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Could Demond Claiborne win starting job for Minnesota Vikings?
TL;DR
Demond Claiborne could compete for the starting running back position with the Minnesota Vikings, especially if he performs well in training camp. His unique speed and playstyle may lead to opportunities, potentially impacting the roster decisions regarding Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.
Key points
- Demond Claiborne is a potential candidate for the Vikings' starting running back job.
- Claiborne's speed and playstyle differ significantly from Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.
- The Vikings may consider cutting Aaron Jones if Claiborne performs well.
Minnesota VikingsDemond ClaiborneAaron JonesJordan Mason
There were two major trends for the Minnesota Vikings in mock drafts leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft: drafting Dillon Thieneman in round one and taking a running back on day two. Minnesota could go Caleb Banks in round one, and wait until the sixth round to take a running back, taking Wake Forest product Demond Claiborne.
Given the current room of the Vikings, is there a chance Claiborne wins the starting job this season?
The first thing to take into consideration is salaries. Aaron Jones is accounting for $10.2 million in 2026, and Jordan Mason is hitting for $5.7 million, per Sportrac. If Claiborne performs well in training camp and in the preseason, there's a chance one of these two could be made available or become a cut candidate, with the more likely being Jones with a bigger cap number.
Salaries aside, we now look at playstyle. Jones and Mason have similar playstyles to one another, while Claiborne is a polar opposite. Claiborne has pure speed to his game, able to make cuts at the drop of a dime, and excels in catching passes out of the backfield. Because of this, he could steal snaps on passing/third-down situations. Kevin O'Connell has not had a running back with as much juice as Claiborne has, and could look to utilize him early.
It should not surprise anyone if, by week six of the season, Claiborne is taking snaps from Jones or Mason and flashing on tape. His speed could be just what this offense needs out of the backfield and help elevate it to new heights.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Demond Claiborne poised to have a chance to earn the starting job
Q&A
What are Demond Claiborne's chances of starting for the Minnesota Vikings?
Demond Claiborne has a chance to win the starting job if he performs well in training camp and preseason, especially given the current salary situation of other running backs.
How does Demond Claiborne's playstyle differ from Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason?
Claiborne's playstyle is characterized by pure speed and agility, making him effective in passing situations, while Jones and Mason have more similar styles focused on traditional running.
What impact could Claiborne's performance have on the Vikings' roster decisions?
If Claiborne excels, it could lead to Aaron Jones being considered a cut candidate due to his higher salary, altering the team's running back depth chart.