Who Should I Start? Demond Claiborne or CJ Donaldson


Week 9 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.5 2.5 0.0 0.2 0.9 0.0

Demond Claiborne News

Demond Claiborne a Short-Term Handcuff Option in Deep Leagues

Tuesday, September 29, 2:55 PM

Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Demond Claiborne was thrust into a bigger role when the team put Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve last week. However, the Vikings have been hesitant to put too much on the sixth-rounder out of Wake Forest's plate early in his first season in the NFL, and that showed in the Vikings' Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 22-year-old only played three offensive snaps and had three rushing attempts for just one yard, while both Max Bredson and DeeJay Dallas out-snapped him behind starter Aaron Jones Sr. Claiborne's role could grow over the next couple of weeks, though, and Mason will miss at least three more games while on IR. In Claiborne's NFL debut in the Week 2 victory over the division-rival Chicago Bears, he had just one reception for a gain of two yards. At best, Claiborne is a short-term handcuff option for fantasy managers who have Jones rostered, but once Mason returns from his thumb injury, Claiborne will be buried on Minnesota's RB depth chart again. He is currently rostered in only 2% of Yahoo leagues.


Week 9 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.8 7.2 0.0 0.5 3.0 0.0

CJ Donaldson News

CJ Donaldson Unlikely to See Fantasy-Relevant Workload in Week 7

Saturday, October 24, 5:49 AM

Across six games so far in 2026, New Orleans Saints running back CJ Donaldson has recorded 91 yards from scrimmage on 21 touches. The 22-year-old has played a regular role in his team's backfield rotation on third downs. He's also started to earn a few more touches of late, recording a season-high six carries and 39 rushing yards in Week 6 against the New York Giants. However, Donaldson is still competing with Kendre Miller and Alvin Kamara for snaps and touches in the Saints backfield. The Saints will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7, who profile as a much tougher run defense than the Giants. With all three backs likely to get their chance against the Pittsburgh, Donaldson is tough for fantasy managers to trust as a starter.


Demond Claiborne vs. CJ Donaldson

Still trying to decide between Claiborne and Donaldson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Demond Claiborne is projected to score 0.5 points this week while CJ Donaldson is projected to score 1.8 points.