One guy I've been selecting late in drafts is Kansas City rookie running back Emmett Johnson. He was in a battle for the backup spot to Kenneth Walker, and it's looking like he'll be the guy.
It's not official. He's just a fifth-round pick, and Kansas City had free-agent signing Emari Demercado (from Arizona) and their own seventh-rounder a year ago (Brashard Smith) on the roster. But Johnson has played well in the preseason, and usage in the last exhibition makes it look like they're going with him as the preferred No. 2.
Kansas City held out rehabbing Patrick Mahomes and Walker last night, but all of their other offensive starters played. Johnson started and got the first five touches on the first two series: 4 carries for 24 yards, and a 14-yard reception. Showed some nice moves weaving through traffic after the reception, and had another catch and run called back for a holding penalty.
Demercado mixed in for a carry on the second series, Johnson again handled all the work on the third, and then Smith and Demercado split the work the rest of the first half (after Johnson came out of the game).
Johnson's final preseason numbers are 26 carries for 133 yards (4.7) with a touchdown, and 6 catches for 35 yards on 7 targets. I don't think it's a given he's the initial change-of-pace; maybe they'll go with Demercado, who had his moments in Arizona. But if Walker needs to miss time at some point, I think they'll give the rookie a shot as the main back.
Rookie success stories as fifth-round picks are rare. They tend to open down the depth chart, and need a year or two to surface. There have been 84 running backs drafted in the fifth round since 2000, and only nine have posted top 40 numbers in their rookie seasons. The 30 best fifth-round rookies (PPR scoring) are shown below.
| FIFTH-ROUND ROOKIE RUNNING BACKS, 2000- | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Att | Run | No | Rec | TD | Rk |
| 2016 | Jordan Howard, Chi. | 252 | 1313 | 29 | 298 | 7 | 10 |
| 2013 | Zac Stacy, St.L. | 250 | 973 | 26 | 141 | 8 | 21 |
| 2024 | Tyrone Tracy, NYG | 192 | 839 | 38 | 284 | 6 | 26 |
| 2022 | Tyler Allgeier, Atl. | 210 | 1035 | 16 | 139 | 4 | 30 |
| 2008 | Tim Hightower, Ari. | 143 | 399 | 34 | 237 | 10 | 32 |
| 2000 | Sammy Morris, Buff. | 93 | 341 | 37 | 268 | 6 | 32 |
| 2012 | Vick Ballard, Ind. | 211 | 814 | 17 | 152 | 3 | 33 |
| 2015 | Karlos Williams, Buff. | 93 | 517 | 11 | 96 | 9 | 38 |
| 2021 | Kenneth Gainwell, Phil. | 68 | 291 | 33 | 253 | 6 | 40 |
| 2007 | Kolby Smith, K.C. | 112 | 407 | 22 | 148 | 2 | 52 |
| 2000 | Chad Morton, N.O. | 36 | 136 | 30 | 213 | 0 | 55 |
| 2016 | DeAndre Washington, Oak. | 87 | 467 | 17 | 115 | 2 | 56 |
| 2018 | Jaylen Samuels, Pitt. | 56 | 256 | 26 | 199 | 3 | 58 |
| 2016 | Paul Perkins, NYG | 112 | 456 | 15 | 162 | 0 | 60 |
| 2011 | Jacquizz Rodgers, Atl. | 57 | 205 | 21 | 188 | 2 | 60 |
| 2023 | Chase Brown, Cin. | 44 | 179 | 14 | 156 | 1 | 63 |
| 2017 | Aaron Jones, G.B. | 81 | 448 | 9 | 22 | 4 | 63 |
| 2024 | Audric Estime, Den. | 76 | 310 | 5 | 27 | 2 | 68 |
| 2024 | Isaiah Davis, NYJ | 30 | 174 | 9 | 75 | 2 | 71 |
| 2018 | Jordan Wilkins, Ind. | 60 | 336 | 16 | 85 | 1 | 71 |
| 2019 | Ryquell Armstead, Jac. | 35 | 108 | 14 | 144 | 2 | 72 |
| 2016 | Wendell Smallwood, Phil. | 77 | 312 | 6 | 55 | 2 | 72 |
| 2013 | Joseph Randle, Dall. | 54 | 164 | 8 | 61 | 2 | 76 |
| 2012 | Chris Rainey, Pitt. | 26 | 102 | 14 | 60 | 2 | 80 |
| 2016 | Alex Collins, Sea. | 31 | 125 | 11 | 84 | 1 | 82 |
| 2000 | Michael Wiley, Dall. | 24 | 88 | 14 | 72 | 1 | 83 |
| 2015 | Jay Ajayi, Mia. | 49 | 187 | 7 | 90 | 1 | 85 |
| 2022 | Kyren Williams, LAR | 35 | 139 | 9 | 76 | 0 | 90 |
| 2025 | Jaydon Blue, Dall. | 38 | 129 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 92 |
| 2015 | Cameron Artis-Payne, Car. | 45 | 183 | 5 | 58 | 1 | 92 |
An encouraging sign for Johnson -- in dynasty leagues -- is several guys who didn't get much of a shot as rookies have gone on to have some success. Two of the better backs playing today, Kyren Williams and Chase Brown, most notably, but also Aaron Jones and Kenneth Gainwell. Several others on the list have had their moments or may yet (Tyler Allgeier, Tyrone Tracy, Jaydon Blue).
Most likely, Johnson's best-case scenario this year is a spot start or two if Walker gets hurt. But you never know. I'm glad to have him in dynasty, and interested in what he might do if he gets an opportunity.
--Andy Richardson
