Vikings Landed One of the Draft’s Best Value Picks

Jim Dedmon If you’re excited about Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne in a Minnesota Vikings uniform, well so is ESPN, who identified the best value selections per round in last week’s draft. Minnesota waited until Round 6 to grab Claiborne, but his speed gives the backfield something it lacked. The Vikings picked Claiborne in Round 6 after a trade up the board , and according to Jordan Reid, that choice represented the top value of that round.

Claiborne Brings Long-Speed Appeal to Minnesota’s RB Room Some hype for a Vikings draft, which has felt rare in the last four years. Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne (1) carries the ball as North Carolina linebacker Power Echols (23) closes in during first-quarter action at Kenan Memorial Stadium, with Nov. 16, 2024 marking the ACC matchup.

Claiborne works through contact while navigating traffic early in the game against the Tar Heels. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images. Reid: Round 6 Best Value Is Claiborne ESPN’s Matt Miller named Washington Commanders running back Kayton Allen as his top-value draft pick from Round 6, but Reid disagreed, nominating Claiborne.

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.