The Washington Commanders will get a close look at one of the more intriguing running back prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Washington Commanders will get a close look at one of the more intriguing running back prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Ryan Fowler reported on Saturday morning that the Commanders are expected to host former Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson on a top-30 visit.
Johnson, ranked the fifth best running back prospect in ESPN's positional rankings, becomes the latest prospect to surface at a position of need.
A 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back originally from Minnesota, Johnson proved himself among the most efficient backs in 2025 after routinely showing an ability to pick up yards after contact.
He ended his college career tabbed a First Team All-American by multiple outlets while becoming a semifinalist for both the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award in 2025, along with becoming a first team All Big Ten selection by both coaches and media.
Johnson also etched his named in the Huskers' record book after notching two receiving touchdowns against UCLA, becoming the first player in program history to record both 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in the same game, doing so in his third consecutive 100 yard rushing game.
The Huskers feature back ended 2025 with eight 100 yard rushing games, including five straight to end the regular season and a sensational performance in the season finale vs. Iowa, rushing for 217 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries.
The deeper dive into the possible day three selection makes sense for a Commanders unit that could use an additional piece to round out the room. The front office inked a pair of free agents with Jerome Ford and Rachaad White now headed to Washington, while Jeremy McNichols re-signed on a one year contract to restock a room that returns Jacory Croskey-Merritt for his second season.
Of course, the big name at the position that has drawn all the eyeballs over the last six weeks has been Jeremiyah Love, the former Notre Dame running back who blossomed into a Heisman trophy finalist in his final season of college football. Buzz also materialized earlier this week that the Commanders are expected to prioritize both wide receiver and cornerback with its pair of top-100 selections, an unsurprising development as general manager Adam Peters and the front office look to address the remaining positions of needs.
Yet with four selections on day four, Johnson adds intrigue as an underrated prospect who elevates the talent level in a potential Commanders running back room, finalizing Anthony Lynn's unit heading into 2026.