What Is Kaleb Johnson's Weakness? Peeking Into The Steelers RB's Areas For Growth

Valentine Luettgen 28 Jul 2025

Many football fans and talent evaluators are, quite frankly, eager to see what Kaleb Johnson brings to the professional game. After a truly impressive 2024 college season, where he put up some eye-popping numbers for the Iowa Hawkeyes, he's certainly caught a lot of attention. You know, he ran for a massive 1,537 yards and scored 21 touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, which is pretty special.

He even led the Big Ten in rushing, which, you know, is no small feat. It's almost, in a way, like he exploded onto the scene, especially after a sophomore year that saw him deal with an ankle injury and a reduced workload. His hard work and dedication really showed, actually.

But, as with any promising player making the jump to the next level, there are always parts of their game that need a little more polish. So, people are asking, "What is Kaleb Johnson's weakness?" We're going to take a really close look at just that, drawing straight from what we've heard and seen about this exciting young running back.

Kaleb Johnson At a Glance
The Primary Area for Improvement: Pass Protection
Running Style and Physicality Concerns
Athleticism and Fluidity on the Field
How Kaleb Johnson Is Addressing His Weaknesses
Looking Ahead for Johnson
Frequently Asked Questions About Kaleb Johnson

Kaleb Johnson At a Glance

Before we get into the areas where Kaleb Johnson can grow, it's helpful to have a quick overview of who he is. He's a young talent, born on August 14, 2003, and he's now part of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, having been picked in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. That's a pretty big deal, you know.

He played his college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, a school that, in a way, has a long history of sending good running backs, tight ends, offensive linemen, and defensive players to the pros. Johnson, it seems, is ready to keep that tradition going for sure.

His junior season in 2024 was truly outstanding, as we mentioned. He carried the ball 240 times for those 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns. This breakout year really put him on the map, and honestly, if Ashton Jeanty hadn't had such a stellar 2024 season himself, there's a good chance Kaleb Johnson would have, like, won the Doak Walker Award. He was that good, basically.

Personal Details & Bio Data

Category	Detail
Full Name	Kaleb Johnson
Date of Birth	August 14, 2003
College	Iowa Hawkeyes
NFL Team	Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL Draft	2025, 3rd Round
2024 College Rushing Yards	1,537 yards
2024 College Rushing Touchdowns	21 touchdowns
2024 College Yards Per Carry	6.4 yards

The Primary Area for Improvement: Pass Protection

When you ask Kaleb Johnson himself about his biggest area for growth, he's, like, incredibly honest and direct. He pointed out that pass protection is his weakness, and he even said, "pass blocking, that's my main thing." This is, you know, a pretty big deal for a running back in the NFL, as they're often called upon to help protect the quarterback.

This candid admission is, in a way, a good sign, because it shows he's aware and ready to tackle it head-on. A scouting report on the Iowa running back also confirms this, noting that pass protection will be the biggest challenge for Johnson in his early professional career. So, it's not just him saying it; others see it too, obviously.

While he has shown some real physical strength, his technique in this area, you know, still needs some work. It's an important skill that requires a lot of refinement, especially when you're facing professional defenders who are, like, incredibly fast and strong. He's making efforts to improve that, which is great, really.

Running Style and Physicality Concerns

Beyond pass blocking, there are a few other aspects of Kaleb Johnson's running style that have been noted as areas for development. For one, while he consistently gains the yardage that's, you know, available to him, he rarely creates much more than what the blocking gives him. He's not often seen, like, breaking multiple tackles or turning a small gain into a huge play purely on his own. He gets what's there, which is good, but doesn't always go beyond it, you know.

Another point that comes up is that his physicality and his running demeanor don't always match his size. He's a big guy, but he doesn't, like, consistently square up defenders and plow right through them. This means he might not always be the type of back who grinds out those tough, short-yardage gains by just running over people, which is, in a way, a bit surprising given his build.

