All-American running back draft prospect on Jaguars' radar

Continuing to add to the running back position in the 2026 NFL draft seems to be on the Jacksonville Jaguars' radar.

According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Jaguars were among the teams to visit with Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson. Wilson didn't specify what kind of visit, but chances are it was a virtual meeting, since GM James Gladstone does not do official visits.

Jaguars' 2026 NFL draft prospect to watch: RB Emmett Johnson

Johnson put together a huge 2025 season, rushing for 1,451 yards at a hefty 5.8 yards per attempt with 12 touchdowns. Johnson was also quite active in the passing game, totaling 54 targets, 370 receiving yards, and three more touchdowns. This well-rounded skill set at the running back position is an important quality to possess in Liam Coen's offense.

Johnson is the 105th-ranked prospect on the consensus big board, making him a potential Day 2 pick, where the Jaguars have four selections. He was an AP second-team All-American in 2025.

Emmett Johnson's athletic profile

Emmett Johnson is a RB prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 5.55 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1010 out of 2268 RB from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/ePaWNyYtDQpic.twitter.com/I8AXqZC2Bh

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 2, 2026

Emmett Johnson highlights

Emmett Johnson's draft profile

For more on Johnson, here is what the NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft scouting report:

"Johnson is a hard-charging, gap-scheme runner. He brings a steady dose of urgency, decisiveness and fairly predictable run tracks. Johnson’s production and game-by-game consistency stand out despite average size and top-end speed. He steps on the accelerator once he touches the ball, but the run becomes segmented when he attempts to cut laterally. He struggles to create for himself when the point of entry is cloudy. Johnson can beat linebackers to the run fit but won’t usually run through them with power. He’s able to help as a pass-catcher and projects as a solid backup best suited for downhill concepts."

What is the Jaguars' need at running back?

The Jaguars could be content with the current construction of their room. There are five running backs under contract, giving them depth on the training camp roster. Chris Rodriguez and Bhayshul Tuten could share the workload out of the backfield in-season, while LeQuint Allen continues to see snaps during more obvious passing downs. That said, with 11 draft picks, Jacksonville does have the flexibility to continue adding here, while still addressing more high-priority needs.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson has Jaguars' attention