Vikings trade up for Claiborne

StickierBuns wrote:

So help me, guys....why was he available so late? He looks really good. Shifty and super fast. Strong for his size. I don't get why he was still around? Not trying to be a downer at all on this pick, I love it.....just don't get why a talent like this lasted so long.
OverviewClaiborne is a twitched-up, elusive slasher who can turn minimal gains into explosive runs. He's creative in tight quarters, using lateral agility and sudden feet to escape trouble. While willing to run between the tackles, his lack of size and strength limits his effectiveness in that area. His unpredictable nature -- sometimes pulling runs off-track when profit is available -- might frustrate coaches, but it also generates unexpected chunk plays. He projects as a middle-round, change-of-pace option and complementary back who can inject much-needed juice into a dull, predictable running game.

Just highlights how inexact the process is. Terrell Davis was a 6th. Arian Foster was UDFA. Ron Dayne was a first.

StickierBuns wrote:

So help me, guys....why was he available so late? He looks really good. Shifty and super fast. Strong for his size. I don't get why he was still around? Not trying to be a downer at all on this pick, I love it.....just don't get why a talent like this lasted so long.
OverviewClaiborne is a twitched-up, elusive slasher who can turn minimal gains into explosive runs. He's creative in tight quarters, using lateral agility and sudden feet to escape trouble. While willing to run between the tackles, his lack of size and strength limits his effectiveness in that area. His unpredictable nature -- sometimes pulling runs off-track when profit is available -- might frustrate coaches, but it also generates unexpected chunk plays. He projects as a middle-round, change-of-pace option and complementary back who can inject much-needed juice into a dull, predictable running game.

Probably since he's a little undersized and doesn't project as a 3-down RB. Doesn't mean much though, most of the RB class went much later than projected. I'm glad we ended up with Claiborne where we got him. He has some serious juice and big play ability, way more than guys like Emmet Johnson and Coleman.

StickierBuns wrote:

So help me, guys....why was he available so late? He looks really good. Shifty and super fast. Strong for his size. I don't get why he was still around? Not trying to be a downer at all on this pick, I love it.....just don't get why a talent like this lasted so long.
OverviewClaiborne is a twitched-up, elusive slasher who can turn minimal gains into explosive runs. He's creative in tight quarters, using lateral agility and sudden feet to escape trouble. While willing to run between the tackles, his lack of size and strength limits his effectiveness in that area. His unpredictable nature -- sometimes pulling runs off-track when profit is available -- might frustrate coaches, but it also generates unexpected chunk plays. He projects as a middle-round, change-of-pace option and complementary back who can inject much-needed juice into a dull, predictable running game.

Probably since he's a little undersized and doesn't project as a 3-down RB. Doesn't mean much though, most of the RB class went much later than projected. I'm glad we ended up with Claiborne where we got him. He has some serious juice and big play ability, way more than guys like Emmet Johnson and Coleman.

MAD GAINZ wrote:

Probably since he's a little undersized and doesn't project as a 3-down RB. Doesn't mean much though, most of the RB class went much later than projected. I'm glad we ended up with Claiborne where we got him. He has some serious juice and big play ability, way more than guys like Emmet Johnson and Coleman.

I wasn't an Emmett Johnson fan, 'juiceless' is the term for him IMO. I'm probably in the minority, but I like what a healthy Jordan Mason brings. I think we've got a nice trio now with Jones, Mason and Claiborne. 👍

greediron wrote:

Now if KOC will use him.

We spent a 5th on a FB, I think he’s committed to running the ball.

Right?

Ok, 5 fumbles in 179 carries is a red flag. Plus, early on he had some maturity issues dealing with hard coaching. KO will be giving him the boom stick often.

StickierBuns wrote:

So help me, guys....why was he available so late? He looks really good. Shifty and super fast. Strong for his size. I don't get why he was still around? Not trying to be a downer at all on this pick, I love it.....just don't get why a talent like this lasted so long.
OverviewClaiborne is a twitched-up, elusive slasher who can turn minimal gains into explosive runs. He's creative in tight quarters, using lateral agility and sudden feet to escape trouble. While willing to run between the tackles, his lack of size and strength limits his effectiveness in that area. His unpredictable nature -- sometimes pulling runs off-track when profit is available -- might frustrate coaches, but it also generates unexpected chunk plays. He projects as a middle-round, change-of-pace option and complementary back who can inject much-needed juice into a dull, predictable running game.

He went about where he was supposed to go in context with the RB class. It's just that the entire class as a group fell about two rounds later than consensus had them. Claiborne has a small frame, fumbled five times last year and he needs work in pass pro. And while he's a great weapon out of the backfield, he can drop a few. There were also concerns about his maturity early on, but I've read he's grown up a lot since then. Vikings will have to teach him how to pass block, but if they do, he can be our RB1 in 2027. De'Von Achane and Jahmyr Gibbs can't pass block either.

