John Daigle opened Round 2 by taking third-rounder Caleb Johnson, arguing the Steelers drafted him to duplicate Najee Harris’s every-down role once Harris hits free agency. Johnson backed up his 218-pound frame with a 4.48 forty and 82nd-percentile three-cone, then logged a 14-percent target share in his lone season as UCLA’s starter. Daigle pointed to Arthur Smith’s history of funneling 300 touches to a single back (Derrick Henry three straight seasons) and the Steelers’ offseason commitment to a bully-ball identity—four offensive-line additions including first-round LT Patrick Paul. Even if 2024 efficiency is mediocre, Daigle expects 18–20 touches weekly and a built-in 2025 path to unchallenged lead-back status when both Harris and Jalen Warren become free agents.

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.