The Kansas City Chiefs are betting a lot on their 2026 NFL Draft class.
Many of them will play significant roles right away, and the Chiefs will try to develop them into cornerstone pieces of their roster for the future.
Kansas City selected defensive players with each of its first four picks, then addressed the offense with the last three. Two of the later were taken in the fifth round — running back Emmett Johnson and wide receiver Cyrus Allen — who both could be among the best values of the draft.
Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce Among Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Stars Who Have Already Reached out to Emmett Johnson
GettyRB Emmett Johnson
Not many expected the Chiefs to take a running back after acquiring Kenneth Walker III and Emari Demercado in free agency. However, general manager Brett Veach and his team were surprised Johnson was still available at No. 161 overall, and couldn’t pass him up.
While speaking to Hurrdat Sports earlier this week, Johnson revealed that many of Kansas City’s top offensive stars, including Mahomes and Kelce, have already reached out to him.
“He was the first person to text me after I got selected,” Johnson said of Mahomes. “He was like, ‘Let’s get it, bro,’ and gave me his number. We’ve been in touch. Kelce was really pumped up too. It took him a couple days, but he text me and was like, ‘Man, I’ve been out here for a while, if you need something just let me know.’ It was really welcoming to have those two, Rashee Rice, (Xavier) Worthy, all them just text me.”
While it was certainly exciting for Johnson to hear from all the Chiefs’ top playmakers, he avoided being too starstruck and made sure to let them know that he’s ready to contribute.
“It’s credit to how they do things there in Kansas City,” Johnson continued. “I feel like it’s a big brotherhood. To hear from them, it meant a lot to me. It was really welcoming. I told them I’m excited to be here, but I’m ready to get to work. I think Kelce was like ‘Let’s [expletive] do it!’ I’m excited to get to work with them boys. Legendary offense, legendary program.”
Can Emmett Johnson be Chiefs’ RB2 in 2026?
Walker will be the man in Kansas City’s backfield for the next few years, but the Chiefs will need someone they can depend on to relieve him at times. Johnson’s main competition will be Demercado and Brashard Smith, but undrafted free agents Terion Stewart E.J. Smith, and Jaydyn Ott will also be in the mix.
Demercado will have a leg up early on since he has the most experience and success in the NFL. A three-year veteran, Demercado has an impressive 6.5 yards per carry career average. Smith got some experience as a rookie last season in a limited role, but is still relatively new to the RB position after playing much of his collegiate career as a wide receiver.
One advantage Johnson could have is that he proved to be a workhorse back during his final year at Nebraska in 2025, recording 1,451 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 251 carries. He also added 370 receiving yards and three TDs on 46 receptions. Even if Johnson isn’t the Chiefs’ No. 2 in 2026, he’ll have a chance to be in the years following.
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