Vikings May Have Something in Demond Claiborne
When the Minnesota Vikings entered the 2026 NFL Draft, there were more than a few positions they needed to address. […]
Zachary Taft-Imagn Images When the Minnesota Vikings entered the 2026 NFL Draft, there were more than a few positions they needed to address. They targeted both sides of the football and did a good job of grabbing talent all across the board. One of the positions they couldn’t afford to ignore any longer was running back.
Kevin O’Connell has grown synonymous with a lack of a running game. He has leaned into Aaron Jones and the running joke that has become Cam Akers ( who is, again, available , by the way). Claiborne Has a Clear Path to Snaps It would have been fun to see Minnesota-native Emmett Johnson in a Vikings uniform, but they infused youth by choosing Wake Forest product Demond Caliborne.
Playing plenty as a freshman, Demond Claiborne has 44 career games under his belt at the collegiate level. He ran for 1,049 yards as a junior two seasons ago, before bumping his yards per carry average up to 5. 1 this past season.
Claiborne has 26 career rushing touchdowns, of which 21 came in the past two seasons. Jul 23, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne answers questions from the media during ACC Media days at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Claiborne is not a one-trick pony either.