What are Vikings Getting with Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne?

The Minnesota Vikings selected Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne with the 198th pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding competition to a crowded backfield behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.

The 22-year-old Aylett, VA native spent all four years of his college career with the Demon Deacons, earning third-team All-ACC honors as a junior in 2024 after rushing for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns on 228 carries, while adding 23 receptions for 254 yards and two receiving scores.

Claiborne followed that up with second-team All-ACC honors as a senior in 2025, rushing for 907 yards and 10 touchdowns on 179 carries, while adding 28 receptions for 140 yards. He earned an overall grade of 68.7 this past season from Pro Football Focus, ranking 331st among 406 qualifying running backs, including a 76.8 rushing grade (211th at the position). Claiborne forced 37 missed tackles and averaged 3.0 yards after contact per attempt, showcasing his ability to run between the tackles.

At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Claiborne measured in at five-foot-nine, 188 pounds with 30⅛-inch arms and nine-inch hands. He ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and a 1.59-second 10-yard split, while also posting a 10-foot-two-inch broad jump.

According to Next Gen Stats’ prospect score breakdown, his total score of 67 ranked 10th among running backs. His production score of 56 ranked 13th among running backs, while his estimated athleticism score of 74 ranked eighth at the position.

Claiborne projects as a change-of-pace back who could provide a different dimension to the Minnesota offense, particularly in a backfield that already features more traditional, physical runners. His game is built around above-average movement skills, sharp lateral cuts and the ability to turn small creases into chunk gains. Rather than relying on power or downhill force, he wins with acceleration and quick decision-making in space, which can stress opposing defenses.

For the Vikings, this fit comes from the need to inject more explosiveness and unpredictability into the run game behind veterans Jones and Mason. Claiborne offers legitimate home-run ability once he reaches the second level, where his burst allows him to separate quickly. He’s especially dangerous when given space on the edge, as his footwork and agility allow him to slip through arm tackles and create sudden direction changes.

However, he is not a high-volume interior runner and can struggle when consistently asked to take on heavy contact. As a complementary piece, Claiborne still provides real value and could be used in packages that maximize his open-field ability, including outside runs, motion concepts and the screen game.

His experience as a returner is also intriguing, giving Minnesota a potential spark on special teams. Overall, his explosive traits give him a clear pathway to carving out a situational role early in his NFL career with the Vikings.