The New Orleans Saints are leaving no stone unturned as they continue to build a dynamic offense for the future. With a renewed focus under coordinator Kellen Moore, the team is actively scouting talent to support quarterback Tyler Shough, and their search has led them to the backfield.
While the Saints' running back room appears deep with names like Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara, and rookie Devin Neal, the NFL is a league of constant preparation. The potential volatility of the position, especially considering injury histories, makes due diligence essential.
That's why it's notable that Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas was on hand at Nebraska's pro day to meet with standout rusher Emmett Johnson. Johnson, coming off a monster 2025 season where he amassed nearly 2,000 scrimmage yards in the tough Big Ten, turned heads with his athletic testing and pass-catching drills.
Posting a 40-yard dash in the 4.4-4.5 second range, Johnson demonstrated the kind of burst and versatility that could thrive in a modern NFL scheme. For a Saints team looking to add another explosive weapon, a prospect like Johnson represents an intriguing late-round or priority free-agent target to create a more formidable and diverse ground attack.