Kaleb Johnson
Running Back
Kaleb Johnson News
Kaleb Johnson Could Join Packers' Backfield Mix in Week 2
Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson could get his first offensive work of the season Sunday against the New York Jets. Johnson was active in Week 1 but did not play an offensive snap, while MarShawn Lloyd handled 13 carries for 37 yards and Chris Brooks added seven carries for 29. Head coach Matt LaFleur said this week that Johnson is expected to be in for some plays, which at least puts him in the backfield mix after watching from the sideline in the opener. How much work that turns into is still unclear. Johnson remains listed third on Green Bay's unofficial depth chart behind Lloyd and Brooks, and both backs were involved last week. For fantasy managers, that makes Johnson more of a player to monitor than someone to trust right away. The coaching staff appears ready to give him a look, but there is not enough evidence yet to know whether those snaps will turn into meaningful touches.
Sep 20, 2026 8:58 AM EST
Kaleb Johnson Still the Odd Man Out After Change of Scenery
Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson remains off the fantasy radar despite a trade late in the preseason. Johnson was on the roster bubble with the Steelers, who ultimately dealt him to the Packers after Josh Jacobs was placed on the commissioner's exempt list. There was some speculation that the former third-round pick could lead the way in Green Bay's backfield. In reality, he operated as the No. 3 running back in Week 1 due to his lack of familiarity with the Packers' system and his underwhelming track record in the NFL. MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks were extremely disappointing in the season opener, while Johnson didn't log a single offensive snap. We don't expect to see a major depth chart shakeup this week, which means that Johnson will remain buried in the third-string role with minimal volume headed his way. He can be dropped in most fantasy leagues.
Sep 17, 2026 6:57 PM EST
Kaleb Johnson Is Set for Debut with Packers, but Exact Role is Cloudy
Running back Kaleb Johnson will make his debut with the Green Bay Packers in a Week 1 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings to begin the 2026 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Johnson to the Packers in late August. With running back Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner's Exempt List, the Packers will rely on a committee of MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and Johnson in the backfield. How exactly that rotation works out is anybody's guess right now, but Lloyd is currently listed as the starter. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur recently said that Johnson could certainly play a role right away for Green Bay. The Vikings allowed 124.1 rushing yards per game in 2025. Johnson enters the matchup with the Vikings as the No. 68 running back for Week 1, according to RotoBaller. It is probably best to leave Johnson, who is rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues, on the bench or waiver wire for Week 1 and monitor how things progress.
Sep 12, 2026 8:09 AM EST
Kaleb Johnson Could Play a Role in Week 1 Against Vikings
Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson, who was acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers during training camp to help with RB depth in light of the Josh Jacobs (personal) situation, could be a factor immediately in the Week 1 season opener this Sunday versus the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, according to Weston Hodkiewicz of the team's official website. "Yes. He's done a nice job. It does help there was some carryover not only from when he was at Iowa with Tim Lester but also having Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh," head coach Matt LaFleur said when asked if Johnson could help this weekend. The 23-year-old from Iowa had a forgettable rookie year in the Steel City in 2025, carrying the ball only 28 times for 69 yards in 10 regular-season games. Now in Green Bay, Johnson has some interesting short-term fantasy value in deeper leagues with Jacobs out for Week 1 and potentially facing an early-season suspension. MarShawn Lloyd is expected to see most of the backfield work out of the gate, but he has only played in one NFL game due to injuries. We are not recommending Johnson as a starting fantasy option in Week 1, but he is worth a waiver-wire flier if you have Jacobs rostered and are looking for more RB depth. Johnson is rostered in 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Sep 9, 2026 9:58 AM EST
Kaleb Johnson Worth Stashing in Deeper Leagues
Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson is worth keeping an eye on while Josh Jacobs remains unavailable. The Packers traded a 2028 sixth-round pick for Johnson on Aug. 30 after his quiet rookie season in Pittsburgh, where he managed only 69 yards on 28 carries. The opportunity in Green Bay is better. MarShawn Lloyd should get the first crack at leading the backfield, but Johnson has already worked alongside him with the first-team offense, while Chris Brooks is better suited for passing-down work. Johnson also has some familiarity with Matt LaFleur's system after playing in a similar offense during his final season at Iowa. None of that makes him a Week 1 starter, and RotoBaller currently has him at RB70 for the opener against Minnesota. The waiver outlook is more interesting than the immediate lineup value. RotoBaller recommends Johnson in leagues with 14 or more teams, which fits where things stand. He's a speculative stash with a path to more work if this backfield stays unsettled.