JustInTime wrote:

https://twitter.com/playerstormy/status/2048393261128073503

Man, the patience he shows on that first play is impressive. You have to have a lot of trust in your burst to be that patient.

MaroonBells wrote:

Man, the patience he shows on that first play is impressive. You have to have a lot of trust in your burst to be that patient.

Not quite as extreme as LeVeon Bell, but similar.

NOBODY here could tackle this kid in a phone booth.   Years back David Palmer had a nice role on the Vikings, Darren Nelson was not big, just a few years ago we hated facing Tarik Cohen on the Bears and Darren Sproles on the Eagles.  Neither of them were over 185lbs.  Jahmer Gibbs is 5'9 200 lbs.

Claiborne is an exciting pick for a 6th rounder, can't wait to see him with the ball in space.

Claiborne is listed as 5'10" 188 lbs, Nelson was smaller at 5'9" 185.  Palmer was 5'8" 180.  Sprolles was 185 and Cohen was 179.

rf54 wrote:

NOBODY here could tackle this kid in a phone booth.   Years back David Palmer had a nice role on the Vikings, Darren Nelson was not big, just a few years ago we hated facing Tarik Cohen on the Bears and Darren Sproles on the Eagles.  Neither of them were over 185lbs.  Jahmer Gibbs is 5'9 200 lbs.

Claiborne is an exciting pick for a 6th rounder, can't wait to see him with the ball in space.

Claiborne is listed as 5'10" 188 lbs, Nelson was smaller at 5'9" 185.  Palmer was 5'8" 180.  Sprolles was 185 and Cohen was 179.

Percy Harvin

5'11

184

He actually reminds me of Darren Sproles. Man he is fast, but he definitely needs to bulk up those legs a bit, IMO. He has the wheels and the shiftiness. The difference is, Sproles had stronger legs and was built like a tank for a little guy.

It's seeing tape of kids like this that I never watched or heard of before this weekend that make me super excited to watch and see how fun the Vikings are going to be this year. Listening to the so-called experts, we are boom or bust and after living in AZ for the last several years and watching Kyler, I still have reservations about his work ethic, but I really did like him when we first drafted him and know he has talent up the wazoo. In reality, I think this has been the most fun I have had watching the draft as a Viking Fan for a long time. I am enjoying reading about our new prospects and after today, I can't wait to see if we found any gold in the UDFA market with the 19 guys they are looking at. LFG Vikings! SKOL!

StickierBuns wrote:

So help me, guys....why was he available so late? He looks really good. Shifty and super fast. Strong for his size. I don't get why he was still around? Not trying to be a downer at all on this pick, I love it.....just don't get why a talent like this lasted so long.
OverviewClaiborne is a twitched-up, elusive slasher who can turn minimal gains into explosive runs. He's creative in tight quarters, using lateral agility and sudden feet to escape trouble. While willing to run between the tackles, his lack of size and strength limits his effectiveness in that area. His unpredictable nature -- sometimes pulling runs off-track when profit is available -- might frustrate coaches, but it also generates unexpected chunk plays. He projects as a middle-round, change-of-pace option and complementary back who can inject much-needed juice into a dull, predictable running game.

1. Last years running back class was strong and massive.

2. This years class was considered weak

3. Next years class in considered strong again.

I think many teams punted RB this year thinking they don’t have a need or they can better utilize their picks next year. It doesn’t mean you can’t find really good talent. I heard some question if he is durable enough to handle a main role, which I don’t see as much issues ina complimentary role. The other is if going to be a 3rd down back he needs to improve his hands. In either case his strengths are better than many of the running backs we have drafted in the mid and late rounds. For a 6th rounder you have a legit shot at a starting running back or a backup. That’s insane value.

StickierBuns wrote:

complementary back who can inject much-needed juice into a dull, predictable running game.

Sounds like a perfect match for the Vikings.

JustInTime wrote:

We spent a 5th on a FB, I think he’s committed to running the ball.
Right?

So he sez

I liked this guy.....but I think I'll like Claiborne more:

“This was just not a particularly productive RB, even on a limited workload”

Is it over for RJ Harvey? pic.twitter.com/gayTrrbC76

— Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) May 1, 2026

You never know with late round picks. However with that being said - Claiborne intrigues me very much. The speed is legit. As of now I think he has the upperhand in RB3 and special teams duties. Now can be a KR/PR , he has a chance. Where are areas that need to improve - Vision - at times hit the wrong hole as do all running backs, improve route tree and hands, being able to maintain balance after contact. The size and durability may limit him from being a starting Tailback, however he brings a dimension to this backfield we didn't have.

I get really excited about the possibilities then calm myself down saying we have to wait and see what he can do. For a 6th round pick, he brings legit talent to the team that you generally can't find that late in the draft.

Too much caffeine this morning, I'm wired baby! Post dump alert!