Grading the trade: Kansas City Chiefs confirm suspicions about offseason plans with move up for Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson
The Kansas City Chiefs are building a dominant running game to pair with a dominant defense for the 2026 NFL season.
The Kansas City Chiefs moved up in Round 5 of the 2026 NFL Draft to select their first offensive player.
With the No. 161 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Chiefs select Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska.
This marks the team’s second trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft, with the first being a move up from No. 9 to No. 6 to select CB Mansoor Delane. This trade cost the Chiefs pick Nos. 169 and 210. In return, Kansas City received picks Nos. 161 and 249 from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Everything to know about new Chiefs RB Emmett Johnson
Age: 22
A to Z Sports Draft Projection: Round 4, Pick 114
Career Projection: Average Backup Or Rotational Player
Johnson lacks some top-end speed, but his patience helps him find space that other backs cannot. Horizontal quickness is clear on tape and makes him a fun player on the receiving side, too. The Cornhuskers RB does not go down easily on first contact and works hard in pass protection, even though the technique needs more work. Soft hands will help him get on the field early as a pro.
Adam holt
A to Z Sports
The Chiefs’ vision for the offseason couldn’t be clearer with the Emmett Johnson pick
The vision for the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason couldn’t be clearer after this pick. The two goals are to build a dominant defense and a dominant rushing attack to take some weight off Patrick Mahomes and the offense.
Johnson is listed at 5-foot-10 and 202 pounds. He had a draft-leading 251 carries in 2025, recording 1,451 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 46 passes for 370 yards and three touchdowns. The production is eye-popping. He was one of just four FBS running backs to average at least 120 rushing yards per game in 2025. He ran a 4.5s 40-yard dash at the combine, but even if he’s not the most elite athlete, he’s shown he can get it done in the Big Ten.
He’s got explosive lateral agility with the ability to make the first man miss. He protects the football with only one dropped pass and one fumble in 2025. A backfield featuring Kenneth Walker, Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson, and Brashard Smith is versatile, dynamic, and makes this team a whole lot better.
Grade: A