Emmett Johnson might not have set the NFL Combine ablaze with his performance, but he's still turning heads in all the right ways. Maurice Jones-Drew, the former NFL standout, seems particularly impressed by Johnson’s final season with Nebraska. So much so, that in his latest mock draft on NFL.com, Jones-Drew ranks Johnson higher than most analysts.
Jones-Drew's approach to the mock draft is a bit unconventional. Instead of predicting which player will land with which team, he categorizes and ranks running backs based on their potential impact at the next level.
For Emmett Johnson, this is a big deal. Jones-Drew places him in elite company, labeling him as one of only two "day one starters" among running backs. Johnson, who made a splash in his final college season, is ranked as the No. 2 back, right alongside Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, both seen as ready to start in the NFL from the get-go.
Jones-Drew is clearly a fan. "I love Johnson's game," he shares. Despite a less-than-stellar 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the Combine and just one standout season at Nebraska-where he racked up 251 carries, 1,451 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 2025-Johnson’s versatility is what makes him a hot prospect.
His skills as a runner are notable, with exceptional vision and quickness in tight spaces, paired with a contact balance that keeps defenders at bay. As a receiver, Johnson is agile with natural hands, suggesting he could be a significant asset in the passing game.
For NFL teams looking for immediate impact, Johnson's blend of skills is a tantalizing prospect.