Pittsburgh Steelers' rookie with the chance to make the biggest impact in year one is likely to start his season on the bench
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Derrick Harmon in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to be the future of their defensive line. But for a team that is all in on on 2025, they need instant impact players. You would assume those players, even if they are rookies, are slated to be starters heading into camp […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Derrick Harmon in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to be the future of their defensive line.
But for a team that is all in on on 2025, they need instant impact players.
You would assume those players, even if they are rookies, are slated to be starters heading into camp right? Not with Kaleb Johnson…
Why Kaleb Johnson can have the biggest impact of all rookies in 2025
To make an impact in the game of football, you typically need to be on the field alot. You know, be a starter. So, how is it that I believe Kaleb Johnson can be the most impactful rookie on the team if he is likely to start behind Jaylen Warren, let me explain….
For one, Warren is the starter, for now. Mike Tomlin hasn't had a sub-5-11 starting RB heading into a season since before Rashard Mendenhall. Warren is on a one-year tender and is best served as a change of pace back. It's a matter of when, not if Johnson is named starter.
And when he is, I expect he and the Steelers offense to excel.
Why? Well, it sounds hyperbolic, but the Steelers probably got the best RB fit in the draft in the third round. Not the best back, the best fit. A smooth and patient runner who is built for wide zone run schemes, he can be the queen on Arthur Smith's chess board.
An instinctive runner with buttery hips, light feet, pass protection and catching abilities, sure you wish he was a little faster or more explosive, bur Arthur Smith believes he can get Johnson a runway and that's all he needs.
"A really explosive running back that we spent some time with on a 30 visit here," said Arthur Smith after the team drafted Johnson. "One of the more instinctive backs I've watched in a couple years coming out of the draft. Perfect fit. Regardless of whatever run scheme you're running, he ran multiple at Iowa. Really impressive as a volume runner. As the game went on, I think one of the more impressive stats you've seen, what he averaged in the fourth quarter, I believe it was over five yards per carry. It might have been closer to six. We think he's a great culture fit."
Agent of former Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris confirms he suffered eye injury in 4th of July fireworks explosion
NFL players and 4th of July don’t have the cleanest of history. Former New York Giants pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul famously lost part of his hand in a fireworks incident years ago. And while thankfully, Najee Harris’ injury wasn’t nearly as bad, his agent confirmed there was an incident on July 4th… Najee Harris suffers […]
