NFL Rookie Report: Why Emmett Johnson could thrive with the Chiefs and Ohio State's NFC East takeover

With minicamps coming to a close, the NFL is entering one of the quietest stretches of the offseason. While there may be fewer headlines over the next several weeks, teams are continuing to evaluate their rosters and determine how their rookie classes fit into their plans for the upcoming season. Some first-year players are expected to be immediate contributors, while others could emerge as surprise impact players once training camp begins.

This week's Rookie Report begins in Kansas City, where fifth-round running back Emmett Johnson could carve out a significant role despite the Chiefs' blockbuster signing of Kenneth Walker III. We also take a look around the NFC East, where several highly drafted rookies—including three former Ohio State standouts selected within the first 11 picks—are expected to play key roles as rookies. Finally, we wrap up by examining why Minnesota Vikings sixth-round pick Demond Claiborne could become one of the biggest Day Three steals from the 2026 NFL Draft.

What type of role will Emmett Johnson have with the Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs made one of the biggest moves of the offseason when they signed former Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III to the largest running back contract in NFL history. The expectation is that Walker can finally end Kansas City's long-running drought without a 1,000-yard rusher, a streak that dates back to 2017. While Walker is expected to be the centerpiece of the backfield, he may not be the only running back making a significant impact this season.

Chiefs fifth-round pick Emmett Johnson enters the NFL following a breakout season at Nebraska, where he emerged as the focal point of the Cornhuskers' offense. Johnson rushed for 1,451 yards, the highest total by a Nebraska running back since Ameer Abdullah in 2014. He was equally productive as a receiver, leading the team with 46 receptions for 370 yards, the second-highest reception total by a running back in school history. His ability to contribute both on the ground and through the air helped him lead the nation with 151.8 scrimmage yards per game.

Johnson's production was backed by several NFL-caliber traits. His vision consistently allowed him to identify running lanes and maximize available yardage, while his contact balance helped him break 68 tackles during his final collegiate season. He also proved to be a dependable receiving option, dropping just one pass all year. Those skills should translate well to Kansas City's offense.

The biggest reason Johnson was available in the fifth round was his lack of top-end speed. At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash, the slowest time among running backs in attendance. That limitation also appeared on film. While Johnson was highly productive, he was not a consistent home-run threat, recording only 13 runs of more than 15 yards despite producing 36 runs of at least 10 yards, according to Pro Football Focus.

Even without elite speed, Johnson appears well-positioned to carve out a meaningful role in Kansas City's offense. A realistic comparison could be the role Zach Charbonnet played alongside Kenneth Walker III in Seattle. Over the past two seasons, Charbonnet handled more than 130 carries and surpassed 500 rushing yards each year while sharing the workload. Johnson possesses a similar all-around skill set and could thrive in a complementary role behind Walker. If he earns the coaching staff's trust, don't be surprised if he approaches 130 carries and 500 rushing yards as a rookie while also contributing as a receiver out of the backfield.

NFC East rookies to watch

Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs

The Cowboys landed one of the best values in the 2026 NFL Draft when Ohio State safety Caleb Downs fell to them with the 11th overall pick. Entering the draft, I had Downs ranked as the fifth-best player in the class and view him as a future All-Pro because of his complete skill set. Downs was dominant in every phase of the game at Ohio State, earning an 83.7 PFF run-defense grade and an 89.6 PFF coverage grade during his final season. His instincts, versatility, and playmaking ability should allow him to make an immediate impact, and he is expected to thrive as Dallas' nickel defender while giving the secondary another difference-maker.

New York Giants: Arvell Reese

One of my biggest evaluations heading into the 2025 college football season was identifying Fernando Mendoza as my top quarterback prospect and naming Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese to my preseason All-Underrated Team when he was still viewed by many as a Day Three prospect. Reese has since proven he belongs among the top linebackers from his class and could make an immediate impact for the Giants. Like fellow Ohio State product Caleb Downs, Reese brings an impressive all-around skill set, combining physicality, instincts, and range. He is a reliable tackler who missed just four tackles last season and has the speed to make plays from sideline to sideline. Paired with Tremaine Edmunds, Reese gives New York the potential to build a formidable linebacker duo for years to come.

