Vikings backfield needs a 'spark' after the 2026 NFL Draft

The Vikings' 2026 NFL Draft class has been debated ten times over, despite it not even being a week since they were able to see the picks made by the staff. The team went into the NFL Draft with no permanent general manager in place, thus it became the coaching staff's responsibility. The results were mixed among fans, while the staff remains high on the results of their work.

One of the many people adding their two cents to the situation is Bleacher Report's Moe Moton. He described each team's backfield after the 2026 NFL Draft, a draft in which the Vikings were expected to invest premium draft capital on their backfield. Instead, they spent a sixth round pick on Demond Claiborne out of Wake Forest to add depth to their backfield.

While Claiborne has his fans, overall, this isn't what many expected.

Moton writes, "The Minnesota Vikings' running back room needs a spark. Aaron Jones Sr. is entering his age-32 term. Jordan Mason isn't a dynamic pass-catcher with 28 receptions for 173 yards in four seasons. Demond Claiborne has 4.37 speed, averaged 4.7 yards per carry and caught 55 passes for 424 yards and two touchdowns through four collegiate terms at Wake Forest. Despite his sixth-round draft status, he could be a key playmaker in the Vikings' backfield."

Something has to give for a team that is struggling at the quarterback position at the moment. Nothing helps the passing aspect of their offense the way a reliable running game can. Time will tell, but this backfield will need that desired spark from Claiborne; otherwise, this backfield remains less than ideal for all parties involved.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: The Vikings didn't spend premium draft capital on a RB in 2026