Demond Claiborne

Demond Claiborne News

Demond Claiborne Building Momentum and Seeing More Work

Minnesota Vikings sixth-round rookie running back Demond Claiborne missed some time early in camp with an undisclosed ailment that left him working on a side field, but he had the play of the day on Saturday, outrunning the defense for a 60-yard score after making a move at the point of attack. The touchdown came with mostly backups on the field, but Claiborne has stood out in recent days through his heavy involvement as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield, occasionally even mixing in with the first-team offense. He has also shown juice in the return game, and he's a player who could impress in the team's first preseason game on August 15. Still firmly behind Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones Sr. on the depth chart, Claiborne offers little standalone value for 2026, but showcasing multiple paths to fantasy relevance, he could find his way into waiver conversations by season's end while remaining a worthwhile dynasty stash.

Aug 9, 2026 6:13 AM EST

Demond Claiborne Drawing Rave Reviews from Vikings Camp

Minnesota Vikings "executives, coaches, and teammates quietly raved" about rookie running back Demond Claiborne's movement skills this spring, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic. A sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest, Claiborne recorded 2,350 scrimmage yards and 23 touchdowns across his final 24 games for the Demon Deacons. He enters 2026 firmly behind veterans Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason on the team's running back depth chart and may even be behind Zavier Scott for Minnesota's RB3 job. However, neither Jones Sr. nor Mason is under contract with the Vikings beyond 2026. Claiborne profiles as the highest-upside athlete of the Minnesota running backs. If he can prove himself capable of handling the finer points of the running back position, Claiborne could carve out a role in the Vikings' backfield sooner rather than later.

Jul 25, 2026 7:31 AM EST

Demond Claiborne an Intriguing Dynasty Stash Candidate Ahead of 2026

Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Demond Claiborne was selected in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft after he recorded 1,047 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns across 12 games at Wake Forest in 2025. In Minnesota, Claiborne joins a crowded running back room that also includes Aaron Jones Sr., Jordan Mason, and Zavier Scott. As a result, Claiborne may have a difficult time carving out a fantasy-relevant role in his first NFL season. However, both Jones Sr. and Mason will be free agents at the end of the 2026 season, leaving the Vikings without a clear running back of the future. Weighing in at under 200 lbs., Claiborne is a bit undersized for a true three-down role in the NFL. Still, he brings high-end speed and could be worth targeting as a dynasty stash candidate in rookie drafts.

Jul 18, 2026 11:58 AM EST

Demond Claiborne Profiles as a Worthy Dynasty Stash Candidate Entering 2026

After recording 1,047 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 207 touches across 12 games in his senior season at Wake Forest, running back Demond Claiborne was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Claiborne is unlikely to see significant playing time in Minnesota as a rookie, as he enters the year with veterans Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason both firmly ahead of him on the running back depth chart. However, neither Jones Sr. nor Mason is currently under contract with the Vikings beyond the 2026 season. Claiborne is undersized for an NFL running back, but he brings a speed element that could allow him to establish himself as a key piece of the Minnesota offense going forward. Given the clear long-term opportunity available in the Vikings backfield, Claiborne profiles as a worthy late-round dart throw for dynasty managers in rookie drafts.

Jun 26, 2026 8:48 AM EST

Demond Claiborne Worthy of a Late-Round Dart Throw in Dynasty Rookie Drafts

Minnesota Vikings running back Demond Claiborne was a 6th-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a historically difficult spot from which to find fantasy success. On the rare occasions when a back with such late draft capital has made a meaningful fantasy impact, the setting is often a backfield without a clear leader. With neither Aaron Jones nor Jordan Mason handling more than 39% of the team's carries or reaching 760 yards on the ground in 2025, the landing spot in Minnesota certainly qualifies as such. Claiborne is only 5'10" and 195 pounds, so he is unlikely to ever find an every-down role in the NFL, but he offers an element of speed unique to the Vikings' running back room. If he can beat out 2023 undrafted free agent Xavier Scott, he could carve out a role in a three-man rotation in an offense projected to get back on track after the worst showing of the Kevin O'Connell era. At RotoBaller's rookie WR8, Claiborne is at least worth a dart throw in the closing rounds of 2026 rookie drafts.

Jun 3, 2026 5:23 AM EST

Vikings Trade Up to Select Demond Claiborne

The Minnesota Vikings have selected Wake Forest running back prospect Demond Claiborne with the 198th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Vikings traded up to select Claiborne, acquiring the 198th pick from the New England Patriots in exchange for the 234th pick and a 2027 sixth-round selection. A multi-year contributor in the ACC, Claiborne tallied 1,956 rushing yards, 394 receiving yards, and 23 touchdowns over his last two seasons at school. With Aaron Jones Sr. presumably getting closer to his retirement, adding a young, depth running back makes sense for the Vikings. Claiborne and Zavier Scott will presumably compete to be active as the Vikings' No. 3 running back behind Jones and Jordan Mason in 2026.

Apr 25, 2026 12:49 PM EST