Demond Claiborne has enough speed to survive roster cuts, but the Minnesota Vikings don’t yet have enough evidence that their sixth-round rookie could replace Aaron Jones or Jordan Mason in a meaningful game. He hasn’t pulled away from second-year pro Zavier Scott in a closely watched competition for the third running back job.
Claiborne followed 12 carries for 34 yards in the opener with eight attempts for 18 yards against Baltimore, averaging 2.3 yards and topping out at nine. He’s regularly worked with the second-team offense, though inefficient runs and preseason ball-security concerns have kept his athletic upside from settling the competition.
Jones, 31, makes that evaluation more urgent. Minnesota can manage his workload with Mason, yet one injury would push either Claiborne or Scott into snaps, including pass protection and short-yardage work that test a running back’s awareness, physicality and reliability.
Demond Claiborne’s growing pains test Minnesota Vikings running back depth
Claiborne, 22, arrived at No. 198 overall after building an intriguing profile at Wake Forest. His official college production included 2,599 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on 558 carries, plus 55 catches for 424 yards and two scores. His 1,049 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024 were career highs, while his 28 receptions in 2025 set another personal best.
The NFL is a far different tempo. Claiborne’s 4.37 speed can erase pursuit angles once he reaches daylight, but Minnesota needs him to anticipate blocks, press the correct gap and stay balanced through contact before that burst becomes useful. At 188 pounds, he also has strength work ahead before coaches can leave him in against starting defenders.
Scott gives the coaching staff a more familiar option after spending his rookie season in Kevin O’Connell’s system. That reliability helps at a position where assignments can decide playing time, but Claiborne’s straight-line speed and big-play potential have prevented Scott from flat-out being gifted the job.
Green Bay in Week 1 would be a rough place for either back to learn on the fly -- but they really shouldn’t have to. The official Week 1 matchup brings an NFC North defense that will disguise pressure, force quick decisions and make the back identify his assignment before the snap. One hesitation in protection can get the quarterback hit and send an inexperienced runner back to the sideline.
Minnesota has until Aug. 30 at 3 p.m. to settle its initial roster, with the first regular-season depth chart expected in early September. The Vikings could keep Claiborne for his upside and special-teams value while choosing Scott as the steadier RB3, or add another veteran after cuts if neither player earns enough trust.
Cam Akers would be the familiar outside option if the Vikings want somebody who already knows O’Connell’s offense. Akers remains a free agent after three separate Minnesota stints, and another reunion would give the depth chart an experienced answer while Claiborne develops.
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