A New Rookie on Vikings’ Radar — and It’s Bittersweet
At the NFL Combine, reports rolled in that the Minnesota Vikings had met with Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson, which caused glee among fans because Johnson is from the Twin Cities. A few hours later, the same guy ran a 4.56 forty-yard dash, which is pretty awful for a rookie tailback.
If Minnesota wants a cheaper backfield, Johnson fits as a draftable complement rather than a featured replacement.
Minnesota must decide if that 40-time is too slow — or to ignore it and onboard Johnson anyway.
Emmett Johnson’s Skill Set Could Fit Minnesota
Minnesota met with an intriguing halfback — who’s also slow by positional standards.
Johnson Meets with MIN
The Vikings will inevitably meet with several running backs, but Johnson turned heads due to his roots. He went to Holy Angels in Richfield — the same high school as Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald — so hardcore Minnesota football fans already know him.
Vikes Verified tweeted over the weekend, “Can confirm that the Vikings have been in frequent contact with Emmett Johnson & his representation. After the departure of Aaron Jones, it makes more sense than ever to bring home the Minneapolis product.”
So, yes, Johnson is certifiably on Minnesota’s draft radar. It’s not a hot take.
Posts a 4.56 Forty
Soon after news of Johnson’s meeting with the Vikings went worldwide, he logged a 4.56 forty at The Combine. That isn’t totally heinous and won’t ruin his career, but it’s closer to tight end speed than an elite RB1’s.
Players with Johnson’s height, weight, and speed from the past include Ronald Jones II, Noah Herron, and Joseph Randle. If you don’t recognize those names, it’s because those tailbacks didn’t amount to much in the pros. Johnson will have to defy precedent.
Do note, though, that Aaron Jones ran a 4.56 forty once upon a time. Consider, as well, that Jones comes in at 5’10” and 208 pounds, meaning the pair possess similar builds and identical forty times.
He told NBC Sports about his meeting with the Vikings, “Hey, man, it would mean a lot. I grew up in the inner city. I lived about 10-15 minutes from U.S. Bank Stadium. I had a great formal meeting with them and Kevin O’Connell. I would love to go back home.”
When asked about this skill set, he didn’t hold back. “I’ll say a lot of different guys. Barry Sanders is one of them. I’ll go LaDainian Tomlinson, a little bit of Christian McCaffrey. In today’s day and age, my coach also coached him, so I feel like the receiving ability from him. And then a little bit of Walter Payton.”
Finally, Johnson is an Adrian Peterson enthusiast: “Y’all might not know, but if you go watch the tape. I grew up a Vikings fan. Just how downhill he was. I feel like if you watch my tape, I finish a lot of my runs moving forward. I feel like the violent part came from AP.”
The Draft Stock
For now — we shall see how the 4.56 speed affects it — Johnson is slated as a 3rd-Round pick and the third-best running back in April’s class behind Notre Dame runners Jeremyiah Love and Jadarian Price.
It just happens that Minnesota will have two 3rd-Rounders this time, one from their organic collection and the infamous pick it will grab for Sam Darnold’s 2025 free-agent exit.
Should the Vikings not be concerned about Johnson’s speed, they can probably draft him in Round 3 and call it good. They’re at least somewhat interested; teams don’t meet with every running back at The Combine.
Johnson’s Scouting Report
Johnson is 5’10” and 200 pounds. He’s a compact dude by a tailback’s standards. The Cornhusker banked 1,824 yards from scrimmage in 2025, complete with 15 touchdowns. He has the volume gene.
NFL.com‘s Lance Zierlein on Johnson: “Johnson is a hard-charging, gap-scheme runner. He brings a steady dose of urgency, decisiveness and fairly predictable run tracks. Johnson’s production and game-by-game consistency stand out despite average size and top-end speed.”
“He steps on the accelerator once he touches the ball, but the run becomes segmented when he attempts to cut laterally. He struggles to create for himself when the point of entry is cloudy. Johnson can beat linebackers to the run fit but won’t usually run through them with power. He’s able to help as a pass-catcher and projects as a solid backup best suited for downhill concepts.”
Bleacher Report‘s Damian Parson compared him to James Cook, and explained, “Johnson is a creative runner with run discipline to stay on the design run path for positive yards. He is a dangerous back because he will take what the offensive line blocks/creates, but has the elusiveness and electric footwork to create for himself. He possesses a twitchy lower half and will string together cuts to jump cut outside the tackle box into the open field.”
Johnson will turn 23 in October.
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