His running style is also described as being a bit upright. This makes him, honestly, a bigger target for defenders, and it can sometimes make it harder for him to shed tackles or absorb hits effectively. You know, a lower running stance often helps backs bounce off hits and keep their balance, so this is something he might need to adjust, too.

Athleticism and Fluidity on the Field

When you watch Kaleb Johnson run, you might notice that he won't, like, dazzle the opposition with incredible athleticism in terms of quick cuts or sudden changes of direction. He's a bit rigid as a runner, and he tends to lack the hip fluidity that allows some backs to, you know, cut sharply outside or make those really shifty moves in the open field.

This isn't to say he's not fast or powerful, because he clearly is, as his yardage and touchdown numbers show. But his running style is more, you know, straight-line and north-south. He's not typically going to be the back who, like, makes three guys miss in a phone booth with a series of jukes. His game is more about hitting the hole and getting upfield, which is, honestly, effective in its own way.

This straight-line style means he's very good at what he does, but it also highlights areas where he could, you know, expand his repertoire a little. Adding more fluidity to his movements could help him create more yardage on his own, even when the blocking isn't perfect. It's just a different kind of skill set, apparently.

How Kaleb Johnson Is Addressing His Weaknesses

The good news is that Kaleb Johnson is, you know, very much aware of these areas for improvement and is actively working on them. He's been incredibly candid about where he needs to level up his game as he transitions into the NFL. This kind of self-awareness is, in a way, a really positive trait for a young player.

He made it clear that he's taking time after practice to work specifically on his pass blocking, which, you know, shows real dedication. At rookie minicamp with the Steelers, he emphasized his commitment to honing this skill, stating again, "pass blocking—that’s my main thing." This kind of focus is, honestly, what you want to see from a new professional.

It's also worth remembering that Kaleb Johnson himself said the biggest change he made ahead of his breakout junior season was a commitment to running more physically. He admitted he ran too timid early in his college career, so he's shown he can, like, adjust his approach and improve aspects of his game. This past season was, you know, proof of that.

Looking Ahead for Johnson

While Kaleb Johnson's draft prospects might have been living a bit in the shadow of other running back peers, like Ashton Jeanty, who played at bigger schools in more potent offenses, his time to shine will come soon enough. He's got offensive rookie of the year aspirations on his mind, which is, you know, a bold goal, but it shows his drive.

His impressive 2024 season, especially with the expanded Big Ten, might just help him buck that trend and go in the first three rounds of the draft, which he did, actually. The Steelers picking him in the third round is, like, a big vote of confidence. You can learn more about running back development on our site, which might give you some extra context.

Pass protection will, very likely, be the biggest challenge for Johnson in his early professional days. However, his commitment to improving, as shown by his work at rookie minicamp and his past ability to adjust his running style, suggests he's ready to meet these challenges head-on. Keep an eye on his progress; it's going to be interesting to see how he develops, honestly.

You can also check out this page to see how other rookies adapt to the NFL, which is, you know, pretty relevant to Johnson's situation. His journey is just beginning, and with his talent and dedication, he has a real chance to make a significant impact.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kaleb Johnson

What is Kaleb Johnson's main weakness?

Kaleb Johnson has openly stated that his main weakness is pass protection, or pass blocking. This is, you know, an area he's actively working to improve as he transitions to the professional level. Scouting reports also, like, confirm this as a key area for his development, basically.

How is Kaleb Johnson improving his pass protection?

Johnson is making a real effort to improve his pass protection. He has pointed out that he's taking extra time after practice to work on this skill. He also emphasized his commitment to honing this at rookie minicamp with the Steelers, which is, you know, a very positive sign of his dedication, honestly.

What kind of runner is Kaleb Johnson?

As a runner, Kaleb Johnson is, you know, quite rigid and tends to lack the hip fluidity for making sharp cuts outside. He consistently gets the yards that are blocked for him, but he rarely generates much more than what's available through, like, shifty moves. He's also noted for an upright running style, which can make him a bigger target for defenders, apparently.

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