The Pittsburgh Steelers believe they may have found their next offensive weapon in third-round running back Kaleb Johnson. At 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, the Iowa product brings a physical presence to the backfield — and has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s top ball-carriers. With offensive coordinator Arthur Smith praising Johnson’s instincts and fit, and the rookie himself calling out names like Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook, expectations are already starting to swell in Pittsburgh.
But not everyone in the NFL evaluation world is sold. One of the league’s most respected analysts, Greg Cosell of NFL Films, isn’t buying into the hype just yet. On a recent appearance on the “Ross Tucker Podcast,” Cosell offered a measured, critical breakdown of Johnson’s college tape — and his comments serve as a sharp counterpoint to the growing optimism in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers Call Rookie RB Kaleb Johnson a Steal — NFL Analyst Greg Cosell Isn’t So Sure
Cosell, a senior producer at NFL Films and one of the most respected analysts in the business, offered a blunt evaluation when assessing Johnson’s game.
“I thought he was a little paint-by-numbers zone runner. And by that I mean, if it’s blocked well — it was almost all zone at Iowa — he sees it, he hits it,” Cosell said. “He’s a big guy, he’s not purely explosive. I don’t think he ran to his size.”
Cosell showed respect to Pittsburgh’s scouting staff, emphasizing that his view wasn’t an indictment of their decision-making. But his analysis made it clear that Johnson didn’t jump off the screen like it did for other evaluators.
“All I can say is that I didn’t like him as much as some teams did, clearly [not] as much as the Steelers did,” he added. “I would never use the term ‘reach,’ because I’m not gonna sit here and say I knew more than all the Steelers scouts and personnel people. I would never talk like that. I have too much respect for people in the business … I could certainly be wrong.”
“I thought he was a little bit of a paint by numbers zone runner.”
“I didn't like him as much as some teams did.”@GregCosell gives his thoughts on Steelers rookie RB Kaleb Johnson: pic.twitter.com/k3cbMvCdIW
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod)
Cosell’s critique stands in stark contrast to the early confidence shown by Pittsburgh’s coaching staff. Smith described Johnson as “really explosive” and “one of the most instinctive backs” he’d seen in recent years. The team believes Johnson’s skill set and mentality make him a seamless culture fit for the locker room.
“We think he’s a great culture fit. Fired up to get Kaleb in here,” Smith told Steelers media in his post-NFL Draft press conference.
As for Johnson himself, he’s not shying away from big comparisons. In a recent interview with Missi Matthews of Steelers.com, he name-dropped two Pro Bowlers (one a future Hall of Famer) — Henry and Cook — when asked about his playing style.
“I feel like I’m a versatile back. I could be a Derrick Henry back, or I could be a Dalvin Cook back,” Johnson said. “That’s what separates me … I could be a fast back, and I could be a strong back — also catch the ball in the backfield and be reliable.”
The Henry comparison even has some real-world context. Johnson says the Ravens’ new lead back mentored him during the pre-draft process — though the relationship may have cooled after the rookie landed in Baltimore’s rival city.
“I haven’t talked to him since,” Johnson said with a laugh.
Ultimately, Johnson will get his chance to prove the Steelers right — and Cosell wrong — when the pads go on. But for now, the rookie hype train has a respected voice urging fans to pump the brakes.
Clown never played a down of football in his
Im just not sure where the cap on players salary has to stop. $73,000,000 for one player is probably why an an average family of four has to pull a small personal loan or refi the family home to have a 3 day 2 night trip to game and runabout through the host city.