Vikings Draft a Demon — with a D

Luke Jamroz The Minnesota Vikings had no youth in their running back room — until late Saturday afternoon. After a trade back into the 6th Round, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski drafted Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne , and just like that, fans have a twinge of hope that a youth movement at tailback could be on the horizon. Minnesota added burst, return value, and another backfield variable for Kevin O’Connell’s offense.

Veteran Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones will presumably get the bulk of carries early next season, but if injuries arise, Claiborne could be tapped on the shoulder. Claiborne Adds Speed to a Backfield That Needed More Juice One drafted halfback is better than zero drafted halfbacks. Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne (1) accelerates through the line during first-quarter action against Virginia Tech, Oct 4, 2025 in Blacksburg, showing burst and vision at Lane Stadium while navigating traffic and looking to create a chunk gain early in a competitive ACC matchup on the road.

Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images It’s Claiborne for MIN in Round 6 Vikings fans waited anxiously during the draft’s first five rounds for a new running back — that didn’t arrive. Then, after a trade with the New England Patriots, the drought ended. Vikings.

com’s Rob Kleifield announced , “The Vikings offense added speed you can’t teach in the sixth round. Minnesota selected former Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne with the 198th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday, jolting its backfield with a Second-Team All-ACC runner who has red-hot wheels. The Vikings vaulted up the draft board to snag Claiborne, sending No.