The Kansas City Chiefs selected Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson with the 161st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after making a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs’ scouting department weighed in significantly on the decision to trade up for Johnson during their post-draft press conference.
“We knew Emmett (Johnson) was a great player, and we couldn’t believe that he kind of fell to where he did,” said Co-Director of College Scouting David Hinson. “So, we felt like the value to go up and get him was there, so that’s why we moved up. Any good player we’ll do that, but to have Emmett there, we saw a great opportunity, so we moved up.”
During his college career, Johnson earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and Academic All-Big Ten from 2023 to 2025. The Chiefs were sorting through potential running back options before pursuing the Nebraska standout.
“There was definitely that clump (of running backs) to begin the fourth round, and you didn’t know if the round would start early, and it didn’t, it kind of waited,” said Senior College Scouting Executive Terry Delp, “And so, they all just kept falling, and it’s to our advantage.”
A true representation of the Nebraska Way.
The @Chiefs got a great one!! pic.twitter.com/qEBi4KoH6f
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) April 26, 2026
Johnson joins a reloaded running back room that made headlines with the free agent signing of Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III. There will be a battle in camps to stand out, but the former Cornhuskers star has an opportunity to compete.
“Yeah, Emmett Johnson, phenomenal football player, even better human being. I think the thing that excited me the most about him was his humility,” said College and Pro Scout Jalen Myrick, “This was a Minnesota high school player of the year, and severely underrecruited. Nebraska was his only FBS offer. Got there and, you know, immediately had to wait. He told me (there were) 475 days between high school and his 1st collegiate carry. (He’s) a guy that is just relentless with his approach, and you know, once he got his opportunity, we saw what he did with it.”
In four seasons at Nebraska, Johnson appeared in 41 games, tallying 2,460 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 458 attempts. He also had 92 receptions for 702 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs Scouts reveal thoughts on 5th round selection RB Emmett Johnson