Sean Koerner said Caleb Johnson is his preferred Round 7 target among the RB2 options because he expects Johnson to inherit the early-down “Najee role” in Pittsburgh. Koerner projects a 15-plus-carry workload that should give Johnson a bankable weekly floor even though Koerner’s own ranks slot him at RB 27 (four spots below the RB 23 ADP). Limited passing-game work caps the ceiling, but Koerner argued that dependable touches are priceless in the middle rounds and make Johnson the safest choice among the remaining backs.

Sean Koerner nabbed Caleb Johnson at RB23, projecting the rookie to inherit the Najee-Harris early-down workload. Koerner conceded Johnson’s receiving ceiling is limited but stressed that Pittsburgh’s run-centric philosophy and willingness to ride a lead back provide a sturdy weekly floor. Volume alone should keep Johnson in the RB2 conversation, and any offensive efficiency gains give him upside beyond his draft cost.

Jake Ciely explained that the Steelers have told us repeatedly they do not view Jalen Warren as a bell-cow. Pittsburgh reinforced that stance by adding Caleb Johnson, whose size and skill set mirrors former Steeler Najee Harris. Ciely projects a 55-45 or similar split with Johnson handling most early-down and goal-line snaps, keeping Warren in the RB3 range while Johnson settles as a back-end RB2. He reminded listeners that even a modest workload shift hurts Warren’s efficiency and noted the upside for either back vaulting into the top-15 if the other is injured, making Johnson an appealing pick at his current ‘back-end RB2’ ADP.

Rich Cooling is buying Caleb Johnson at RB27, stressing that his viability hinges on who actually controls the Steelers’ offense. If Arthur Smith’s zone-heavy scheme (74 % zone run rate last year) wins out, Johnson slots perfectly into a line that grades better in run blocking than pass pro. Even if Rodgers overrides Smith, Cooling still sees PPR juice: Rodgers showed a high check-down rate with the Jets, and Mike Tomlin has a long history of turning short throws into fantasy gold (Najee Harris’s 74-catch season; Le’Veon Bell before him). Cooling concedes the Rodgers red-zone takeover could cap TDs, but he thinks Johnson’s long-run ability in outside-zone plus 50-reception upside at his price makes him one of the better mid-round swings.

Steve Palazzolo said rookie running back Caleb Johnson is the sneaky fantasy winner of Pittsburgh’s off-season. Palazzolo expects Arthur Smith to revive the old Tennessee blueprint—outside-zone on early downs, play-action off it, and only 25ish pass attempts from Aaron Rodgers. Johnson was one of Palazzolo’s highest-graded zone runners in college and lands behind a line he believes will be "pretty good" at run blocking even if the pass protection lags. With questions about the receiver room and a defense he already projected as elite, Palazzolo anticipates a ball-control script that can feed Johnson 18-22 touches most weeks, giving him low-end RB2 value in best-ball and season-long leagues at a current double-digit ADP.

Mike Wright said Caleb Johnson is the only Steeler he actively wants in drafts right now. Johnson’s current late-eighth-round Sleeper ADP is a temporary bargain—Wright expects it to jump several rounds once casual drafters arrive in August because rookies always spike. He projects Jaylen Warren to open the season as the nominal starter thanks to superior pass protection and Aaron Rodgers’ preference for veteran backs, but believes Johnson’s break-away speed and big-play profile will force a changing of the guard by October. Pittsburgh spent its first pick on Johnson to replace Najee Harris and wants more explosive runs after ranking 28th in pass rate under Arthur Smith. Rodgers’ presence means defenses can’t load the box, setting up chunk gains once Johnson’s touch share climbs. Wright urged fantasy managers in season-long leagues to draft Johnson ahead of Warren, remain patient through the first few weeks, and reap an upside RB2 the rest of the way.

Sean Koerner loved Caleb Johnson’s fit in Pittsburgh, saying Mike Tomlin already views the Iowa product as a "Najee Harris 2.0" who can handle traditional workhorse volume. Koerner cited Tomlin’s public praise that Johnson routinely ran into eight-man boxes—over 50 percent of his college carries, tops in the class—yet maintained efficiency. The Steelers spent early-second-round capital on Johnson after losing patience with Najee and Jaylen Warren, a signal they want a bruising early-down back. Koerner expects Johnson to seize the between-the-tackles and goal-line role immediately, pushing Warren into change-of-pace duty. He ranks Johnson as an RB3/Flex in early drafts but believes a 260-touch rookie season is firmly on the table if Pittsburgh’s offense improves under Arthur Smith.

Sam Monson said the third-round selection of Caleb Johnson could quickly pay off for fantasy gamers. Monson argued Pittsburgh stole Johnson after several lower-graded backs went ahead of him and called the former Iowa runner a perfect fit for new OC Arthur Smith’s wide-zone heavy playbook. Johnson’s game is built on momentum—Monson likened the stylistic need to "get him moving" to the way Tennessee used Derrick Henry—and he repeatedly noted that defenders "bounce off him once he has a head of steam." With Najee Harris gone and only Jalen Warren profiling as lightning to Johnson’s thunder, Monson believes the rookie has a realistic path to 15-18 early-down touches per week and short-yardage/goal-line work. Monson added that because Smith’s offenses have ranked top-10 in rush rate every season he has called plays, Johnson projects as an immediate RB2 in season-long leagues and a valuable late-round target in best ball formats, especially in builds that fade the early running-back tiers.

Andy Holloway said third–round rookie Caleb Johnson immediately threatens Jaylen Warren for touches and could mirror the old Najee/Warren split by October. Holloway compared Johnson’s backfield patience to prime LeVeon Bell, noting the Iowa standout routinely hit 22 mph on GPS despite a middling forty. Mike Tomlin has preferred a single-back approach for almost two decades and Pittsburgh’s decision to spend Day-2 capital confirms they are searching for a lead runner. The new Arthur Smith offense muddies exact roles, but Holloway still expects 180–200 carries if Johnson proves reliable in pass protection—a trait Holloway highlighted after watching Johnson pick up free blitzers in Senior-Bowl drills. With the Steelers projected to play winning football again (Tomlin remains at zero losing seasons), goal-line chances should be plentiful. Holloway recommended treating Johnson as a mid-second-round rookie pick and a late redraft flier who could become a weekly RB2 if Warren stumbles.

Polzin gushed over Caleb Johnson’s landing spot, calling him a stylistic copy of Najee Harris who now gets to learn in the same offense. Pittsburgh spent low-end Day 2 capital, a signal they view Johnson as more than a change-of-pace back. Harris handled 287 touches last year, and with his fifth-year option looming, Polzin expects the franchise to lean heavily on Johnson’s fresh legs in 2026 – if not sooner should Harris struggle. The rookie’s size and one-cut vision match Arthur Smith’s downhill scheme, making Johnson a sneaky late-first dynasty pick who could vault into a 250-touch role within two seasons.