Sep 7, 2026 11:09 AM EST
Familiarity With Packers' Scheme Should Help Kaleb Johnson
Iowa Hawkeyes offensive coordinator Tim Lester spent the 2023 season with the Green Bay Packers as an analyst and was named offensive coordinator at Iowa in 2024, where he inherited new Packers running back Kaleb Johnson and brought along head coach Matt LaFleur's offense, according to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. "He should have unbelievable familiarity with the system, that's for sure, because that's exactly what we ran his senior year of college, which is good," Lester said. "And so I've been excited for him to get his shot and kind of get settled. The NFL normally takes a little bit of time to get adjusted, but definitely a talented kid." It should help Johnson, a third-rounder by the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, get up to speed much faster after recently being acquired in a trade from Pittsburgh to help the Packers with RB depth now that Josh Jacobs will not be with the team to begin the 2026 season. Johnson had 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns at Iowa in 2024, with 4.4 yards on average coming after contact. The 23-year-old excels at breaking tackles, although he only had 28 carries for 69 yards (2.5 yards per carry) in 10 games with the Steelers as a rookie. Johnson's rookie season was forgettable, but he could quickly turn things around in Green Bay in an offense he is much more familiar with. MarShawn Lloyd is expected to get the first crack at RB1 duties with Jacobs out, but Johnson should not be ignored as a late-round handcuff with rising value because of Jacobs' status.
Sep 4, 2026 8:36 AM EST
Packers High On New Acquisition Kaleb Johnson
Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson has been traded over from the Pittsburgh Steelers and amid the troubles with running back Josh Jacobs, the Packers organization is high on the addition of Johnson. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst had this to say about Johnson as a newcomer to the team: "Excited to get Kaleb in here. Young player with huge upside ... He comes from a very strong program. He had a lot of success there. There's some similar scheme stuff, a lot of outside-zone." Johnson comes from the Iowa Hawkeyes college program and has a real shot to make a name for himself with Jacobs on the Commissioner's Exempt List. Johnson could be a nice late-round addition to fantasy teams with some "huge upside" as stated by his new GM.
Sep 1, 2026 6:57 AM EST
Kaleb Johnson Surging Up Draft Boards Amid Path to Fantasy Relevance
Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson went from being off the redraft radar in Pittsburgh to having a real path to touches almost overnight. The Packers acquired the 2025 third-round pick on Sunday for a 2028 sixth-rounder, the same day Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List. Johnson is not jumping MarShawn Lloyd, who enters the season as Green Bay's No. 1 back, and Chris Brooks is still part of the mix. The situation is a lot better than the one Johnson left behind, though. He managed only 69 yards on 28 carries as a rookie and was a cut candidate in Pittsburgh after averaging 3.1 yards per carry this preseason. Green Bay still chose to trade for the 6-foot-1, 224-pound back rather than wait for him to hit waivers. Johnson rushed for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in his final season at Iowa, so the pedigree is there even if the NFL production hasn't been. With Jacobs unavailable and Lloyd carrying a lengthy injury history, Johnson is back on the late-round redraft radar.
Aug 31, 2026 9:22 AM EST
Kaleb Johnson Traded to Packers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading running back Kaleb Johnson to the Green Bay Packers, according to Jeremy Fowler. The move comes with some uncertainty surrounding Josh Jacobs, who was formally charged with two misdemeanors Thursday and could still face discipline from the NFL. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said earlier this week that the team had been preparing for the possibility of a Jacobs suspension, although there has been no indication that the Johnson trade was made specifically because of that situation. Johnson moves on after a quiet rookie season in Pittsburgh, where the 2025 third-round pick managed just 69 yards on 28 carries in 10 games. He was much more productive during his final season at Iowa, rushing for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns. Green Bay already has Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd and Pierre Strong Jr. behind Jacobs, so Johnson isn't guaranteed a meaningful role. Adding another back now, though, gives the Packers more insurance while Jacobs' Week 1 availability remains unsettled.
Aug 30, 2026 9:45 AM EST
Kaleb Johnson Projected to be Released by Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson is projected to be released within the upcoming weeks, according to a 53-man roster prediction from Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. "Moving on from a third-round pick just one year after he was drafted would be a tough look for the Steelers," DeFabo wrote. "However, that possibility is looking increasingly likely." Johnson was essentially nonexistent on offense as a rookie last year, and he struggled this preseason to the tune of 57 rushing yards on 17 carries (3.1 YPC). Those are subpar numbers, especially for a once-highly-touted running back going up against reserve defenders. DeFabo notes that in addition to the offensive shortcomings, Johnson is replaceable on special teams. He projected that Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle will handle almost all of the offensive snaps, while Travis Homer makes the team as the No. 3 running back with plenty of experience and talent on special teams. If that is the case, Johnson will be the odd man out just one year after being a Day 3 pick. He's tough to trust in dynasty leagues, and he should be avoided in all redraft formats.
