Rookie RB Emmett Johnson Emerging as Receiving Threat for Chiefs
News
The short version
- Vikings passed on Johnson six times before Chiefs took him in round five of the 2026 draft
- Johnson has 10 carries for 39 yards and 4 catches for 64 yards through two games
- He shares the Chiefs backfield with Kenneth Walker
- His first NFL catch went for 25 yards against Denver, evading two tacklers
- In Week 2 he beat three Colts defenders, including former Vikings safety Cam Bynum
The Minnesota native, passed over six times by the Vikings in the 2026 draft, is making tacklers miss in Kansas City's backfield.
Emmett Johnson hoped his home-state team would call his name during the 2026 NFL Draft. The Vikings instead let six selections go by without taking him, and the Kansas City Chiefs grabbed the running back in round five.
Through two games, Johnson has only 10 rushing attempts for 39 yards, but his work as a pass catcher has stood out. He has four receptions for 64 yards while splitting backfield duties with Kenneth Walker.
His first career grab, a checkdown from Patrick Mahomes against Denver, went for 25 yards after he evaded a pair of defenders before being brought down near the goal line. He added a 19-yard reception later in that game with three more broken tackles.
In Week 2 versus Indianapolis, Johnson took a catch out of the backfield and outran three defenders in the open field, among them ex-Vikings safety Cam Bynum.
Written by the Matchday Live desk from reporting by Yahoo Sports.
Read the original report at Yahoo Sports ↗