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0:272026 NFL Draft Grades: Chiefs Select Emmett Johnson No. 161
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9:45Ryan Wilson's Best & Worst 2026 NFL Draft Classes
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18:51Biggest Draft Stock Risers And Fallers From NFL Combine
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1:33Which Offensive Players Saw A Fall In Stock At The NFL Combine
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0:42IS HE IN? Emmett Johnson dives for the goal line at end of 70-yard run for Nebraska
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3:40Elite 11 Finals Recap: Trae Taylor, Israel Abrams Named Co-Alpha Dogs
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2:40Recapping Night Two of the Elite 11 Finals
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3:11Recapping Night One of the Elite 11 Finals
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1:00Trae Taylor is LOCKED IN with Nebraska | Elite 11 Finals
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1:26Will Nebraska's Luck Turn Against Iowa?
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0:39Elite 11 Finals Draft: Nebraska Commit Trae Taylor - Pick #1
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1:10Nebraska's Matt Rhule discusses the team's run game coming out of the spring
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0:50Nebraska freshman running back Jamal Rule preparing to play in 2026
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0:53Colandrea, Husker QBs show mobility in Red-White Game
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0:25Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson confident as he embarks on pro career
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0:26How Nebraska is working pass rush this spring
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0:53Dana Holgorsen discusses Nebraska's new-look offensive line
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1:50Holgorsen talks benefits of mobility at quarterback spot
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1:28How Husker wide receivers are adjusting to Anthony Colandrea
Draft Scouting Report
Pro Comparison: Kyren Williams
Summary
Emmett Johnson is an explosive, high-volume running back who plays with relentless energy. A versatile playmaker for Nebraska, he made history by dominating as both a runner and receiver in the same game. He excels at breaking tackles and quickly accelerating into the open field. With a physical running style and a willingness to protect his quarterback, he has developed into a reliable every-down back ready for the next level.
About
- 2025: Led Big Ten in carries and rushing yards
- 2024-25: 85 receptions, 656 receiving yards, 5 receiving TD
Strengths
- Elite contact balance and ability to bounce off arm tackles.
- Explosive short-area quickness with dangerous one-cut-and-go acceleration.
- Highly versatile in the passing game and on screens.
Weaknesses
- Occasionally runs into contact by missing clearly designed rushing lanes.
- Tendency to round off cuts in the backfield when searching for gaps.
- Average vision that can lead to inconsistent decision-making behind blockers.
Combine Data
- 40-yard dash: 4.56 seconds
- Bench press: 16 reps
- Vertical jump: 35.5 inches
- 20-yard shuttle run: 4.29 seconds
- Broad jump: 10 feet, 0 inches
- 3-cone drill: 7.32 seconds
Top Emmett Johnson News
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Chiefs' Emmett Johnson: Draws LeSean McCoy comp from Reid
Johnson is competing with Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado for slotting on Kansas City's running back depth chart behind Kenneth Walker, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.
The Chiefs almost completely remade their backfield compared to last season, letting Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco walk while retaining the 2025 seventh-round pick Smith, and signing Walker and Demercado before drafting Johnson in the fifth round. Kansas City also signed undrafted free agents Jaydn Ott and EJ Smith. Demercado and Brashard Smith both seem best suited for change-of-pace roles on passing downs, so Johnson could have a clear lane to getting the second-most carries behind Walker. Head coach Andy Reid compared Johnson's skill set to that of former NFL running back LeSean McCoy, who exceeded 1,000 regular-season rushing yards on six occasions.
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Chiefs' Emmett Johnson: Lands with Chiefs
The Chiefs selected Johnson in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 161st overall.
Johnson (5-foot-10, 202 pounds) broke out in 2025, his fourth season with Nebraska, starting all 12 games and totaling 251 carries for 1,451 yards (No. 1 in the Big Ten) and 12 touchdowns while adding 46 catches for 370 receiving yards and another three scores. While Johnson's production, lateral agility and pass-catching chops stand out, his testing numbers were merely average, though he improved on his 4.56-second NFL Combine 40-yard dash with a 4.49-second total at Nebraska's pro day. Despite falling to the fifth round, Johnson's landing spot in head coach Andy Reid's offense is intriguing, with Emari Demercado and Brashard Smith representing his most notable competition for reserve work behind new No. 1 running back Kenneth Walker. Johnson's upside case may be limited to that of a change-of-pace role behind Walker, but he'll be a solid candidate to produce with such a gig if he can secure consistent opportunities.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 5-10, 202 lbs |
| Birthplace: Minneapolis, MN |
| Age: 22 |