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Meet Emmett Johnson, new Chiefs' RB draft pick who is a steal after trade with Steelers
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- Meet Emmett Johnson, new Chiefs' RB draft pick who is a steal after trade with Steelers
Meet Emmett Johnson, new Chiefs' RB draft pick who is a steal after trade with Steelers originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Kansas City Chiefs weren't on the clock at pick 161. The Pittsburgh Steelers were.
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But then the Chiefs made a trade up to that slot, and when a deal happens this late in the draft, you know a team really wanted a guy.
The Chiefs leaped one pick directly in front of the Ravens , so maybe they were worried about their AFC rival sniping them. The Chiefs got 161 and 241 for 169 and 210 to Pittsburgh.
Anyway, the pick in the fifth round: Emmett Johnson, the running back out of Nebraska.
Johnson was a surprise slide this far.
It could be a steal for the Chiefs.
2026 NFL DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available
What to know about Emmett Johnson
In 2025, Johnson led the Big Ten in rushing in 2025 with 1,451 yards (5.8 yards per carry), and he had 12 touchdowns.
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He also is a good receiver, with 46 catches for 370 yards and three more TDs.
Some draft boards had him ranked as the No. 2 RB in this class. So sliding down this far is a big deal.
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He only ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds, but the Chiefs won't care. They traded up because they knew he could play.
As long as Johnson produces behind their new big-money RB Kenneth Walker, it'll work out just fine for Kansas City.
