Do you remember Dalvin Cook? How about Alexander Mattison? Cook in 2017 and Mattison in 2019 were the last times the Minnesota Vikings featured explosive (or competent) homegrown running backs who made a meaningful dent in the offense. This year, the club has rookie Demond Claiborne in the house, and there’s already hope that he could end the drought.
Claiborne is not a sure thing to shapeshift into a “sure thing” in the NFL, but early hype is there to suggest he’s not just another late-round pick.
Claiborne’s Speed Gives the Vikings a New Summer Storyline
So It Begins on Claiborne
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis explained the origin of Claiborne’s nickname — “Lightning” — in a lengthy piece.
He wrote, “His signature move comes early in almost every run. The space shrinks. Tacklers lunge at him from all angles, speeds and directions. Demond Claiborne looks trapped. Then, in a flash, he snaps his body sideways with controlled violence. It’s the closest thing you’ll find to real-life teleportation.”
“Youth coaches struggled to describe Claiborne’s move. A hop-step didn’t do justice to the dynamism. Pilfering the ‘Cha Cha Slide’ from DJ Casper felt sacrilegious. Nothing came to mind. So, instead, they came up with a nickname for Claiborne.”
The Vikings used a 6th-Round pick on Claiborne, and generally speaking, 6th-Rounders often don’t pan out. The club hopes Claiborne is an exception to the rule.
Lewis added, “His short-term NFL impact will hinge on his ability to master the system and his reliability in pass protection. In the long haul, the Vikings project a potentially game-breaking role. Come training camp, videos of Claiborne side-stepping defenders will likely circulate.”
“With every run and every one of his signature crossovers, he will be painting a meaningful portrait — the image of the hooded teen who developed into a man because the right people believed in him.”
Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in Front of Him
Of course, Claiborne’s rookie setup isn’t a guns-blazing ordeal like high-round rookie running backs. For example, Jeremiyah Love will instantly become the Arizona Cardinals’ RB1 based on his talent and draft stock. Last year, Ashton Jeanty didn’t have to “wait and see” if the Las Vegas Raiders would give him the ball in Week 1. They just did.
Claiborne is different. He has two veterans ahead of him on the depth chart, and Jones + Mason figure to get the lion’s share of rushing attempts in 2026. Jones even accepted a pay cut to remain with the Vikings and will become a free agent next offseason.
Speaking of free agency, that tentatively awaits Mason, as well, added via trade by the Vikings in the 2025 offseason and afforded a two-year deal. Both Vikings veteran halfbacks are scheduled for one more season in the Twin Cities, which is why Claiborne needs to put his thumbprint on the summer and regular season. If he struts his stuff right away, there’s a clear path for him to take over as the RB1 as early as 2027.
Immediately One of the Fastest Vikings Players
This offseason, the Vikings lost Ty Chandler (RB), Rondale Moore (WR, RIP), and Jalen Nailor (WR) — also known as three of their fastest players. It was not ideal.
But have no fear because Claiborne has replenished the pipeline a bit. He ran a 4.37 forty at the NFL Combine and was one of the fastest rookie running backs — and rookie players regardless of position.
In fact, if one ranked the fastest players on Minnesota’s roster, the list might look something like this:
- Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
- Demond Claiborne (RB)
- Tai Felton (WR)
- Myles Price (WR)
- Dallas Turner (OLB)
- Kyler Murray (QB)
While Claiborne isn’t known necessarily for running defenders over, his speed is to die for. There’s a reason the Lightning nickname is out there.
All Eyes on Training Camp
Training camp is eight weeks away. That will be the first and most important forum for Claiborne to show what he’s got. Call it a first impression. Early returns at rookie minicamp in May and organized team activities (OTAs) were promising, but in July, Claiborne must stand off the page.
He’ll see Jones, Mason, Zavier Scott, and undrafted rookie Kejon Owens. Claiborne projects as the RB3, but he’ll have to actually win that job. Scott won’t want to return to the practice squad.
It’s also worth remembering that Jones, possibly the RB1 on paper, is susceptible to injuries. As early as September or October, head coach Kevin O’Connell could tap Claiborne on the shoulder for RB2 duty. That’s just how it goes for Jones historically.
Claiborne — or Lightning — will turn 23 in October. The hype train is just pulling away from the station.
