Should you draft Minnesota Vikings running back Demond Claiborne in redraft fantasy football leagues? Probably not. Should you remember his name and certainly add him to your Dynasty Fantasy squad? Indubitably.

Claiborne profiles as the Vikings’ RB3 this season, and with any luck, he’ll secure meaningful touches by season’s end.

Claiborne’s Speed Creates a Path to Early Touches

The ‘Sharp Football Analysis’ Skinny on Claiborne

Claiborne checked in at “Tier 12” of Rich Hribar’s fantasy running back tiers this week, sharing space with players like Kaytron Allen (Washington Commanders) and Braelon Allen (New York Jets).

Hribar wrote, “Demond Claiborne needs some rounding out, but he lands in a Minnesota backfield that could have some doors open. Aaron Jones will be 31 this season, and Jordan Mason has been a rushing-only back to date.”

“Claiborne is a slasher who can turn in splash plays with his speed. 42.5% of his rushing yards came on runs of 15 or more yards, the fifth-highest rate in this class. This also shows up in the return game. Claiborne only trailed Nicholas Singleton and Jadarian Price in career kickoff return yardage in this class, averaging 26.3 yards per kick return with 2 career touchdowns on special teams.”

Vikings fans waited patiently all offseason for a new running back. In the end, Claiborne was Minnesota’s choice.

“That speed component of his game was reinforced by a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the third-fastest time at his position in Indianapolis,” Hribar continued.

“That speed will get him on the field. Claiborne has to be fast because at 5-foot-10 and 188 pounds, his frame likely played a role in the overall pounding he could take, limiting his overall touches and impacting all of the bumps and bruises he left games with.”

Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs headlined Hribar’s first tier in 2026.

The Boom-or-Bust Potential Is Significant

Claiborne was drafted in Round 6. These are the halfbacks picked in that round since 2021:

• Khalil Herbert
• Elijah Mitchell
• Chris Rodriguez
• Kimani Vidal
• Ollie Gordon
• Chris Evans
• Devin Neal
• Gary Brightwell
• Tyler Badie
• Kevin Harris
• Keontay Ingram
• Jawhar Jordan
• Larry Rountree
• Deuce Vaughn
• Scott Matlock
• Tahi Brooks
• Trestan Ebner
• Jase McClellan
• Zach Evans
• Dylan Laube
• Kalel Mullings

It’s not a glowing pecking order, so if Claiborne beats the odds, he’ll boom and surge to the top of the list of recent Round 6 RB hopefuls.

The Key Frank Smith Caveat

Frank Smith, now in Minnesota as the assistant head coach, brings an exciting name to the table with his track record: De’Von Achane.

For the past four seasons, Smith served as Mike McDaniel’s offensive coordinator in Miami. During that time, Achane, a 2023 NFL draftee, blossomed into one of the league’s most dangerous running backs. While his speed was undeniable, Miami’s coaching staff under Smith truly maximized his impact on games.

That’s where Claiborne enters the picture. Achane, at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, recorded a blazing 4.32-second forty-yard dash. Claiborne, at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, ran a 4.37. While not identical, their similarities are enough to generate excitement among Vikings fans.

This offseason, the Vikings retained Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores, but changes occurred lower on the coaching staff. Smith was one of the more intriguing new additions. Now, with another fast, smaller running back capable of big plays, optimistic Vikings fans are connecting the dots. They envision Smith replicating his success with Achane, this time with Claiborne in Minneapolis. It could happen.

Probably an Audition for 2027

Jones and Mason will assuredly be the Vikings’ main running backs in 2026, but beyond that, the outlook is cloudy. Jones is old, and the Vikings nearly released him this offseason, save for an accepted paycut. Mason is 27, but 2026 is the final year of his contract.

If you peeked into a crystal ball, there’s a reasonable chance neither man will play for the 2027 Vikings.

That’s where Claiborne’s trajectory gets fascinating. If he has the pop and vision to mimic Achane, well, the team is yearning for an RB1 of the future. Claiborne, for sure, has the youth and speed for the assignment. It’s just unclear if he has the vision and ability to break tackles like other RB1s.

Claiborne is under contract for the next four years. The timing and situation are ripe for a breakout on an RB1-needy team if he has the spine for it.

Otherwise, the Vikings will probably defer to the 2027 NFL Draft, which isn’t the worst option, as the class is already projected to feature heavy-hitting rookie RBs.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker