Nebraska running back named one of the NFL draft's biggest steals

A Nebraska running back has been named one of the steals of the NFL draft. Emmett Johnson was taken with the 161st pick by the Kansas City Chiefs over the weekend.

The Minneapolis native is the first Husker running back selected in the NFL draft since the Detroit Lions selected Ameer Abdullah with pick 54 in the second round. Johnson was named the Big Ten Running Back of the Year for his performance last season.

In 12 games this season, he had 1,451 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had 46 catches for 370 yards, bringing his all-purpose yards total to 1,821 yards, second in the nation for running backs.

USA TODAY Sports Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz released his list of the ten best value picks of the 2026 NFL draft. It was not a great year for the running back position as only three backs were taken in the draft's first three rounds.

Johnson was one of the backs who was met with skepticism until the Chiefs called on the Nebraska standout midway through Day 3. Big gains might not come easily to a runner who lacks a breakaway gear. But Johnson is built to either maneuver around would-be tacklers in close quarters or barrel through them, and he's comfortable taking on a hefty workload as a pass catcher.