Vikings Use 1 Pick to Acquire 3 Running Backs

Q: How did the Vikings acquire Demond Claiborne?

The Vikings traded picks 234 and a 2027 sixth-rounder to secure pick 198, which they used to draft Demond Claiborne.

Q: What running backs did the Vikings acquire using pick 198?

Using pick 198, the Vikings acquired Cam Akers, Jordan Mason, and Demond Claiborne.

Q: What was the journey of pick 198 before it was used by the Vikings?

Pick 198 was traded between teams, originally belonging to the Vikings, then to the Texans, and back to the Vikings before being used to draft Claiborne.

Q: Who were the notable running backs for the Vikings before this draft?

The Vikings had notable running backs like Adrian Peterson and Dalvin Cook, who significantly contributed to the team's success over the years.

Vikings Use 1 Pick to Acquire 3 Running Backs The running back position carried the Minnesota Vikings for a long time, which is no surprise with talented backs Adrian Peterson and Dalvin Cook in the backfield for 1.5 decades. Under Kevin O’Connell, the importance of the position group has seemingly faded. Still, the club drafted a running back on Saturday, using pick 198 to bring Wake Forest ball-carrier Demond Claiborne to the Twin Cities. That pick was acquired via trade from the Patriots for a seventh-rounder this year and a sixth-rounder from next year’s draft.

Oct 5, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons running back Demond Claiborne (1) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of the game against North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images Funny but true: That exact draft pick, 198 from the 2026 draft, was used three times by the Vikings to acquire a new running back. How did that work? Well, time appears to be a flat circle in the NFL. On a serious note, that pick was originally Minnesota’s organic 2026 sixth-rounder. In October of 2024, the organization traded that pick to Houston in exchange for running back Cam Akers. Akers had already played for the Vikings in 2023, joining via trade from the . He played a rotational role behind and his snap share slowly increased. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon halfway through the season. In the 2024 offseason, Akers signed with the . Once again unhappy with the depth in the running back room, the Vikings traded for him a second time in 2024. This time, pick 198 was used. Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, , USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback (9) hands the ball off to Minnesota Vikings running back (27) against the during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images The Texans shipped that pick back to Minnesota in a trade for Vikings guard last offseason. The former second-rounder couldn’t establish himself as a starter here, but left a mark in Houston. Pick 198 was back in the State of 10,000 Lakes. A few days later, the Vikings swapped 198 for Jordan Mason. A second back arrived with that same exact draft choice. Mason became the running mate of after his breakout season in . The didn’t want to hand him a contract extension, opening the door for the Vikings. Mason led the Vikings in rushing with 758 yards and six touchdowns. In October, six months ago, the 49ers rerouted Minnesota’s sixth-rounder to the New England Patriots in a trade that landed them defensive lineman . San Francisco’s defensive unit had a horror season, as injuries depleted that group all year long. White was a needed reinforcement. That brings us to Saturday. The Vikings wanted to trade up into the sixth round to secure the speedy back out of Wake Forest. In exchange for picks 234 and a 2027 sixth-rounder, Minnesota once again controlled pick 198. The draft pick underwent a long journey and somehow gave Minnesota three running backs along the way. Sep 27, 2025; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons running back Demond Claiborne (1) runs the ball during the third quarter against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Kelvin Hill (16) at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images Claiborne joins Mason and in the running back room, with providing depth. He became Minnesota’s first running back drafted since in 2023. The 22-year-old provides the breakaway speed and the youth that the Vikings lacked in recent years. He demonstrated his pace with a 4.37 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. *The Athletic’s* Dane Brugler wrote about Claiborne in his , “A twitched-up ball carrier, Claiborne has darting quickness and speed to burn, which allows him to gear down, plant and hit the accelerator in unison. He is a competitive runner but lacks the power of an inside runner and is at his best on the move, when he can get defenses flowing east-west and set up cutback opportunities. Minimizing fumbles and drops and expanding his catch radius would vastly increase his chances of finding regular playing time in the NFL.” Over the last two years, Claiborne rushed for over 1,900 yards and 21 touchdowns, adding another 394 yards as a pass-catcher and two more scores. He also returned two kick returns for touchdowns in his collegiate career. Depending on his success in a purple uniform, pick 198 could reach legendary status in Minnesota. *Editor’s Note: Information from , , and helped with this article.*