The Pittsburgh Steelers stayed put at No. 83 general within the 2025 NFL Draft to pick Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson. Normal supervisor Omar Khan mentioned the Steelers fielded some calls about buying and selling up or down within the third spherical however that they felt snug they’d be capable to land Johnson with their authentic choice.
“We fielded some calls, similar to we do each spherical, nevertheless it simply felt prefer it was coming to us the best means, and there hadn’t been that run on the operating backs but and it was a deep place, and we have been excited we have been in a position to get him,” Khan mentioned in a press convention after the draft through the workforce’s YouTube channel.
Johnson was projected by plenty of analysts to go larger than No. 83, however there additionally wasn’t a run on Day 2 operating backs like many anticipated. It did occur early on Day 3, however the Steelers had already drafted Johnson, who fills a place of want and suits Pittsburgh’s offensive scheme below Arthur Smith.
Pittsburgh made only one commerce within the draft, shifting down within the fifth spherical from No. 156 general to No. 164 general and choosing up a variety within the seventh spherical at No. 226 general. With restricted draft capital on Day 2, it will’ve been tough for the Steelers to commerce up in any important means, particularly with out together with future picks. So it possible wasn’t a lot of a consideration for the Steelers, though they’ll clearly hearken to provides. A commerce down would’ve been extra possible, however with Johnson on the board, the Steelers wound up sticking and choosing.
Johnson, who measured in at 6010 and 224 kilos on the NFL Mix, provides the Steelers a much bigger again to pair with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. Nevertheless, Mike Tomlin mentioned dimension wasn’t as a lot of an element when deciding on Johnson.
“Much less involved concerning the measurables and actually extra involved concerning the play type and the resume, and definitely he’s a man that’s able to a excessive quantity of carries,” Tomlin mentioned.
Johnson will play a key position for the Steelers as a rookie, even with Warren and Gainwell within the backfield. The Steelers hope that he makes their resolution to stay with their choose and choose him seem like a very good one.