""I ain't never seen a linebacker (Arvell Reese) do it like that just on first glance. Arvell's been amazing."

Giants DE Brian Burns

Philadelphia Eagles: Uar Bernard

One of the most intriguing rookies in the NFL is Philadelphia Eagles seventh-round pick Uar Bernard, who was born in Nigeria and developed through the International Player Pathway program. At 6-foot-4 and 306 pounds, Bernard possesses rare athletic traits for a defensive tackle, highlighted by an impressive 4.6-second 40-yard dash. While he remains a raw prospect, his combination of size, power, and explosiveness gives him significant developmental upside. If Bernard can translate those elite athletic tools to game action, the Eagles could have another International Player Pathway success story on their hands, much like Jordan Mailata, who developed from a long-term project into one of the NFL's premier offensive tackles.

Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles

Ohio State produced three defensive players who were selected within the first 11 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft, and each landed with an NFC East franchise. Another one of those players was Sonny Styles, whom the Washington Commanders selected with the seventh overall pick. Styles is a rare athlete, measuring 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds while posting a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and an outstanding 43.5-inch vertical jump during the pre-draft process. His production matched his athleticism, as he earned All-American honors and recorded 10.5 tackles for loss during the 2024 season. With his size, range, and versatility, Styles should make an immediate impact and help bolster a Washington defense that surrendered 27 points per game last season.

NFL rookie news and notes

• The Kansas City Chiefs have been impressed with second-round pick R. Mason Thomas, who has showcased impressive explosiveness and agility throughout offseason workouts. That should come as no surprise to anyone who followed his career at Oklahoma. Over the past two seasons, Thomas recorded 15.5 sacks and earned a stellar 90.4 PFF pass-rushing grade during his final season with the Sooners. His combination of athleticism and production gives him a legitimate chance to carve out an early role in Kansas City's defensive front.

• Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, I labeled Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne as the most underrated running back in the class. After being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round, he is already drawing praise from veteran teammate Aaron Jones, who said Claiborne reminds him of Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs. Claiborne's elite burst was on full display at the NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash. The biggest questions surrounding his game remain ball security and pass protection. Claiborne led the nation with five fumbles last season and will need to prove he can consistently hold up as a blocker to earn significant playing time as a rookie.

• A rookie wide receiver who may be forced into a significant role this season is New York Giants third-round pick Malachi Fields, whom the organization traded up to select in the draft. Fields could be counted on early in the year as there is uncertainty surrounding whether Malik Nabers will be fully healthy for the start of the season. Combined with questions about the reliability of Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III as starting options, Fields may be asked to contribute immediately alongside Darius Slayton. Fields possesses an intriguing blend of size and athleticism and excels in contested-catch situations, but his lack of production at Notre Dame remains a concern after catching just 36 passes last season. If the Giants' receiving corps is not at full strength, Fields could find himself playing a much larger role than initially expected.

• Speaking of Giants rookies, undrafted free agent kicker Dominic Zvada appears to have a legitimate chance to win the team's kicking job this season. The Giants have already moved on from Jason Sanders, while fellow rookie Ben Sauls has struggled during offseason practices, reportedly making just 19 of 36 field-goal attempts in open sessions. Meanwhile, Zvada has looked much more like the kicker who earned All-American honors in 2024, when he set a school record by converting 96% of his field-goal attempts and went a perfect 7-for-7 from beyond 50 yards. After a disappointing 2025 season at Michigan in which he connected on just 68% of his kicks, Zvada has bounced back impressively this offseason, making all 13 of his field-goal attempts during minicamp and positioning himself as the favorite to earn the Giants' kicking job.

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