Sports
Josh Frey’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide: Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson
The running back position is an evolving commodity in the NFL, and multiple teams will be looking to shore up their backfields this offseason.
Running backs have continued to become more athletic and more involved in the passing game as the years have gone on, and Emmett Johnson is the perfect example of that build in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Background
Statistics
- 2023: 89 carries, 411 yards, 2 TDs; 7 receptions, 46 yards (12 games)
- 2024: 90 carries, 598 yards, 1 TD; 39 receptions, 286 yards, 2 TDs (13 games)
- 2025: 251 carries, 1451 yards, 12 TDs; 46 receptions, 370 yards, 3 TDs (12 games)
Measurables
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 202 pounds
- Hand Size: 9 3/4″
- Arm Length: 30 1/4″
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.56
- 10-Yard Split: 1.59
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.29
- Vertical: 35.5″
- Broad Jump: 10′
- 3-Cone: 7.32
- Bench: 16 reps
Johnson patiently waited in the Nebraska backfield for his opportunity to shine after redshirting his freshman year and being a rotational back in 2023 and 2024. He finally got his starting opportunity in 2025, and he made the most of it.
Johnson led the Big 10 in carries and rushing yards this year for a Cornhuskers program that hasn’t been known for having a star running back in a long time. Now, he is hoping that productive year can propel him towards the top of the draft class this spring.
Strengths
The first thing that jumps off the screen when watching Johnson play is his explosive burst out of the backfield. He gets up to speed in a hurry, and while he won’t necessarily blow people away with his long speed, his 10-yard split is very comparable to that of Jeremiyah Love’s, which is a much more telling metric for running backs who won’t be running in a straight line downfield very often.
Not only is Johnson a cannon ball once he gets a carry, he is a very slippery runner. It doesn’t take much of a gap for him to find a way to slither his way through the trenches to pick up some positive yards. Once he gets into the open field, he uses his excellent vision and agility to change directions in a hurry, leaving potential tacklers in his dust.
The versatility as a receiver is just the kicker, making him a player with true three-down potential in today’s NFL. Nebraska wasn’t afraid to line him up in the slot to run routes, which is a testament to his footwork.
Weaknesses
While Johnson’s receiving ability can keep him on the field on third down, his lack of size and power could cause trouble in short yardage situations and near the goal line in the NFL.
That lack of size not only impacts his ability to truck his way for 2-3 yards on third and short, but he is not equipped to handle a pass blocking role at the next level. He often found himself struggling to keep pass rushers in front of him on the few pass blocking opportunities he had in college.
2026 NFL Draft Projection
- NFL Draft Projection: Day 2 (Mid Round 2-Early Round 3)
- Team Fits: Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars
Johnson is best fit in a running back room with another running back who can be a ground-and-pound type of player, but there certainly is a role in the NFL for him. He has all the energy and effort that you look for in a prospect, and he proved in 2025 he is capable of taking the bulk of the carries throughout a season.
Editor’s Note: Statistics from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.
