Demond Claiborne rookie fantasy outlook and impact on RB teammates

The Vikings selected Demond Claiborne in the sixth round of the NFL draft. What is his realistic 2026 fantasy outlook, and how might his presence impact Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Zavier Scott? An ideal landing spot for a late-round pick?

Quite possibly. On paper, this backfield looks pretty packed. But in reality, a lot could go wrong in a hurry, which could propel the rookie to fantasy legitimacy.

Jones will turn 32 in December, will be a free agent after this season, and is fully post-prime. While Minnesota will still lean on him when possible, his durability is now a major question mark. Jones’s over/under on games played is probably around 12 or 13.

Fantasy managers should be prepared to snag at least one of his backups. Mason, of course, is the most obvious backup. At this stage of his and Jones’s careers, Mason almost certainly will be the better bargain, and his over/under on games played is closer to 15.