The Denver Broncos continue their due diligence ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, bringing in Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson for one of their coveted Top 30 visits. In a draft class loaded with defensive talent and intriguing quarterback prospects, the Broncos’ decision to host Johnson reflects a more nuanced approach to roster building. While Denver’s backfield isn’t bare, the franchise has made it clear through their pre-draft activity that they’re exploring every avenue to inject explosiveness into their offense—and Johnson, with his blend of power, agility, and breakaway speed, is as compelling a prospect as any in this year’s crop of ball carriers.
At 6-foot and 222 pounds, Kaleb Johnson is a north-south runner with surprising top-end speed and the kind of lower-body strength that allows him to bounce off tacklers and create extra yardage. He exploded onto the national scene during his freshman season at Iowa, rushing for 779 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. That included a dazzling 200-yard performance on just 22 carries against Purdue—a game that etched his name into Big Ten lore and reminded fans of the kind of physical dominance that defined Hawkeyes football during its peak years.
Johnson’s sophomore campaign was slightly more subdued, as Iowa’s offense continued to struggle with inconsistency and injuries, but he remained a steady contributor. Despite facing stacked boxes and limited passing game support, Johnson managed to remain productive, showcasing his vision, burst, and ability to grind out tough yards. His film shows a back who doesn’t shy away from contact, consistently fights for extra yardage, and has enough juice to hit the home run when given a crease. That mix of traits has earned him a place on the radar of several NFL teams, including the Broncos, who are in the market for a long-term solution—or at least a high-upside rotational piece—in their backfield.
For Denver, the interest in Johnson makes a great deal of sense. The Broncos finished near the bottom of the league in rushing yards per game last season, and while Javonte Williams has flashed starter-caliber ability when healthy, his recovery from multiple knee injuries has limited his impact. Samaje Perine provided veteran leadership and short-yardage production, but he’s not the future at the position. Jaleel McLaughlin, an undrafted free agent who emerged as a sparkplug, may have a role, but the Broncos need a back who can be counted on for 15 to 20 touches per game if necessary. Johnson profiles as that kind of player—one who could flourish in Sean Payton’s zone-blocking scheme, where patience, vision, and acceleration are paramount.
The Broncos’ Top 30 visit with Johnson gave the coaching staff and front office a closer look at his football IQ, work ethic, and personality. By all accounts, Johnson impressed with his humility, team-first attitude, and passion for the game. Those are traits that Payton values highly in his players, particularly in offensive skill positions where consistency and coachability can often matter more than raw talent. Johnson’s demeanor and quiet confidence have drawn comparisons to Alvin Kamara—another back Payton coached in New Orleans—though Johnson is more of a downhill bruiser than the ultra-elusive Kamara.
Scouts love Johnson’s ability to press the line of scrimmage and make decisive cuts. He’s not a jitterbug in space, but he has excellent lateral quickness for a back his size and doesn’t waste movement. What stands out most on tape, however, is his contact balance. Defenders often struggle to bring him down with arm tackles, and he has a knack for churning out extra yards after initial contact. His yards-after-contact numbers ranked among the best in the Big Ten, and that physicality could translate well to the NFL level—especially in cold-weather games late in the season when running backs who can wear down defenses become invaluable.
As a pass catcher, Johnson remains somewhat of a work in progress. Iowa rarely featured him in the passing game, though he did show soft hands and a willingness to stick his nose in on blitz pickups. The Broncos likely see untapped potential here, especially given how Payton has historically utilized running backs as pass-catching threats out of the backfield. If Johnson can develop in this area, he could become a true three-down contributor—a rarity in today’s NFL and a huge asset for a team looking to control tempo and support a young quarterback.
Denver currently holds multiple mid-round picks, which is precisely where Johnson is projected to be selected. Most draft analysts have pegged him as a Day 3 prospect, with a chance to rise into late Day 2 if a team falls in love with his intangibles and upside. His lack of elite top-end speed—despite running a solid 4.52 40-yard dash at his pro day—may keep him from being viewed as a top-tier prospect, but teams value durability and consistency at the position more than ever. Johnson checks those boxes. He was rarely injured during his collegiate career and consistently played through minor nicks without losing effectiveness.
For the Broncos, drafting Johnson would align with their desire to become more balanced offensively. In 2024, the offense struggled to stay on schedule, often putting the team in third-and-long situations that exposed their quarterback play and offensive line protection. A reliable early-down runner like Johnson could change that dynamic, allowing Denver to dictate the pace and stay ahead of the sticks. His physical running style could also complement the finesse and speed that McLaughlin brings to the table, giving the Broncos a true thunder-and-lightning backfield tandem.
Beyond the on-field fit, Johnson represents the kind of high-character player that general manager George Paton and Sean Payton have tried to build around. The Broncos have placed an emphasis on culture and locker room chemistry as they rebuild the franchise following several tumultuous seasons. Johnson, who was known as a quiet leader at Iowa, would bring a professional mindset to the facility and be a positive influence on and off the field.
It’s worth noting that Johnson has also drawn interest from several other teams, including the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and New York Giants—all of whom have hosted or plan to host him for pre-draft meetings. That kind of interest speaks to his rising stock and the perception that he could outperform his draft slot. If the Broncos are serious about landing him, they may have to use one of their earlier Day 3 picks or even trade up slightly to ensure they secure him.
The 2025 draft is expected to be unpredictable after the first round, with a glut of similar-graded players available in the third through fifth rounds. Running backs, in particular, may slide due to positional value concerns, but history has shown that quality backs can be found anywhere on the board. Players like Isiah Pacheco, Tyler Allgeier, and even Alvin Kamara were all mid-to-late round picks who became impact players early in their careers. Johnson has that kind of ceiling if placed in the right environment and given the opportunity to grow.
As the Broncos weigh their options, the Kaleb Johnson visit could be a sign of their commitment to adding toughness and balance to their roster. While quarterback remains a long-term question and offensive line upgrades are still needed, finding a consistent running game would go a long way in stabilizing Denver’s offense and giving their next signal-caller a better chance to succeed. Whether Johnson becomes a Bronco or not, his visit is a clear indicator that the team is looking to build from the ground up—quite literally—by emphasizing the trenches and the run game.
In a league constantly shifting toward passing and explosive perimeter play, there’s still a place for backs who can control the clock, finish drives, and wear down defenses. Kaleb Johnson may not be the flashiest name in this draft, but he’s a throwback in the best possible way: tough, dependable, and ready to do the dirty work. If the Broncos want to return to the physical identity that once made them perennial contenders, Johnson could be a key piece of that puzzle.
With just days remaining until the 2025 NFL Draft, everything remains fluid, and smokescreens abound. But one thing is clear—Kaleb Johnson has earned serious consideration from a team that’s looking for answers in all the right places. And if the Broncos do pull the trigger, they may very well walk away with one of the most underrated steals in the entire draft class.