The Minnesota Vikings have numerous needs to address in the 2026 NFL Draft, including running back.
Current running back Aaron Jones is 31 years old, and Jordan Mason is limited as a power back, making the need to find a young, explosive runner in the draft a big priority. Enter Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson, who confirmed on Twin Cities Live that Minnesota is very interested in him.
“They are definitely interested,” said Johnson. “I’m a hometown kid. It would be a great storyline. “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 yall don’t, you gotta see me for 10 years.’ That’s kinda how I feel to be honest.”
The Vikings Apparently Have a Very Strong Interest in Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson
Johnson grew up in the Twin Cities, and seems eager to make a return with the Vikings. Minnesota has met with Johnson multiple times already leading up to the draft, and it appears there is significant interest on both sides. But whether or not Minnesota can make the pick happen is another story.
The Vikings have plenty of draft capital in this year’s draft, including four selections in the top-100 picks. Johnson is currently projected as a mid-round pick, but after a great season with the Cornhuskers, likely has garnered plenty of other interest around the league. In 2025, he rushed for 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns and added 370 receiving yards and three touchdowns as well.
The Vikings are desperate for an injection of explosiveness into their run game, and Johnson, already a fan favorite, fits the bill. Jones was brought back on a cheaper deal, and has regressed in recent years. Meanwhile, Mason, who the Vikings traded for ahead of last season, is better suited as a complimentary back.
Johnson is a nice combination of both, and would provide some youth in the Vikings backfield.
Minnesota May Have Their Eyes on Another Running Back in the Draft
But as much as Johnson would love to come back home, Minnesota has had their eye on several other running backs in this draft as well. It’s been reported that they have done a ton of homework on Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne as well. ESPN’s Jordan Reid, while on The Alec Lewis Show, said he’s one of their top prospects at running back.
“[Claiborne’s] somebody that I’ve heard they like quite a bit. Crazy enough, my comp for him is Aaron Jones, so it makes sense,” he said.
Claiborne would be another mid-round pick, so the Vikings would have to make their pick of the two around the same time. It’s also possible that Minnesota could address the position much higher or lower in the draft, leaving both players left out in the cold.
While who the Vikings may take is still up in the air, there’s no doubt that Minnesota will be taking a running back in this year’s draft. Johnson’s warning may lead the Vikings bring the hometown kid back to Minnesota, or risk the consequences.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Dynamic Running Back Reveals The Vikings ‘Are Definitely Interested’ In Him appeared first on Heavy Sports.