Emmett Johnson Dynasty Value: From Overlooked to NFL-Ready

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Johnson’s dynasty value took a massive leap after a breakout 2025 that showcased both volume and versatility.

He spent two seasons in a timeshare, then emerged as one of college football’s most productive RBs and most impactful backfield receivers. That combo of workload tolerance and modern usage makes it easy to see Johnson thriving in the pros.

Let’s dig into Johnson’s complete profile to determine his dynasty value.

Emmett Johnson Dynasty Values

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Emmett Johnson Draft Profile

Emmett Johnson Combine Results

‘I've Been Overlooked My Whole Life’

Johnson left high school after a monster senior season: 2,500 yards and 42 TDs. Even so, his recruitment leaned heavily toward the FCS level. 

Nebraska offered the lone Power Five scholarship, and the Minneapolis native took it.

"I've been overlooked my whole life," Johnson said in 2025, via CBS Sports. "I just use it as fuel every day in practice.”

Nebraska didn’t see instant returns. Johnson redshirted in 2022 and then slowly earned touches from there.

Johnson Starts at No. 2 But Doesn’t Stay There

Johnson began 2023 behind senior RB Anthony Grant. That changed on Oct. 21 against Northwestern, when Johnson led the team with 12 carries for 73 yards and a TD.

Grant recorded his third fumble of the season just one week prior, which likely influenced the demotion. Regardless, Johnson led in carries each week down the stretch, tallying 4.6 yards per carry over his final six games (79 attempts). 

His 7 receptions showed a limited passing-game role. Context matters, though. Nebraska ranked 94th nationally in pass attempts per game (18.0) and started three different QBs.

So, Johnson returned in 2024 with some momentum. But could the offense support a meaningful step forward? 

A New Challenger Emerges

Fresh competition arrived in 2024 when sophomore Dante Dowdell transferred from Oregon. At 6’2, 227 pounds, Dowdell topped Johnson in carries (143 to 117) and TDs (12 to 1). 

Still, Johnson’s season wasn’t a total loss. He caught 39 passes, ranking third on the team and marking the most receptions by a Nebraska RB since 2007.

The late-season trend also favored Johnson. Over the final four games, he handled 59 carries for 314 yards (5.3 YPC) and added 23 receptions, despite Nebraska once again deploying a low-volume passing game.

Johnson returned the following season … but not without weighing his options.

Nebraska OC: ‘I Kinda Need You’

Johnson entered the transfer portal in December 2024. Eventually, Nebraska OC Dana Holgorsen convinced him to return.

"Look … I just committed to sign on here for the next couple of years. I kinda need you," Holgorsen told Johnson, via CBS. "You're one of the guys I feel like can turn this place around.” 

Holgorsen referenced Johnson’s late-season run from 2024, which helped produce a bowl victory over Boston College.

“Everything just kept improving for him,” the coach said. “We started feeding him. This is a whole other Emmett this year."

That commitment showed up on the field in 2025. Nebraska featured Johnson in all 12 games, giving him 15+ touches each week. He finished fourth nationally in rushing yards (1,451) and ranked first among RBs in receptions (46).

Only One Hiccup in Johnson’s Efficiency

Johnson’s efficiency profile looks mostly clean. Among 27 RBs with 200-plus carries, he ranked:

• seventh in yards per carry
• 11th in Pro Football Focus rushing grade
• and 14th in PFF elusive rating. 

He also averaged 8.0 yards per catch and tied for the RB lead nationally in forced missed tackles, per PFF.

The one red flag is yards after contact per attempt, where Johnson slotted dead last in the same 27-RB sample. That’s consistent with a runner built to win with quickness and change of direction, not raw power.

Next, let’s hit the film to see whether or not that stylistic tradeoff hurts his fantasy ceiling …

Emmett Johnson Highlights

Games Watched: Indiana (2024), Ohio State (2024), Wisconsin (2024), Michigan (2025), Maryland (2025), Minnesota (2025), Northwestern (2025), USC (2025), Penn State (2025), Iowa (2025)

Johnson’s 2025 film shows an exciting player who is built for PPR success...

Elite Vision Creates Yards That Aren’t There

Johnson takes the outside handoff on this play and heads off tackle. He identifies the safety closing on the hole and anticipates an opening inside before it is created. Johnson uses an outside step and a spin move to bypass the entire second level of the defense.

He lowers his head and muscles out a few extra yards to finish the run.

Anticipating a hole before it opens requires excellent vision and trust in the offensive line. That vision shows up consistently on Johnson’s film. The toughness at the end of the run is also a plus.

Johnson Wastes No Steps

On this outside run, Johnson turns upfield cleanly without being touched. He takes the ideal outside angle, avoiding wasted movement while still outrunning the approaching defender.

Johnson does get caught at the end of the play and cannot outrun the pursuit, but he stays balanced long enough to dive into the end zone.

Receiving Skills Look Top Notch

Johnson runs a wheel route off play action here, taking a sharp angle to accelerate past the LB in coverage. Near the end of the route, he slows to secure the pass between two defenders.

He shows solid catch technique with his hands slightly extended, even though the ball hits his chest. That allows him to maintain possession through contact.

Johnson’s film shows one of the best pass-catching RBs in this draft, with sharp routes and strong technique.

YAC Ability Makes Him a Screen Game Weapon

Johnson shows excellent pass-catching and after-catch ability on this screen. He fakes stepping up in pass protection, then slips out behind his blockers. Johnson adjusts to a high pass, makes the catch, and reaches top speed quickly.

After the catch, he keeps his eyes downfield and anticipates when to change angles. He fakes inside as the safety approaches the sideline, creating space for a stiff arm to break a tackle. Johnson stays inbounds and accelerates into the end zone.

Emmett Johnson Team Fit: Dallas Cowboys

Javonte Williams became a bargain for Dallas on a one-year deal, finishing top-10 in carries (252), rushing yards (1,201), and TDs (11). 

Now he heads toward free agency. The Cowboys have opened contract talks, but there’s no guarantee they reach an agreement.

Even if Williams returns, there’s room for another skill set. Johnson would add juice in the passing game after Williams averaged just 3.9 yards per catch on 35 receptions.

We'll see how the team values second-year RB Jaydon Blue. But after arriving as a Round 5 pick, he managed only 39 touches in five games. Sixteen of those touches came in a Week 18 game played without Williams.

Johnson could slide into a passing-down/rotational role, with the potential to see more work in future seasons.

Dynasty Value Conclusion: Receiving Talent Separates Him From Peers

In a thin RB class, Johnson’s pass-catching ability gives him a clear edge. 

He has totaled a class-high 85 catches over the past two seasons. Plus, his 2025 rushing workload proved he can handle volume when asked. 

Johnson probably won’t become an NFL workhorse at about 200 pounds. Still, a diverse skill set gives him multiple paths to fantasy relevance, even without immediate feature-back usage.

Johnson sits fourth in our dynasty rookie RB rankings.

Get to Know the RB Ranked Just Ahead of Johnson

We recently profiled our current RB3 in this class, a well-built senior with nearly 3,900 career yards.

See why it's time for you to get excited about Jonah Coleman's dynasty value.

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Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15+ years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). He finished 1st in FantasyPros Draft Accuracy competition in 2024. Kevin's work has been featured in The Mercury News, NBC Sports/Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.