Understandably, much of the Kansas City Chiefs draft fallout has focused on the additions to Steve Spagnuolo's defense. Considering that these selections have the biggest expected impact, this is more than fair. However, it has caused one selection to go a bit under the radar in fifth-round running back Emmett Johnson. The playmaker steps onto the KC roster with a path to becoming the team's second option behind free agent addition Kenneth Walker.
What makes Johnson so exciting is that he is a complete back that fell in the draft for reasons that remain a bit elusive. In his senior season with Nebraska, Johnson finished the year with 1,821 scrimmage yards and 15 total touchdowns. This is elite college production that was overshadowed by the fact that Johnson hadn't previously put up these types of numbers in limited chances.
For the Chiefs, this is all the better as it limits the punishment that an extremely physical position inevitably takes. There is a reason why backs rarely age well, and Johnson has the advantage of coming off a huge college season while also having limited reps over the past four seasons. All of this shows why Kansas City has every reason to believe that Johnson was the team's steal of the draft.
It is important to note here that this doesn't mean the best pick or the most impactful, but the best value. The back has a very real chance to win the backup role behind Walker and become an important piece of Andy Reid's offense.
Chiefs Quietly Added Drafted Potential Steal in Playmaker Emmett Johnson
What makes Johnson so exciting is the back's potential as a receiver as well as the explosive physicality with which the playmaker runs. It appears the Chiefs have added a complete back that should be the favorite to back up Walker. While Kareem Hunt remains a free agent, the Chiefs have yet to show clear interest in a reunion and haven't brought in any obvious competition.
It appears this will turn into a camp and preseason battle between Johnson and Brashard Smith for the secondary role. Considering how much Smith struggled in his rookie season, it would be a bit of a surprise to see Johnson not come out on top. This is due both to Smith's aforementioned struggles and the fact that Johnson appears to be a more complete back.
No question, Chiefs fans have several reasons to be excited about a draft class that could be one of the team's best in recent memory. Johnson is a big reason for this, giving the franchise a chance to find a valued contributor in the draft's later rounds.
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