sand357 Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Caleb Johnson believes he’s as versatile as Derrick Henry or Dalvin Cook. sand357
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie third-round draft pick Caleb Johnson touts himself as an all-around running back who could reach the level of Pro Bowl running backs Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook, NFL Network reports. ( sand357 )
“I feel like I’m an all-around back. I can be a Derrick Henry back or a Dalvin Cook back,” Johnson said. “And I feel like that’s what sets me apart from other backs in the league and at the level I’ve come up to, because overall I feel like I’m a fast back and I can be a strong back, catch the ball in the backfield and be reliable.”
Johnson exploded in his only year as a starter at Iowa. Playing in 12 games in 2024, the Hawkeyes rushed 240 times for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 188 yards and two scores. Considering Iowa’s offense is throwing the ball so little, it was a remarkable performance.
His combination of speed and power has drawn comparisons to Henry, with whom Johnson said he communicated during the draft process.
‘I texted him and he texted me too. He was so inspiring and told me so many stories about the league. It was exciting.’
Johnson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds, showing that he doesn’t have super speed, but he can make big scores with his vision, toughness and running through the first tackle. At 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds, he has the size to absorb impact.
