The Minnesota Vikings haven’t gotten much of a return from recent drafts, but they’re hoping the 2026 class is different. An immediate impact from running back Demond Claiborne would be one way to buck the trend as his speed has earned some lofty praise as he enters the league.
When Vikings running back Aaron Jones was asked earlier this week what challenges the sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest could face coming into the NFL, he mentioned the difference along the defensive line, but he also gave another lofty accolade, comparing his speed and burst to Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs.
“I’ve told him…how the biggest difference for me is the D-Linemen. Like those are the guys who are running 4.6 [second 40-yard dashes] at 300 pounds, 4.7 at 300 pounds, can throw off blocks and chase down a screen and things like that.
So I just let him know, 'Hey, it opens and closes a lot faster,' but he has the speed to trail-blaze and get through there. Honestly, it looks a little bit like Jahmyr Gibbs in terms of that speed and that burst. So I’m excited to see it as well.”
Demond Claiborne hype train continues during Minnesota Vikings minicamp
Jones isn’t the first person to compare Claiborne’s speed to some of the elite backs in the NFL. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler called Claiborne “a Diet De’Von Achane” in his scouting guide titled “The Beast.”
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis said some in the NFL also consider him to have some qualities similar to Gibbs during an appearance on KFXN-FM’s "9 to Noon" show last April.
“I have heard people within the NFL, who work and get paid by teams, say to me that he is like Diet Coke De’Von Achane/Jahmyr Gibbs.”
Claiborne’s draft profile created some of this hype. He ran for 2,599 yards and 26 touchdowns during his four years with the Demon Deacons and became part of the passing game with 51 catches for 394 yards and two touchdowns over his final two years.
He took it a step further by running the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds during the pre-draft process and earned an 83 percent comparison to Gibbs based on athletic testing and physical measurements by MockDraftable.
Gibbs is more than just speed. Since entering the league in the 2023 draft, Gibbs has run for 3,580 yards and 39 touchdowns while catching 181 passes for 1,449 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Drawing a comparison to him is a good sign, but it’s even better considering the Vikings’ interest in Gibbs before the Lions selected him with the 12th overall pick in that draft.
Of course, there are some hurdles to clear. Kevin O’Connell’s reliance on the pass is one obstacle to overcome, and he’s also leaned on Jones heavily during his tenure, even at the expense of fellow running back Jordan Mason.
Vikings fans may also have deja vu after late-round picks Ty Chandler and DeWayne McBride flamed out.
Clearly, they’re hoping Claiborne has a different fate. If he does, it’s one step for the Vikings to build a better draft class, and it could give Minnesota the dynamic backfield weapon they’ve been lacking in recent years.
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