The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Apr. 25 that they have selected former Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson with the No. 161 overall pick in the 2026 National Football League Draft.
Johnson led the Big Ten Conference in rushing last season, accumulating 1,451 yards and scoring a total of 15 touchdowns. He was one of only four Football Bowl Subdivision running backs to average at least 120 rushing yards per game during the 2025 season.
Pro Football Focus said, “His game is built on outstanding vision and elusiveness, highlighted by some of the quickest feet in this class. That allows him to navigate traffic effectively in man- and gap-scheme concepts, where he has posted an elite rushing grade over the past two seasons.” In addition to his rushing abilities, Johnson caught 46 passes for 370 yards and three touchdowns last year—ranking second among all FBS running backs for receptions at his position.
Dane Brugler from The Athletic said, “He’s a savvy pass-catcher with crisp route breaks that allow him to win against linebackers 1-on-1 (a ton of flare routes on his tape).” Johnson also demonstrated reliability by recording just one fumble and one drop despite handling the ball nearly three hundred times during his final college season.
Johnson previously played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium when Nebraska faced Cincinnati last August; he rushed for more than one hundred yards and added seven catches in that contest. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Johnson was recognized as Minnesota’s “Mr. Football” as a senior before joining Nebraska.
The Chiefs expect Johnson’s experience as both a rusher and receiver will add depth to their offense moving forward.
