As the 2026 NFL Draft inches closer by the day, interest, visits, and rumors will hint at the direction teams will go in late April. For the Baltimore Ravens, you can never buy too far into these nuggets of information; they keep this stuff close to heart, but it could signal the positions that they’re interested in.
The Ravens will need a bit of an offensive overhaul in this year’s draft. They lost a little and gained only a little on that side in free agency. Among the needs, there is a bit of an underrated one: running back.
On April 10, Aaron Wilson reported that Baltimore was among the teams hosting a visit with Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson. Johnson is seen as a Day 2 to early Day 3 pick, and the Ravens investing that type of draft capital in a running back may be earlier than some anticipate.
Nebraska @HuskerFootball all-purpose All-American running back Emmett Johnson, competing for second-round and to be third back overall selected, visits #Vikings #Jaguars #Seahawks #Commanders #Ravens per league source.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 11, 2026
Ran 4.46, went through extensive drill work, excelled for all… https://t.co/R5vq6bioZx pic.twitter.com/zBvczsMvE6
Baltimore Ravens may take bigger swing for a RB than some expect
The Ravens will probably need a new running back within one of the next two years. With Derrick Henry getting up there in age at 32 years old, albeit still as dominant as he was back in his age-25 season, there’s going to be a need for a lead bellcow sooner rather than later. Henry’s current contract also ends following the 2027 season. Johnson could be the heir to his throne.
The heir was initially expected to be Keaton Mitchell. Unfortunately, Baltimore cut costs there by not giving him the restricted free agent tender, which led him to sign with the Los Angeles Chargers. Now, it’s Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali stepping back into bigger rotational roles in 2026, but plans could change if Johnson were selected.
Johnson was one of the most electric backs in college last year. He carried the ball 251 times for 1,451 yards (fourth-most in the nation) and 12 touchdowns. The 22-year-old also played a key role through the air, hauling in 46 receptions for 370 yards and three touchdowns. He was the lifeblood of that Nebraska Cornhusker offense.
That high-level production could be a huge addition to Baltimore’s offense, led by new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Doyle had a dynamic duo take off in his rushing attack with the Chicago Bears in 2025, as DeAndre Swift and Kyle Monangai went off. That run-heavy game plan could follow him to Charm City.
The team could certainly use a backup running back to lean on when Henry needs a breather, and Johnson’s done everything to prove he could be capable of that role in his rookie campaign. He’d likely be a more capable runner than both Hill and Ali, and his capabilities as a pass catcher could make him the most well-rounded third-down back that the Ravens have had in a while.
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