Nebraska RB Says Vikings’ Interest is Legit

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
Emmett Johnson
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

We are exactly one week from the 2026 NFL Draft and all has been mostly quiet on the Minnesota Vikings front, since they inked Kyler Murray early in free agency. That isn’t unexpected, and has largely been the theme across the league.

When April 23 comes around, the MN Vikings are scheduled to be on the clock at No. 18 overall. Because there are so many different ways they could go, the entire league will be watching to see how Rob Brzezinski and Kevin O’Connell maneuver through their first draft in charge.

With that being said, there are certain spots on the depth chart that the Vikings seem more interested in during the first two days of the draft than others. And one of the positions they seem most determined to improve is running back.

Throughout the seven rounds of next weekend’s draft, the Minnesota Vikings will have numerous opportunities to draft a back who could help the team win sooner than later.

Emmett Johnson confident MN Vikings interest is legit

And one ball carrier they’ve shown a heavy amount of interest in is Minneapolis’ own Emmett Johnson, out of Nebraska. Projected by most as a day two pick, Johnson recently completed his pre-draft visit with the Vikings.

However, because Johnson is from the state of Minnesota, the Vikings were able to bring him in for a “top 30” visit, without actually counting against the total number of visitors allowed by league rules.

Thus, it is difficult to grasp how noteworthy any hometown pre-draft visit really is. With that being said, Emmett sat down with former Viking Ben Leber on Twin Cities Live recently where he revealed that, at least in his eyes, Minnesota’s interest in him is very much real.

“I don’t really have a percentage, I just know that they’re definitely interested. I’m a hometown kid. It would be a great storyline. Not going here to college, but then coming back home. I told them, I said if y’all take a chance on me, it’s gonna 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.”

Emmett Johnson – Twin Cities Live

Latest Vikings News: Local Insider Floats DeAndre Hopkins Back onto MN Vikings Radar

It would be a full circle moment for Johnson to play professionally in his home state. Johnson, who was never a priority recruit for his hometown Gophers, was originally a high school superstar at Holy Angels, before he eventually committed to Nebraska.

Last season with the Cornhuskers, Johnson led the Big Ten with 251 rushing attempts and 1,451 yards. He also ran for 12 touchdowns and proved quite the duel threat through the air, hauling in 46 passes for 370 yards and three more TDs.

Why is Johnson dropping to day two of NFL Draft?

Johnson’s biggest knock during the draft process was his 4.56 second 40-yard dash, which is well below other top running backs expected to be taken before and around him and dead last of all ten running back to run the 40 at the combine.

  1. Mike Washington Jr (Arkansas) – 4.33 seconds
  2. Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) – 4.36
  3. Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest) – 4.37
  4. Jam Miller (Alabama) – 4.42
  5. Eli Heidenreich (Navy) – 4.44
  6. Seth McGowan (Kentucky) – 4.49
  7. Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) – 4.49
  8. Adam Randall (Clemson) – 4.50
  9. Robert Henry Jr. (TX-SA) – 4.52
  10. Emmett Johnson (Nebraska) – 4.56

However, the Minnesota Vikings have been suggesting recently that they plan to lean more into a player’s college production, than future projections and untapped talent. If that is indeed the case, the local kid might be a perfect fit.

Short of drafting Jeremiyah Love in the top ten, there isn’t another running back that is a lock to be taken in the first round. Fortunately for the Minnesota Vikings, they have four selections within the top 100.

Neither Jordan Mason or Aaron Jones are under contract beyond this season. The Vikings need a reset at the position, and they haven’t invested in the backfield for quite some time.

Mentioned in this article:

More About:

0What do you think?Post a comment.

Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.