It was certainly a whirlwind of a 2026 NFL Draft for the Minnesota Vikings, with some mixed reactions to how they did.
While not every selection was praised by the national media, some nice picks on Day 3 got everyone's attention. ESPN NFL Draft expert Jordan Reid was a particular fan of the Vikings' sixth-round selection of Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne, calling it the most valuable pick in the round.
"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 in the roster. Claiborne could potentially fill Jones' role in 2027."
The Minnesota Vikings are getting much deserved praise for their Demond Claiborne selection at the 2026 NFL Draft
Caliborne has been an undervalued and underappreciated player in college over the last two years, playing well for the Demon Deacons. In 2024, he ran for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns, and caught 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns.
Even though the 2025 numbers will decrease, it could be argued that it was a better season for him. Caliborne rushed for 907 yards and 10 touchdowns while catching 28 passes for 140 yards. What separates 2025 from the rest of his college career is that he was more efficient per carry, as he had a career-high 5.1 yards per carry.
Now entering the NFL, Claiborne is looking to at least earn a backup job, which is possible as he brings a lot to the table. His 4.37-second 40-yard dash time is an appealing trait for him and will have Vikings fans excited about his future in the backfield.
Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. is lucky to be back after taking a pay cut to play in Minnesota, but Caliborne is seen as his successor. Jordan Mason should be the number one running back with a mixture of Jones and Caliborne.
It might be hard for Minnesota to ignore the idea of Caliborne playing more often than Jones, as that kind of speed the sixth-round pick has is hard to find with running backs these days. That's the kind of weapon this offense has been missing, as last year's running game lacked big plays, with the longest run of the season by a running back coming from Jones for 31 yards.
The Vikings may not know it yet, but Caliborne might be something special that must play early and often in 2026.
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