The Pittsburgh Steelers made waves this offseason by selecting former Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson in the third round as their answer to the end of the Najee Harris era.
Fantasy football managers are taking notice and looking to acquire the rookie running back for the 2025 season. Is it justified? Let’s take a look.
Why Is Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson’s 2025 Rookie Season A Perfect Storm for Fantasy Success?
With a staggering 62.8% acquisition rate among PFSN users throughout July, according to PFSN Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, rookie Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson has emerged as one of the most coveted unproven picks heading into the 2025 season.
Johnson’s meteoric rise in fantasy circles isn’t happening in a vacuum. The former Iowa standout put together a dominant final collegiate campaign that showcased exactly why Pittsburgh viewed him as the future of their backfield.
His 23 touchdowns and impressive 6.6 yards per touch efficiency paint the picture of a back ready to handle NFL responsibilities from day one, a role that the Steelers appear comfortable with him assuming.
The transition from college to professional football often presents challenges for rookie running backs, but Johnson enters a uniquely favorable situation. The Steelers ranked 24th in first-down rush rate last season, demonstrating their commitment to establishing the ground game early in drives.
This rushing-friendly approach creates an ideal landing spot for a player whose college production suggests he can capitalize on his opportunities.
What makes Johnson particularly intriguing for fantasy purposes is how his skill set aligns with Pittsburgh’s offensive identity. The Steelers have historically relied on workhorse backs who can handle significant touches while contributing in multiple phases of the offense.
Johnson’s versatility at Iowa, where he consistently found the end zone while maintaining efficiency on a per-touch basis, suggests he possesses the complete skill set Pittsburgh values in their backfield.
How Does Aaron Rodgers Affect the Situation?
The fantasy appeal extends beyond Johnson’s individual talent to the broader offensive context surrounding his new team.
Despite his injury-shortened 2024 campaign with the Jets, Aaron Rodgers demonstrated elite first-down passing efficiency, ranking eighth in passer rating on opening downs. However, his overall performance dropped to 25th when those first-down situations were removed.
AARON RODGERS TO DAVANTE ADAMS FOR THE 71-YARD TD TO TAKE THE LEAD 😱
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/Fn1FvWGG95— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 15, 2024
This split reveals a crucial dynamic that could significantly benefit Johnson. Rodgers excelled when operating with clean pockets and favorable down-and-distance situations but struggled when forced into obvious passing scenarios.
Supporting that strength becomes paramount for any offensive coordinator, and establishing a consistent rushing attack represents the most direct path to keeping Rodgers in advantageous positions.
The fact that the Steelers ranked so low in first-down rush rate indicates a commitment to setting up manageable second and third-down situations. Johnson steps into this system as the primary beneficiary of those early-down carries, likely inheriting substantial volume vacated by Harris this offseason.
Fantasy Implications and Outlook
Johnson’s 62.8% acquisition rate among PFSN users reflects sophisticated fantasy thinking rather than simple rookie hype. Savvy managers recognize that opportunity often trumps pure talent in fantasy football, and Johnson’s situation checks multiple boxes for sustained success in Year 1.
Highlighting Hawks: Kaleb “K2” Johnson
Tonight at 6:30 pm CT#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/Y285gWc4jR
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) April 23, 2025
The departure of Harris creates an immediate pathway to touches, while Pittsburgh’s commitment to running the ball ensures those opportunities will be meaningful.
Veteran running back Jaylen Warren will likely start the season as the Steelers’ RB1, considering his experience as Harris’ backup. He’s already been receiving first-team reps in training camp ahead of Johnson and other running backs on the depth chart, but not all “lead” roles are created equal.
Johnson won’t need to revolutionize the offense to find fantasy relevance. Instead, he can succeed by executing within a system already designed to feature a primary back.
His college production provides additional confidence in maximizing red zone chances. Those 23 touchdowns at Iowa weren’t solely the product of volume but reflected consistent goal-line efficiency that should translate to fantasy points at the NFL level.
Touchdown production remains one of the most valuable commodities for fantasy running backs. Johnson’s proven ability to find the end zone makes him particularly appealing, even if you’re worried about his exact touch count coming out of the gates.
The combination of immediate opportunity, favorable offensive system, and demonstrated red zone prowess creates a compelling case for Johnson as a potential league-winner for managers willing to invest in his upside.
While rookie running backs always carry inherent risk, Johnson’s situation minimizes many traditional concerns while maximizing his ceiling for production.
Smart fantasy managers understand that identifying breakout candidates before they explode requires recognizing favorable circumstances rather than waiting for obvious production.
Johnson’s acquisition rate suggests the fantasy community has already identified him as one of those rare opportunities where talent meets situation in perfect harmony.
