The Vikings should consider drafting Emmett Johnson in the NFL Draft.
Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson established himself as a dynamic threat during the 2025 season and a premier prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite a subpar NFL Combine performance, he should still be an enticing day two target for the Minnesota Vikings. His elusiveness, short-area burst, and vision make him an explosive, change-of-pace back who can instantly elevate an offense.
It’s highly unlikely Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love falls to pick 18, so the Vikings will have to wait until day two to address the position. Recently, the Vikings have been stacked at running back, with Adrian Peterson, Dalvin Cook, and Aaron Jones. However, all have passed, except for Jones who is aging, and it’s time to invest in it. Jordan Mason is an amazing complementary piece, but shouldn't be the sole back.
Additionally, the Vikings will begin 2026 with JJ McCarthy as their starting quarterback. He was inconsistent last year, and currently can’t win games on his own. To supplement this, the front office needs to surround him with as many playmakers as possible to make his job easier. They already have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison (depending on his off-the-field issues), but could use more. Because of this, selecting Emmett Johnson on day two would be smart.
Johnson is incredibly elusive in space and is challenging to tackle. It’s rare for the first defender to bring him down, as he’s slippery and has a full toolbox of moves he can deploy. This pairs well with his short area-burst. Johnson can accelerate and decelerate instantly, which helps keep defenders off balance and allows him to quickly reach his top speed.
Another impressive aspect of Johnson’s game is his vision and creativity while in the backfield. He is patient with the ball, waiting for his blocks to set up. Then, once he sees a gap, he uses his aforementioned acceleration to fly through the lane and get to the second level. Even if a gap doesn’t appear immediately, he surveys the whole field and can cut back or bounce outside to find green grass. His creativity is a key reason he ended last year with over 1,400 yards despite having an inconsistent offensive line. This ability will translate in the NFL and help him ease the transition to higher competition.
The biggest talking point around Johnson is his mediocre combine performance. He posted a 5.85 relative athletic score and only ran a 4.56 40-yard dash. It was already known he wasn’t a straight-line burner, but putting a number on it is scaring some people off. This is concerning, but shouldn’t be taken out of proportion. He’s still an outstanding player who can heavily impact an NFL team.
Overall, Emmett Johnson would be an ideal day-two target for the Vikings. He would pair with Jordan Mason for a formidable backfield duo and give JJ McCarthy another dynamic weapon. His elusiveness, short-area quickness, and vision make him an enticing option.