Getting their running back to replace Najee Harris — and passing on a quarterback for the second day in a row — the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the NFL Draft on Friday night.
Johnson, a bruising 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior, was the Big Ten Running Back of the Year and a second-team All-American when he had 1,537 rushing yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, and scored 21 touchdowns.
“They are getting a physical running back, one who loves to score touchdowns,” Johnson said when asked what he will bring to the Steelers. “Just a guy who is ready to work, is determined and ready to give his all.”
The Steelers had a chance to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a projected first-round selection whose slide was the talk of the draft. Instead, they not only bypassed Sanders, they opted to pass on Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who went to the Seattle Seahawks later in the round.
Taken with the No. 83 overall pick, Johnson is the highest running back drafted by the Steelers since they selected Harris in the first round of the 2021 draft. Harris signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.
“He’s one of the more instinctive backs I’ve watched in a couple years coming out of the draft,” offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said. “He’s a perfect fit regardless of whatever scheme you’re running.”
Johnson contributed as a freshman at Iowa and led the team in rushing that year. He missed three games because of injury in 2023 before his breakthrough season last year.
“I just feel like always finishing my work, always wanting to get the first down and do extra for my team and help my team win,” Johnson said. “I always want to go the extra mile.”
Johnson will join a Steelers backfield that includes former undrafted free agent Jaylen Warren and free agent pickup Kenny Gainwell. He also will be tasked with picking up the slack following four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons by Harris.
“We need to get more explosive, and he’s an explosive runner,” Smith said. “And he certainly will help.”
Appearing on Steelers Nation Radio before the second day of the draft started, team president Art Rooney II thought the team might select a running back or quarterback with its third-round selection. The Steelers did not have a second-round pick after sending it to Seattle in the DK Metcalf trade.
Before the second round was over, the list of available quarterbacks dwindled by one when Louisville’s Tyler Shough went to the New Orleans Saints at No. 40.
Running backs taken in the second round included the Ohio State duo of Quinshon Judkins (to Cleveland) and TreVeyon Henderson (New England) and UCF’s R.J. Harvey (Denver).
Johnson was one of nine running backs the Steelers invited for a top-30 visit. He came to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on April 3.
“You’re trying to get to know the person,” Smith said. “You can evaluate the skills on tape. You want to know the person — what is the vision, what is the plan if we take this player, how does he learn? That’s what a lot of that is. He’s a really impressive person and a great football player.”
The Steelers are expected to find a developmental quarterback on the third day of the draft. They have single picks in the fourth through seventh rounds.