Vikings Landed One of the Draft’s Best Value Picks

Reid explained, “The Vikings traded up to select the former Wake Forest back. While Minnesota restructured Aaron Jones Sr.’s contract this offseason, there’s room for another receiving running back on the roster. Claiborne could potentially fill Jones’ role in 2027.”

Claiborne is the Vikings’ first serious attempt to find a rookie halfback since Ty Chandler in the 2022 NFL Draft, or, arguably, Alexander Mattison before that in 2019. It’s been a while.

In Good Hands with Frank Smith

The Vikings kept their main coaches in place this offseason — head coach Kevin O’Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips — but underneath those three, Minnesota experienced a significant overhaul. One such newcomer is Frank Smith, who served as Mike McDaniel’s offensive coordinator in Miami for the last four seasons.

One of his claims to fame? Unlocking and cultivating De’Von Achane from Texas A&M in 2023, a speedster who has remarkably similar characteristics to — you guessed it — Claiborne.

These are the measureables:

Devon Achane
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 185 lbs
Speed: 4.32

Demond Claiborne
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 195 lbs
Speed: 4.37

So, yes — optimistic Vikings fans are convinced that Smith will pull a rabbit out of the hat in Minneapolis. It could happen.

SI.com‘s Will Ragatz on Claiborne: “Claiborne is an electric playmaker with 4.37 speed at 5’10” and 188 pounds. He had 1,300 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns in 2024, then followed that with another 1,000 yards and 10 TDs last season. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry in 2025.”

“Claiborne is undersized and won’t bring a ton of physicality to the RB room, but he wins with his elite burst and agility on the edge. He can find a hole, make a cut, and explode through it for big plays with his high-end speed. He also caught 51 passes over the past two seasons.”

If Claiborne doesn’t transform into Achane, he’s probably looking at a career similar to that of Nyheim Hines or Jerick McKinnon, based on his size and toolkit.

Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne (1) runs with the football against the Miami Hurricanes during second-quarter action at Hard Rock Stadium, with Nov. 23, 2024 capturing the in-game moment. Claiborne accelerates into space as Wake Forest leans on its rushing attack in a road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.

Ragatz added, “The Vikings did quite a bit of homework on Claiborne in the pre-draft process, including hosting him on a top-30 visit at TCO Performance Center, so this pick doesn’t come as a surprise (other than the fact that they traded up to do it). This is great value for the Vikings in the sixth round and makes a lot of sense for their future.”

“They needed some youth and explosiveness to join Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in their running back room, and they got it. No one would’ve batted an eye if they had taken Claiborne with one of their fifth-round picks (he was 144th on the consensus media board), so to get him at 198 feels well worth parting with a 2027 sixth.”

The Speed Is There

Want to know a dirty little secret about Vikings football right now? It needs speed. Jalen Nailor, perhaps the team’s fastest player, skedaddled in free agency to the Las Vegas Raiders, his hometown team. He’s a goner. The aforementioned Chandler was as fast as hell — when he wasn’t on injury reserve. He’s a New Orleans Saint. And wide receiver Rondale Moore tragically passed away in February.

All the speed merchants left. Meanwhile, Minnesota drafted no wide receivers last week, which would normally be a chance to replenish the speed fountain.

It’s only Demond for speedy newcomers, assuming a quick undrafted free agent doesn’t climb the depth chart in August.

When Will He Play?

Claiborne has one problem post-draft: he has two very seasoned veterans in front of him on the depth chart. Aaron Jones is back for Year No. 3 as a Viking after a few weeks of fans believing that he’d be a roster-cut casualty. Jones accepted a paycut and will hold down the RB1 or RB2 job once again.

Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne (1) carries the ball during first-quarter action against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium, with Oct. 4, 2025 marking the contest in Blacksburg. Claiborne presses forward behind his blockers as Wake Forest tests its ground game early. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images.

His teammate, Jordan Mason, is in the prime of his career, turning 27 this summer. Unless Claiborne completely and utterly rips training camp and the preseason apart — see: Adrian Peterson in 2007 — Claiborne will probably be designated as the firm RB3 in 2026. He’ll likely battle the incumbent, Zavier Scott, for the job.

Of course, injuries could alter everything. That’s how injuries work. Suppose Jones gets hurt — that happens to him — Claiborne could be tapped on the shoulder for RB2 duty as early as September or October.

Otherwise, 2027 is a convenient timeframe for Claiborne’s possible emergence as RB1.

And according to Reid, that won’t be a bad thing for the Vikings. His value is paramount.