Is Johnson basically another Najee?

[TimmayLake]

The size/speed comps are almost identical, but Johnson was at least a 3rd round pick instead of a 1st. I can live with it. But I can't help but think Tomlin and co wanted another Najee clone for some stupid reason.

[SteelPro]

If his vision and instincts are better then the size and speed are fine. He can be productive.

[tbsteel]

Completely different runners. Night and day.

Johnson has quick, light feet, and is sort of a finesse runner who glides. He can get small in the hole to limit the target area and has natural vision and instincts. He can put his head down and has good leg drive, but he's not a bulldozer like Najee was.

Najee is a heavy-footed plodder who takes long, deliberate jump cuts and has never seen a juke he didn't want to try. He's not a natural RB and doesn't have any of the instinctual decision making and vision that most other pro RBs have. As such, it led to a lot of hesitancy and dancing in the backfield. And despite what he may have been in high school or in college, as a natural runner on Sundays, he didn't have speed to be a threat outside of tackle or separate from LBs, which limited what this offense could be for four straight years. Today, he remains one of the most overrated Steelers of all-time, even eclipsing Pouncey, who at least at his peak early in his career was a great player.

It remains to be seen with Johnson how successful he'll be, but give me that style of RB over Najee 10 times out of 10.

I actually think he's going to be solid as a pass catcher as well. He's got natural hands and can naturally catch the ball away from his body.

Most people just don't realize how truly awful that Iowa passing offense is, especially this year. I mean, Johnson had just as many catches this past year than George Kittle did in any year he had at Iowa. They averaged 6.25 pass completions and 65 yards passing a half last season.

[bradshaw2ben]

I think it’s likely Johnson is much better… but as good as his vision is, you still have to be able to get out of your stance and get blocking and get through the hole. Let’s see if he can get those three things happening.

I thought the Derrick Henry but for Outside zone comparison was a good one… and like Henry, needs blocking—not going to manufacture his own wins if he can’t get going because of defenders getting penetration.

[jebrick]

I think it’s likely Johnson is much better… but as good as his vision is, you still have to be able to get out of your stance and get blocking and get through the hole. Let’s see if he can get those three things happening.

I thought the Derrick Henry but for Outside zone comparison was a good one… and like Henry, needs blocking—not going to manufacture his own wins if he can’t get going because of defenders getting penetration.

He is a RB that has done very well in zone blocking schemes, unlike Najee who does well in power gap scheme. IMHO, Najee's poor vision is what he is better at the power gap and Johnson's much better vision will help in the zone blocking.

Again, stunning that the Steelers are drafting players to fit the scheme they want to run. It has been a while.

[Charles Demarr]

No.

Don't be fooled by his 40 time. Next Gen clocked him at 22 MPH twice last year.

This is a huge upgrade in my opinion.

[Mick]

No.

Don't be fooled by his 40 time. Next Gen clocked him at 22 MPH twice last year.

This is a huge upgrade in my opinion.

if your 40 time is bad but your top speed is good, that means your acceleration is bad. Not an amazing selling point for an RB.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

not necessarily as its usually not a straight line up to 22 mph

[bradshaw2ben]

No.

Don't be fooled by his 40 time. Next Gen clocked him at 22 MPH twice last year.

This is a huge upgrade in my opinion.

It's a low bar but yes, for sure.

[Steelperch]

Similarities: size, speed, durability, ball security

Difference: vision and processing Johnson is better.

Johnson likely will be a volume back like Najee, not a home run hitter, but he’s got superior vision which is all we ever wanted out of Najee. Johnson is like the best version of Najee we got the last few years.

[steelclan]

No.

Don't be fooled by his 40 time. Next Gen clocked him at 22 MPH twice last year.

This is a huge upgrade in my opinion.

if your 40 time is bad but your top speed is good, that means your acceleration is bad. Not an amazing selling point for an RB.

Derrick Henry has likely one of the worst if not the worst accelerations in the NFL. He needs runway to get going.

Yet he has overcome it and become a likely HOFer.

Of course, Johnson is nowhere near that, however, he fits outside zone and that is exactly what the Steelers deploy. It will give Johnson a chance to get up to speed before hitting a hole. It will also give him a chance to utilize his excellent vision.

Rapid acceleration is not always great. Lev Bell didn't have it either. Patience especially in zone scheme is much more important. Johnson from few games I've watched is very patient & even when the hole isn't obvious can get skinny/get through gap in a way Najee never could.

No guarantee he will be a success, never is in the NFL draft but after scrutinizing him more I am far happier than I originally was.

Lastly 4.58 is not bad for an RB. Johnson isn't running post routes. His ten-yard split is more of a concern but as noted can be mitigated by scheme PS use.