Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson could be an intriguing fit for the Minnesota Vikings in the 2025 NFL Draft

Welcome to SKOL Search 2025! This is the fifth year I have done SKOL Search with the sole mission being to find NFL Draft prospects for the Minnesota Vikings. Throughout the entire process, this will be the most comprehensive draft guide with a focus on the Vikings. Each year, I scout incoming draft prospects from […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Nov 2, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium.
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Welcome to SKOL Search 2025!

This is the fifth year I have done SKOL Search with the sole mission being to find NFL Draft prospects for the Minnesota Vikings. Throughout the entire process, this will be the most comprehensive draft guide with a focus on the Vikings.

Each year, I scout incoming draft prospects from a neutral perspective and try to see how they could fit with Minnesota. This will be general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's fourth NFL Draft and we have a good sense of what he likes in a prospect.

Going into the offseason, the Vikings have just three official selections with a fourth likely coming with a compensatory selection in the third round. However they choose to use them, they need to make the most out of their limited resources.

Kaleb Johnson

  • Iowa
  • Height: 6000
  • Weight: 225
  • Class: Third-year Junior
  • Recruiting info: 3-star recruit in 2022 class per 247 Sports
  • Stats: 508 attempts, 2,779 yards, 5.5 YPC, 30 touchdowns, 29 receptions, 240 yards, 8.3 YPR, 2 touchdowns
  • Games watched: Minnesota 2024, Iowa State 2024, Ohio State 2024

Strengths

  • Vision: Johnson is a classic wide zone back. He does a great job at reading blocks and cutting back when the hole opens up. He exploits defenses well in maneuvering to the second level.
  • Patience: In being a zone scheme back, patience is important. You need to be able to see what's in front of you and not panic. Johnson sees his blocks well and maximizes it.
  • Receiving Ability: Johnson wasn't used much as a pass catcher before 2024 with only seven receptions. However, he was used more in 2024 with 22 receptions, including two touchdowns. In the NFL, that will have to continue growing, but the growth we've seen is a good sign.

Weaknesses

  • Eluding Defenders: While patience is good for Johnson in knowing where to attack, he doesn't make defenders miss often in space. Slow him down and you can tackle him.
  • Breakaway Speed: Johnson is a classic wide zone running back. He can do a little bit of everything, but Johnson won't take anyone deep. He doesn't have that next gear to take doubles to home runs.

Overview

TraitGrade

Vision

8.3/10

Cutback

8.4/10

Long Speed

3.6/5

Contact Balance

7.8/10

Pass Blocking

7.9/10

Break/Avoid Tackles

11.5/15

Durability

8.0/10

Receiving

7.8/10

Quickness

8.3/10

Ball Security

8.2/10

Grade

79.8 Third Round Grade

Johnson is a classic outside/wide zone running back who can do a little bit of everything but isn't a true burner. He looks like a classic Shanahan tree zone scheme back where he thrives in the system but doesn't do much outside of it.

Right now, Johnson is getting first-round love and I don't see it. If you go in the first round as a running back, there needs to be something special about you. That usually translates with athleticism. Johnson doesn't have that next level athleticism, but he is still worthy of being selected and a part of a rotation.

Is he a good choice for the Vikings? You could argue that he is, but not in the first round where the Vikings would have to take him. There are better options for the Vikings, especially ones that will end up being more of a difference maker.

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