Category: American Style Football

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

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There’s a lot of hype swirling around rookie running backs post-draft, but if you’re trying to figure out who will be the fantasy breakout star after Ashton Jeanty, you need to keep a close eye on Kaleb Johnson. In the latest episode of Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, both Andy Behrens and Matt Harmon dove deep into why Johnson, who landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is set up for immediate fantasy success. Let’s break down exactly why Johnson should be at the top of your RB wishlist after Jeanty.

Kaleb Johnson is the perfect scheme fit for the Steelers

Both Behrens and Harmon absolutely love Johnson’s landing spot with Pittsburgh. The Steelers, under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, are a perfect fit stylistically for what Johnson brings to the table. As Andy put it, Johnson “needs, stylistically, needs scheme-wise, needs it to look a little bit like it did at Iowa,” and that’s exactly what he’s getting. The Steelers’ run game is built for a player like Johnson: they’re going to hammer inside- and outside-zone concepts, get vertical and grind out tough yards — just like Johnson did so effectively as a Hawkeye.

Post-draft depth charts see Johnson immediately slide into a vacancy. The Steelers let Najee Harris leave via free agency, and Jaylen Warren is best used as a change-of-pace back. As Harmon notes, “Kaleb Johnson just is touching the ball 15 to 18 times a game. He scores eight to nine touchdowns this year … I can easily make a case. Yeah, Kaleb Johnson is the [rookie] RB2 here."

The volume is going to be there. Pittsburgh’s offense, with weapons like George Pickens and DK Metcalf stretching the field — assuming Aaron Rodgers does eventually make his way to — should keep the box light enough for Johnson to find his lanes. 

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While Johnson isn’t a highlight-reel receiver out of the backfield, that’s not what Pittsburgh needs. They want a tough, decisive, early-down grinder who excels between the tackles. With over 1,000 rushing yards and 10-plus touchdowns firmly “on the table,” as Andy puts it, you’re looking at a player who could be a foundation piece for your fantasy team.

Pittsburgh’s offensive line, improved in recent seasons, is built to open up running lanes. “There’s a lot [here] to stress a defense. Kaleb’s going to eat,” says Behrens. That means easier sledding for Johnson and more efficient touches.

Both Andy and Matt are ready to slot Johnson right around overall RB20-21 and are willing to be personally bullish in drafts. You don't always get this kind of consensus after the draft, but Johnson landing in Pittsburgh is the rare intersection of talent, landing spot, volume and system fit — everything you want when making early bets on rookie running backs.

Don’t overthink it: after Ashton Jeanty, make Johnson your next rookie RB priority in fantasy drafts. You’ll thank yourself by midseason.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

Here are the best player-team fits from this draft class, as discussed by the "Football 301" crew — Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice, Matt Harmon and Charles McDonald — in the latest podcast episode. 

RB Kaleb Johnson (Iowa), Pittsburgh Steelers

This was Harmon’s top “player-team fit” pick of the weekend. Johnson lands in an offense tailor-made for his running style. He’s a natural zone runner and the Steelers ran zone concepts at the second highest rate in the league. Harmon sees Johnson as a perfect fit for the Steelers' offensive philosophy and said he “could be the second-most productive rookie this year, behind Ashton Jeanty.” 

McDonald compared Johnson’s running style to Arian Foster, citing his glide and vision.

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CB Darien Porter (Iowa State), Las Vegas Raiders

McDonald highlighted this as his favorite “process pick,” lauding the fact that Porter — an extremely athletic, big, long corner — lands with Pete Carroll, one of football’s best cornerback teachers. It’s a fit made for developing Porter’s raw traits, especially in a defensive scheme that has a strong track record with this cornerback archetype.

Edge Mykel Williams (Georgia), San Francisco 49ers

Tice loved this pairing, calling it “exactly where he should go” and “what they needed.” 

The 49ers needed more punch up front, and Williams’ combination of upside and NFL-ready skills make him a plug-and-play fit alongside Nick Bosa and a defensive line that needs an injection of youth and athleticism.

OT Armand Membou (Missouri), New York Jets

Tice singled out this selection for the Jets, noting the great pairing of Membou at right tackle with Olu Fashanu at left tackle. The Jets wanted a true right tackle, and Membou is exactly that. Tice said the fit is “a lot of fun,” especially given how the Jets’ offensive line is shaping up for the run game and with Justin Fields at QB.

There were other fits discussed (like Ashton Jeanty with the Raiders and others), but these four got special recognition as “ideal matches”— the kind of selections where the player's skills and the team’s needs/philosophy lined up perfectly.

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.