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The Houston Texans very well could be looking for a running mate to pair with Pro Bowler Joe Mixon for the 2025 season and beyond. It's why another mid-round pick recently visited NRG Stadium.
Iowa All-American running back Kaleb Johnson visited the Texans at NRG Stadium on Tuesday ahead of the upcoming NFL draft. The league's top runner posted a video to his Instagram account of him inside the Texans' locker room.
According to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson, Johnson also visited the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans this past week.
Johnson, a 6-foot-1, 224-pound bowling ball runner, was named the Big Ten Conference Running Back of the Year last season and was a finalist for the Doak Walker award. He rushed for 1,537 yards and a school single-season record 21 touchdowns as he scored 138 points.
Throughout his final season with the Hawkeyes, Johnson averaged 6.4 yards per carry and had 1,725 all-purpose yards. He also set the school record with 23 total touchdowns as he caught 22 passes for 188 yards and two scores. For his Iowa career, Johnson rushed for 2,779 yards and 30 TDs on 508 attempts and totaled 240 receiving yards with two receiving touchdowns.
At the combine last month, Johnson posted a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash. He's previously dealt with some injuries, but that shouldn't be a concern after playing in 13 games during the 2024 season.
While Mixon should remain the top runner for 2025, he'll be 30 after the regular season. The running back life begins to decline after multiple seasons as a workhorse in run-oriented offenses. Houston also never found stability on the ground during the three games Mixon missed in 2024 because of an ankle injury, so trusting Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale is a risk the team might not be willing to take.
The Texans should target a running back in the later rounds, but Johnson likely won't be there when on the clock come Day 3. Most believe the former All-American will fall off the board anywhere between the middle of Round 2 or early in Round 3.
Houston, which does own two third-round picks, could target Johnson at pick No. 79 acquired by the Washington Commanders. Of course, other positions, including stability on the offensive line, must be addressed first.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL Draft: Texans meet with Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson for top 30 visit
Continue reading...
Iowa All-American running back Kaleb Johnson visited the Texans at NRG Stadium on Tuesday ahead of the upcoming NFL draft. The league's top runner posted a video to his Instagram account of him inside the Texans' locker room.
According to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson, Johnson also visited the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans this past week.
Johnson, a 6-foot-1, 224-pound bowling ball runner, was named the Big Ten Conference Running Back of the Year last season and was a finalist for the Doak Walker award. He rushed for 1,537 yards and a school single-season record 21 touchdowns as he scored 138 points.
Throughout his final season with the Hawkeyes, Johnson averaged 6.4 yards per carry and had 1,725 all-purpose yards. He also set the school record with 23 total touchdowns as he caught 22 passes for 188 yards and two scores. For his Iowa career, Johnson rushed for 2,779 yards and 30 TDs on 508 attempts and totaled 240 receiving yards with two receiving touchdowns.
At the combine last month, Johnson posted a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash. He's previously dealt with some injuries, but that shouldn't be a concern after playing in 13 games during the 2024 season.
While Mixon should remain the top runner for 2025, he'll be 30 after the regular season. The running back life begins to decline after multiple seasons as a workhorse in run-oriented offenses. Houston also never found stability on the ground during the three games Mixon missed in 2024 because of an ankle injury, so trusting Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale is a risk the team might not be willing to take.
Kaleb Johnson is a legitimate RB1
Age: 21
He accomplished this in JUST 12 Games and didn’t Fumble ONCE all season (262 Touches)..
Advanced Analytics:
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) March 10, 2025
The Texans should target a running back in the later rounds, but Johnson likely won't be there when on the clock come Day 3. Most believe the former All-American will fall off the board anywhere between the middle of Round 2 or early in Round 3.
Houston, which does own two third-round picks, could target Johnson at pick No. 79 acquired by the Washington Commanders. Of course, other positions, including stability on the offensive line, must be addressed first.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL Draft: Texans meet with Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson for top 30 visit
Continue reading...