Aug 27, 2026 7:42 PM EST
Kaleb Johnson Sees Expanded Role in Second Preseason Game
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson handled 10 carries for 39 yards and caught both of his targets for 15 yards in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. Johnson, who was surprisingly limited to just two touches in last week's win, was featured heavily on Friday night and received the vast majority of Pittsburgh's opportunities out of the backfield. While he couldn't find much daylight, the second-year pro ran hard and showcased his ability as a pass-catcher. Johnson took over for starters Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle in the second quarter and remained involved into the early stages of the fourth. At this point, it's clear that Johnson is competing for a depth role, and potentially a roster spot, alongside fellow running backs Lew Nichols, Eli Heidenreich, and Travis Homer. His final preseason opportunity will come Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Aug 21, 2026 9:33 PM EST
Kaleb Johnson on the Roster Bubble, Likely to Not Make the Team
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson is in a battle for his roster spot and could end up not making the final roster, according to The Athletic's Mike DeFabo. Johnson was the team's third-round pick just over a year ago, but he didn't make much of a positive impact as a rookie and has struggled in limited work in training camp. He only had two carries for three yards in the team's preseason game and was most notable for being yelled at on the sideline by special teams coach Danny Crossman. Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle will likely get most of the work at running back for the Steelers, with Travis Homer mixing in as a specialist. Lew Nichols seems to have passed Johnson as well, which puts Johnson in danger of being cut if he doesn't step up in the rest of the preseason. Johnson isn't a fantasy factor at this point, but his roster status is worth watching.
Aug 20, 2026 5:29 AM EST
Kaleb Johnson Gets Little Work in Preseason Opener
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson handled just two carries for three yards in Thursday night's preseason win over the Green Bay Packers. Johnson, a third-round pick in last year's NFL Draft, doesn't appear to have won over Pittsburgh's new coaching staff just yet, as he didn't enter the contest until late in the third quarter. Although he was listed as the team's RB3 on the updated depth chart released earlier this week, Johnson played behind veterans Travis Homer and Lew Nichols and was out-touched by rookie running back Eli Heidenreich in the second half. Johnson could see an uptick in opportunities as the preseason continues, but it's becoming increasingly unlikely that he will have a meaningful role in the offense this season behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. While he remains worth stashing in deeper dynasty formats, Johnson is off the fantasy radar for redraft purposes.
Aug 13, 2026 7:51 PM EST
Kaleb Johnson Still Seeing Special Teams Usage
PennLive.com's Nick Farabaugh reported that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson is still getting kick return work in practice. Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said he has been pleased with Johnson's special teams play, including as a returner. Johnson will likely need to stand out on special teams to earn carries on offense. The Steelers drafted the 23-year-old in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft as a potential replacement for Najee Harris, and he quickly became a trendy sleeper in fantasy football leagues. However, Johnson was phased out of the offense and finished with 69 rushing yards on 28 carries in 10 games. There was optimism he could become a main back in his second season, but that faded after the team signed Rico Dowdle early in the offseason. Johnson will remain a dynasty stash for the foreseeable future but can be dropped if managers need extra roster space.
Aug 8, 2026 7:40 PM EST
Kaleb Johnson Seeing Opportunities with First-Team Offense
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson earned a third-down rep with the first-team offense on Friday, as pointed out by Steelers beat writer Nick Farabaugh. Friday's session was a low-intensity walk-through, so Johnson's work with the starting offense carries less signal than it might in a full-padded practice, but his dynasty managers will surely welcome any signs of momentum gained. Johnson was a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft but disappointed as a rookie with only 69 rushing yards on 28 carries. He now looks for a clean slate with a brand new coaching staff, and while he remains firmly behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle on the depth chart, his presence in a situational third-down role should be viewed with encouragement in a Steelers offense likely to continue featuring its backs in the passing game. Johnson is outside RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026 and has fallen to RB57 in the latest dynasty rankings.
Jul 31, 2026 7:11 AM EST
Should Dynasty Managers Target Kaleb Johnson?
