Draft Prospect Threatens Vikings
For the first time in years, the Minnesota Vikings have enough draft picks to address most roster needs. In recent episodes, they only made a handful of selections and the results match that.
One of those needs could be the running back position. Both Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason enter contract years and they aren’t getting younger (or faster) either. That’s where Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson enters the conversation. The Twin Cities native could be on Minnesota’s wishlist and he just revealed on Twin Cities Live what he told the decision-makers.
Johnson said this week, “I told them I said if y’all take a chance on me, it’s gonna be the best thing that they ever did. But if y’all don’t, you gotta see me for 10 years. That’s kinda how I feel, to be honest.”
“They’re definitely interested,” Johnson added, “I’m a hometown kid.”
The Vikings just lost hometown kid and franchise staple C.J. Ham to retirement. Adam Thielen’s return didn’t go as planned, as he departed to chase the playoffs elsewhere.
Johnson could step into their footsteps and join Eden Prairie’s Blake Cashman on the roster.
While chatting with NBC Sports at the Scouting Combine, Johnson commented on the chance of playing for 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.”
Johnson, 22, attended Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, MN, where he dominated as a senior, rushing for nearly 2,500 yards and 42 touchdowns en route to earning Minnesota Mr. Football honors. The Golden Gophers didn’t offer him a scholarship, so he headed to Nebraska.
The back had a redshirt year in 2022, followed by a couple of seasons with 400 and 600 rushing yards, respectively. His breakout campaign followed in 2025, as he rushed for 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns, as well as 370 yards and three scores as a pass-catcher.
Johnson initially disappointed with a 4.56 40-time at the combine, but he has since upgraded that number at his pro day, running a time said to be in the 4.4s.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic wrote in his The Beast draft preview: “Johnson is quick and balanced between the tackles to stack cuts, and his pass-catching savvy will be an asset at the next level, ideally for a zone scheme. He is an intriguing change-of-pace back who will bring versatility to an NFL backfield.”
After the 2025 season with subpar passing results, the Vikings might have realized that a strong running attack is the best insurance against that. Jones has been solid ever since arriving in 2024, but injuries have slowed him down in recent years and he’s 31. Mason also showed his burst last year, but he’ll turn 27 next month and is set to become a free agent next offseason. Planning for the future is key and adding a guy like Johnson makes sense.
Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) commented on Johnson’s strengths, “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.”
Johnson is mostly viewed as a third- or fourth-round pick. The Vikings don’t have any selections in the fourth, but are scheduled to draft twice in the third.
He fills a long-term need, was highly productive in a strong conference and could be the next hometown hero. Johnson’s addition would be far from shocking.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.