Steelers' Kaleb Johnson Hyped by NFL Fans as Fantasy Football Sleeper vs. Panthers

The Pittsburgh Steelers backfield has the attention of fantasy football players.

Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson generated more fantasy intrigue during the Steelers' preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers.

Johnson averaged 4.8 yards per carry in the first half. He had the most touches between himself, Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren in the opening two quarters.

The third-round pick is coming off a 1,500-yard season at Iowa in which he also averaged 8.5 yards per reception.

The Steelers will go into the regular season with Warren as their No. 1 running back, but Johnson has the potential to quickly rise up the depth chart.

Kenneth Gainwell has never been an overly-productive backup in his NFL career. Johnson can take over the responsibilities Gainwell was signed for early on in the regular season if he flashes the receiving skills he displayed in his last season at Iowa.

Johnson is only worth a late-round fantasy draft pick right now because of the unknowns in Pittsburgh's offense, but if he lives up to the potential he displayed in preseason, he could be a late-round steal, or one of the top waiver-wire pickups of the 2025 season.