After being selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson's rookie season was a major disappointment. Johnson spent the entire year as the Steelers' RB3, recording 78 scrimmage yards on 29 touches across 10 games. Entering 2026, Johnson once again projects to open the year third on Pittsburgh's running back depth chart, behind veteran backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. However, the Steelers have a new coaching staff in place with Mike McCarthy replacing Mike Tomlin, which could provide Johnson with the clean slate he needs to get his NFL career back on track. The 23-year-old demonstrated a three-down skill set during his college career at the University of Iowa, recording 1,725 yards from scrimmage and 23 touchdowns across 12 games for the Hawkeyes in 2024. With his value at a low point, rebuilding dynasty managers may want to look to buy low on Johnson.
Jul 15, 2026 10:58 AM EST
Is Kaleb Johnson a Top Buy-Low Target for Dynasty Rebuilders?
A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson was unable to carve out a meaningful role in his team's offense as a rookie. Johnson spent the season stuck behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell on the Steelers' running back depth chart and finished the year with just 28 carries across 10 games played. While Gainwell departed Pittsburgh in free agency, the team replaced him with former Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle. As a result, Johnson once again appears likely to be limited to RB3 duties for the Steelers in 2026. However, he'll get a chance to work with a new coaching staff in his second NFL season, which could be the clean slate that Johnson needs to revitalize his pro career. The 22-year-old recorded over 1,500 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns across 12 games in his final collegiate season at Iowa, so he has some untapped rushing potential. For dynasty managers in the midst of a rebuild, Johnson could be worth targeting as a buy-low trade candidate.
Jun 17, 2026 8:58 AM EST
Can Kaleb Johnson Regain Dynasty Value?
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson was a third-round pick in a 2025 NFL Draft billed for its running back talent, and while several players from his class were able to deliver promising rookie campaigns, Johnson's was one to forget. The most memorable moment of his first season was arguably a kickoff return blunder early in the year that gifted the Seahawks a touchdown and landed Johnson in Mike Tomlin's doghouse. With an entirely new coaching staff in Pittsburgh for 2026, Johnson will look to put a disappointing rookie season, in which he touched the ball fewer than 30 times on offense and averaged only 2.5 yards per carry, squarely behind him. However, the Steelers also replaced leading pass-catching back Kenneth Gainwell with the more well-rounded Rico Dowdle, forming a formidable pair of do-everything backs with fifth-year veteran Jaylen Warren and further obscuring Johnson's path to playing time. Still yet to turn 23 years old, Johnson remains a hold at least throughout training camp, but barring an injury ahead of him or an unexpected new home, RotoBaller's dynasty RB57 will need to be seriously looked at as a cut candidate only one year after coming off the board in the first round of many rookie drafts.
Jun 9, 2026 5:49 AM EST
Does Kaleb Johnson Still Carry Dynasty Buy-Low Appeal?
A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson failed to carve out a role in his team's offense as a rookie. Across 10 games played, the 22-year-old recorded just 28 carries for 69 yards. He spent the year buried on the Steelers' running back depth chart behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. While Gainwell departed Pittsburgh in free agency, the team brought in former Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle to replace him. As a result, Johnson appears to remain stuck in the RB3 role in Pittsburgh heading into 2026. While Johnson showed dynasty managers little reason for optimism in 2025, there would be little point in selling him now when his value is at its lowest. Johnson has the advantage of working with an entirely new Steelers coaching staff in 2026, which could provide him with the fresh start he needs. If Johnson can be had for pennies on the dollar, deep-league dynasty managers may want to consider buying very low on him.
Apr 22, 2026 7:50 AM EST
Kaleb Johnson Given a Clean Slate with New Coaching Staff
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson will be given opportunities to establish himself as a key part of the team's offense in 2026, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. "I am aware of their past experiences, but this is like a Catholic operation, and you say three Hail Marys and everybody has a clean slate and let's get to work," McCarthy said regarding Johnson (via Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com). The veteran head coach also explained that he's going to "challenge [Johnson] to be a three-down player and a special teamer" going forward. The former third-round pick mostly played on special teams as a rookie last year, amassing just 29 touches and 78 scrimmage yards on offense. The Steelers already have Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle in their backfield, but it sounds like Johnson will have an opportunity to prove that he deserves more touches in Year 2. Dynasty managers in deeper leagues should hold Johnson for now. In shallower leagues, it's perfectly appropriate to drop him, despite McCarthy's optimistic comments.
Apr 1, 2026 10:16 AM EST
Latest Fantasy News
