Andy Reid raves about Nebraska rookie running back Emmett Johnson

Former Nebraska football running back Emmett Johnson should have gone earlier in the NFL draft than he did, especially after leading the Big Ten in rushing yards.

It was clear he could be a day-two pick, at least in the eyes of Nebraska fans who watched him run wild all season. Regardless, Johnson found a great home with the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round.

Andy Reid has done well with running backs like Johnson, who are talented receivers as well as running backs. Johnson caught 92 passes during his Nebraska football career for 706 yards and five touchdowns.

It will be fun to watch what he can do with Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball. As far as Reid, it was clear that he likes Johnson based on his recent comments about the Nebraska rookie running back.

Andy Reid compares Emmett Johnson to LeSean McCoy

“First of all, he’s got a good feel for things, a smart kid, good kid. He’s got that lateral quickness. We had LeSean McCoy here for a bit, and he has a little bit of that to him, where he can shift gears and still get himself up the field quickly,” Reid said, per the team’s transcript (via NFL.com). “I like the way he pass protects, I like the way he catches the football, and it looks like he can do that here.

“We’re not doing live stuff, but the catching part he does easy. Probably most of all I just like his smarts. He’s going to help on special teams, too. (special teams coordinator) Dave (Toub) has him in that up-back position on the punt team and (he’s) able to make all the calls and get guys going in the right direction.”

I mentioned McCoy when Johnson was drafted. Emmett doesn’t have the same college pedigree, but he’s elite at making people miss. The top-end speed could be better. That’s probably another reason why he fell in the NFL draft, but Johnson’s loss will be the Chiefs’ gain.

They landed a steal and it feels like Reid already knows it.

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