NFL Insider discusses Chiefs' early interest in RB Emmett Johnson

During a recent episode of his podcast, NFL Insider James Palmer revealed details on Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach keeping an eye on running back Emmett Johnson since last December. "Around December was when (Brett) Veach was picking specific position groups for the scouts to start looking at, you know, sometimes it's DB, sometimes it's, hey, let's take an extra look at this group, running back was obviously one that he said, let's take an extra, extra look at this group," said Palmer, "and there was a group of them that started going, this Emmett Johnson kid, like it's, and that was in December. They started feeling a little bit in terms of where it was at, and then they didn't think he'd fall to where he was, so they traded up and got him.

" #Chiefs GM Brett Veach and the scouting department were on RB Emmett Johnson in December 👀 “This Emmett Johnson kid, that was in December that they started feeling it a little bit — they didn’t think he’d fall to where he was so they trade up and get him” Via @JamesPalmerTV pic. twitter. com/PDzik8Ez1m — SleeperChiefs (@SleeperChiefsKC) May 19, 2026 Following a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chiefs selected the Nebraska running back with the 161st pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

The versatile running back is considered a late-round steal in this year's draft class and was featured in the annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere event. In 2025, Johnson was named Second-team Associated Press All-American, Big Ten Conference running back of the Year, and first-team All-Big Ten. He led FBS with 151.

8 all-purpose yards per game, ranking fourth with 1,451 rushing yards, averaging 5. 8 yards per carry. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: NFL Insider discusses Chiefs' early interest in RB Emmett Johnson