Pittsburgh got steal of NFL Draft in Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson 

While the NFL has become a quarterback-driven league, a position that's still up in the air for the Steelers, it's still essential to have a ground game and a balanced attack. 

And Pittsburgh was able to address their clear need at running back without having to reach or take a risk. Instead, they waited and let one of the most explosive players from the 2024 college football season fall in their lap. 

In his first full season as the Hawkeye' top back, the 6-foot-1, 224-pound Johnson put up monster numbers as the main reason Iowa was ever able to get on the scoreboard. 

Johnson ran for 1,537 rushing yards on 240 carries, averaging a staggering 6.4 yards per carry. Johnson found the end zone 21 times as a runner and twice more through the air — he recorded 22 receptions for 188 yards as a receiver. 

Johnson's vision and ability to get up the field allowed him to earn Big Ten Running Back of the Year honors and also be named a Second-Team Associated Press All-American. 

To fully paint the picture of the type of back the Steelers got, NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Johnson as the No. 3 running back and the No. 44 overall player available. Brugler placed Johnson only behind Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton. 

"Johnson isn’t a dynamic make-you-miss athlete, but he is a patient and powerful one-cut runner with the instinctive vision to crease the defense using run angles and foot quickness. His play style is reminiscent of DeMarco Murray with a three-down skill set to thrive in a zone-based NFL scheme," said Brugler about Johnson. 

But despite Johnson's production and accolades, he fell to late in the third round and ended up being selected after TreVeyon Henderson, Dylan Sampson, Quinshon Judkins and Bhayshul Tuten in addition to Jeanty and Hampton. 

"My heart dropped. I had been waiting all day. It was a dream for me and my family. It’s an unreal feeling. I can’t explain it. I am more than excited now. I am blessed. I am a Steeler now. I am ready to work," Johnson told the Steelers about what went through his head when he learned he would continue to wear Black and Gold, but now do it in the NFL for Pittsburgh. 

In three years in the brutal Big Ten, a conference often known for a similar style to the AFC North, Johnson totaled 2,779 yards on 508 attempts for an average of 5.5 yards per touch.