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Kaleb Johnson Dynasty Value

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Johnson checks boxes for size, athleticism, and production. At 6’0, 220, he ranked seventh nationally with 1,537 rushing yards in 2024.

So, is he the RB2 in this class behind Ashton Jeanty? 

Let’s get to know Johnson, his path to the NFL, and what might lie ahead …

Kaleb Johnson Dynasty Values

To see Kaleb Johnson's dynasty value for your exact league setup, check out our Dynasty Draft War Room.

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Kaleb Johnson Draft Profile

Kaleb Johnson Combine Results

Kaleb Johnson College Stats

Johnson earned scholarship offers from more than a dozen schools, including Kentucky, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, and California. 

The Ohio native chose Iowa and made an immediate impact for HC Kirk Ferentz.

Johnson Flashes Pro Potential

As a true freshman, Johnson tallied 779 yards on 151 attempts (5.2 YPC). The yardage marked an Iowa freshman record.

And get this: Johnson posted 200 rushing yards (on 22 attempts) in a mid-season win at Purdue.

He played ahead of sophomore RB Leshon Williams, who managed only 3.6 yards per carry on 116 attempts. Williams led the way in targets, 16-4.

Year 2 Turbulence

Consider 2023 a lost season.

An ankle injury cost Johnson four games and limited him for much of the season. 

“When he came back he still didn’t feel quite himself,” RBs coach Ladell Betts -- a nine-year NFL vet -- told The Gazette. “He didn’t really trust the ankle a whole lot. He had to work on some of his bad habits in terms of pass protection and just running nature. He had to work through all those kinks.”

Indeed, Johnson managed only 4.0 YPC on 117 attempts.

But come 2024, we’d see his full pro potential on display.

Superstar Status Unlocked

Year 3 turned up career highs across the board:

• 240 carries
• 1,537 rushing yards
• 23 total TDs

Among 82 RBs with 150+ carries, Johnson ranked tied for seventh in yards per carry and third in yards after contact per attempt. 

He sat 12th in PFF’s elusive rating; third in rushes of 15+ yards.

Johnson also progressed as a receiver, with 22 catches at 8.6 yards per. On average, he forced a missed tackle every 1.8 catches.

Coach Observes Junior-Year Growth

How’d he do it? Here’s more insight from his RB coach.

“He’s done a better job of creating positive practice habits, whether it’s just working on the details, whatever it is, in terms of pass protection, in terms of routes, in terms of running the ball,” Betts said via The Gazette. 

“But the biggest difference that I think I saw from the initial part of training camp was just how much he was finishing in practice, sprinting 30, 40 yards after contact. So I could tell he was on a bit of a mission.”

Context Boosts Johnson’s Case

You know how a strong passing game brings the potential to open rushing lanes?

Well, no such thing surfaced at Iowa. Check out these passing yards per game totals:

• 2022: 156.7 yards
• 2023: 118.6 yards
• 2024: 131.6 yards

No future NFL QB. No difference-making pass catcher. 

Plus, in October, CBS noted that only six other teams “have faced more boxes with eight-plus defenders.” 

Johnson was truly a one-man show.

Kaleb Johnson Highlights

Games watched: Wisconsin (2023), Iowa State (2023), Iowa State (2024), Minnesota (2024), Ohio State (2024)

Strength. Power. Balance. Leg drive.

They're the foundation of Johnson's game. At 6'0, 225 pounds, he certainly has the NFL frame to continue utilizing those strengths.

Johnson ripped off 187 yards and 2 TDs vs. Iowa State. That marked one of eight 2024 games with 100+ rushing yards.

Johnson might be 220+, but he looks light on his feet. The tape also shows the long speed to bust off chunk gains.

Below, you'll find another look at Johnson's ability to play through contact -- and then turn on the jets for extra yards.

Per Reel Analytics, he hit 21.2 miles per hour in a September game. That would have ranked just outside the top 20 fastest times recorded by an NFL player this past season.

Johnson wasn’t featured much as a pass catcher. Think more simple usage on swings and dump-offs. Per PFF, Johnson has run only 22 career routes from out wide or the slot.

But he looks capable out of the backfield in the limited sample. His drop rate for his career: an acceptable 6.5%. 

I just wouldn't forecast a high-volume role in the passing game, and you need to factor that into his dynasty value.

Kaleb Johnson Team Fit: Dallas Cowboys

Rico Dowdle emerged as a servicable lead back in the second half of 2024. But the soon-to-be 27-year-old is now set to hit free agency.

Even if he returns, Johnson would supply an upgrade for new HC Brian Schottenheimer. 

In 14 years as an OC, Schottenheimer’s units have ranked top-8 in rush attempts five times. They’ve been top-20 in all but three seasons.

Dynasty Value Conclusion

Johnson has the hallmarks of a multi-year fantasy RB1.

At 6’0, 225 pounds, he blends lead-back size with plenty of speed. Checking boxes for contact balance, vision, and patience, Johnson shows he’s more than just an athlete. And we saw it right away, as he led Iowa in rushing as a true freshman.

Sure, the 21-year-old probably won’t develop into a high-volume pass catcher. But with Round 2 draft capital likely, he’s set to play a key role on his NFL team.

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Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15 years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). His work has been featured on The Mercury News, Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.