa Big Ten SR RB 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 1725 AA
Career 35 15 402 26.8 0 0 0 0 3421
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/22/2025.

Player Overview

Kaleb Johnson was a three sport athlete in Ohio, playing basketball and running track while leading his high school team to state playoffs in his junior and senior seasons. After being named first team All-State his senior season, the three-star prospect decided to head to Iowa after flipping his commitment from Cal.

Iowa wasted no time getting Johnson on the field. Not only did he return kicks for the Hawkeyes in 2022, but he started six games at running back. A productive freshman season was followed by a bit of a sophomore slump where Johnson suffered an ankle injury and missed three games. Johnson got healthy and bounced back in a big way his junior year. He started 11 games and was top ten in the country in rush yards, rush yards per game, and rush TDs. His prolific final season at Iowa netted him Big Ten Running Back of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team, and All-American honors.

Strengths

  • Excellent size for running back
  • Very good at anticipating where holes will open before bursting through
  • Patient runner who sets up defenders to make the most out of running lanes
  • Speed in open field looks faster than 40 time
  • No fumbles on 262 touches

Weaknesses

  • Despite being a big back, rarely doles out contact
  • Contact balance could be better considering his size
  • Not a shifty or elusive runner in the open field
  • Receiving limited to short-area passes, but may have receiving upside
  • Blocking needs work

Let’s See His Work

How does he fit on the team

The Commanders are doing a lot of work on running backs in this draft and who could blame them? The running game waned as the season wore on. Brian Robinson, Jr. and Austin Ekeler both struggled with injury last season and are in the final year of their respective contracts.

Kaleb Johnson had a breakout season in 2024 and can definitely build on that at the next level. A big back that will set up defenders, wait for blockers to get in position, and burst through the hole. He’d be great fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s zone-scheme runs where he can pick a hole, put his foot in the ground and get up field. Kingsbury also relies heavily on gap-scheme runs and Johnson needs to improve in this area.

In short, he needs to run and block with the power and violence of a back his size. Johnson is a young player and can develop more physicality, but the Commanders have to be sure he has the mentality to do so. If they are convinced he can improve in this area, he could become a complete back for the team.