Former NFL All-Pro sold Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy on Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson before the 2026 NFL Draft
Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy sought some advice on the 2026 NFL Draft class at running back from his former pupil, Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders RB Maurice Jones-Drew.
Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy had a little help from a former pupil when it came to evaluating the 2026 NFL Draft class. It might be a coincidence, but the advice sought out may also have directly led to the selection of Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson.
Speaking to James Palmer and Steve Smith Sr. on the “89” podcast, former Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders RB Maurice Jones-Drew broke down prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. The former All-Pro running back turned NFL Network analyst spoke about Johnson, revealing that he may have quietly played a role in Kansas City moving up to select him in Round 5. Jones-Drew was coached by Bieniemy over two decades ago, when he was just beginning his football journey.
Eric Bieniemy has a long history with Maurice Jones-Drew
Bieniemy was the primary coach responsible for recruiting Jones-Drew to UCLA in 2003. He served as the Bruins’ running backs coach throughout Jones-Drew’s college career. Jones-Drew has frequently cited Bieniemy as a major influence on his development and preparing him for the NFL.
- In 2003, Bieniemy coached Jones-Drew to Freshman All-Purpose All-American Honors.
- In 2004, Jones-Drew had 1,269 scrimmage yards and 11 scrimmage touchdowns.
- In 2005, Jones-Drew had 1,367 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns.
Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy sought out Maurice Jones-Drew’s opinion on the 2026 running back class
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, Bieniemy called Jones-Drew to get his opinion on the running backs in this class. When Bieniemy asked him about the prospects he liked, Jones-Drew opined about Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson.
“(Eric) Bieniemy calls me. My guy,” Jones-Drew said. “And he’s like, ‘Hey, bro, I see these running back lists, what’s going on?’ And he’s like, ‘Who do you like?’ I was like, ‘Bro, I love Nebraska. I love Nebraska.’ I said, ‘Emmett Johnson from Nebraska.’ And see, here goes a little history for you. When I was coming out of college, it was a bunch of us, right? I had such a good year that they created a position for All-American that year, so I could be All-American because I was returning kicks and punts. Three different ways, right? I had returned punts and kicks forr touchdowns, I had receiving touchdowns, and I had rushing touchdowns. But that’s like, no one really did that. Like Reggie Bush did it a little bit, but it was really like not many others did it. So, when I go back, and I look, Emmett Johnson won that same award.”
It wasn’t just the All-Purpose All-American honors that caught Jones-Drew’s attention about Johnson, though. It was also about the way he plays the game. Also, it doesn’t hurt that Johnson had 31 touches for 232 yards and three touchdowns against Jones-Drew’s alma mater.
“When I watched Nebraska versus UCLA, who beat Penn State… he torched us in both the running game and the passing, I think he had 100 and 100 against us,” Jones-Drew said. “To me, the last person I saw that have to have 100 and 100 in college was Joe Mixon. You’re talking about a kid who has the ability to play running back (and) be a valuable option out of the backfield. He has great contact balance. He doesn’t necessarily have long speed. When people are like, ‘Well, he doesn’t have long speed?’ I go, ‘Yeah, but it seems like when people try to tackle him, unlike Washington from Arkansas, they fall off of him.’ He just bounces off guys, right? So he has a natural contact balance.”
The Chiefs weren’t the only team Maurice Jones-Drew spoke to about Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson
The Chiefs, of course, traded up to pick 161 for Johnson, who inexplicably dropped to that point. One reason they may have felt the need to move up? Jones-Drew wasn’t exactly quiet about his feelings on Johnson. In addition to Eric Bieniemy, he says he spoke with members of the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams about Johnson.
“So I have, I talked to a bunch of coaches, and I talked to (Eric) Bieniemy,” Jones-Drew continued. “And I’m like, ‘Dude, I don’t know what y’all got going on, but look, this kid here is legit.’ I told the Niners about him, I told a bunch of teams about him. ‘Yo, this is the guy that I think is, is really good.’ I told the Rams about him. I like this guy a lot. Bieniemy texts me in the fifth round, ‘Hey, got your guy.’ I’m over here with Mike Rob, we’re working, and I look up. Emmett Johnson across the screen.”
Now, we won’t know for certain whether Jones-Drew’s opinion played any part in the Chiefs’ decision to draft Johnson. James Palmer said in the same podcast episode that the Chiefs have been on him since December. We also know that he had a solid performance in GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium against the Cincinnati Bearcats. What’s clear is that Bieniemy isn’t afraid to use his relationships and lean on those around him for guidance. It’s a good leadership quality to have when you’re talking about the NFL and football being the ultimate team game.