Why Emmett Johnson isn't getting drafted as Nebraska RB slides in 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Some people had Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson ranked as the No. 2 RB in the 2026 NFL Draft class.

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This is a weird one. There's no obvious explanation beyond maybe his NFL Combine production.

There haven't been a ton of RBs chosen, but enough have gone off the board that Johnson definitely should've been taken by now.

Johnson led the Big Ten in rushing in 2025 with 1,451 yards (5.8 yards per carry), and he had 12 touchdowns.

He also is a good receiver, with 46 catches for 370 yards and three more TDs.

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But he's due to get taken sooner rather than later.

Sometimes, RBs don't need perfect top-end speed to be useful. Johnson seems like one of those guys.

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