The Chiefs selected Johnson in the fifth round of the NFL Draft from Nebraska, and he will compete for a backup role behind Kenneth Walker III this season. If Johnson is No. 2 on the depth chart in Kansas City, then he'll be worth a late-round flier in redraft leagues. He's worth a second-round pick in rookie-only drafts for Dynasty leagues. Johnson will compete with Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado for the backup role behind Walker, and Johnson makes the most sense as the handcuff option for the Chiefs. In 2025 at Nebraska, Johnson had 251 carries for 1,451 yards, 12 touchdowns and 46 catches for 370 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games. Johnson likely won't do much as long as Walker is healthy, but he does have Fantasy value if he's second on the depth chart. Keep an eye on what happens in training camp, and Johnson could be a quality stash candidate if he's ahead of Smith and Demarcado to open the year.
Fantasy News
Chiefs' Emmett Johnson: Rushing TD in preseason loss
Rotowire
Johnson rushed seven times for 25 yards and a touchdown and brought in one of two targets for 10 yards in the Chiefs' 16-15 preseason loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday. He also returned two kickoffs for 51 yards.
The rookie fifth-round pick was the third Chiefs running back to get a touch behind veterans Kenneth Walker and Emari Demercado. The highlight of Johnson's night came late in the third quarter, when he recorded a one-yard touchdown run after getting the ball to the Buccaneers' three-yard line two plays earlier with a four-yard rush. Johnson was outgained on the ground by his primary competition for a depth role behind Walker and Demercado -- Brashard Smith, who had 37 rushing yards. Both hopefuls are likely to see extended playing time again in Friday's home preseason finale against the Seahawks.
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Chiefs' Emmett Johnson: Logs 69 yards in preseason loss
Rotowire
Johnson turned 12 carries into 59 yards and caught all three of his targets for 10 yards during the Chiefs' 20-12 loss to the Rams in Saturday's preseason game.
Johnson led all running backs in both carries and rushing yards and finished second in receiving yards at the position behind Brashard Smith (12). Following Saturday's game, Johnson drew praise from head coach Andy Reid, who noted the rookie fifth-rounder "ran hard and aggressively... he's one of the positives coming out of this," per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com. Johnson is currently listed as the Chiefs' RB3 ahead of Smith and behind Kenneth Walker and Emari Demercado, but more performances like Saturday's could push Johnson ahead of Demercado for the No. 2 role by the start of the regular season. The Chiefs' next preseason game takes place Saturday, Aug. 22 against the Buccaneers.
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Chiefs' Emmett Johnson: Draws LeSean McCoy comp from Reid
Rotowire
Johnson is competing with Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado for slotting on Kansas City's running back depth chart behind Kenneth Walker, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.
The Chiefs almost completely remade their backfield compared to last season, letting Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco walk while retaining the 2025 seventh-round pick Smith, and signing Walker and Demercado before drafting Johnson in the fifth round. Kansas City also signed undrafted free agents Jaydn Ott and EJ Smith. Demercado and Brashard Smith both seem best suited for change-of-pace roles on passing downs, so Johnson could have a clear lane to getting the second-most carries behind Walker. Head coach Andy Reid compared Johnson's skill set to that of former NFL running back LeSean McCoy, who exceeded 1,000 regular-season rushing yards on six occasions.
