2026 Free Agency and Draft: RB

Really wish that we still had our 4th round pick.

Knucklehead wrote:
Really wish that we still had our 4th round pick.

Me too. But to get a 4th rounder we need only trade down two slots in the 1st round. 18 to 20 would do it.

MaroonBells wrote:

Claiborne's burst is video-game like. I think along with Corey Coleman and Emmett Johnson, the Vikings will have a lot of interest in Claiborne.

This is the guy I keep coming back to. If we don’t land Coleman or Price, who mildly disappointed me at the Combine, I’m banging the table for Claiborne. Lateral agility is otherworldly. About the same size as Achane. If Frank Smith loves him, I find a way.

JustInTime wrote:

This is the guy I keep coming back to. If we don’t land Coleman or Price, who mildly disappointed me at the Combine, I’m banging the table for Claiborne. Lateral agility is otherworldly. About the same size as Achane. If Frank Smith loves him, I find a way.

More and more moc's I'm seeing have the Vikings with Price at 49...I'd be cool with that cause I dont think Jones makes it through another season again - but luv having him in the locker room and I think he can help KM too. 

I'm glad you mention Smith...I think he was an under the radar addition.

I have hope he layers the Vikings offense more and solidifies running the ball better too. Plugging the hole at C and a healthy CD will certainly help too.

purplefaithful wrote:

More and more moc's I'm seeing have the Vikings with Price at 49...I'd be cool with that cause I dont think Jones makes it through another season again - but luv having him in the locker room and I think he can help KM too. 

I'm glad you mention Smith...I think he was an under the radar addition.

I have hope he layers the Vikings offense more and solidifies running the ball better too. Plugging the hole at C and a healthy CD will certainly help too.

To me, Smith was a huge addition. I think we really missed Udinski last year. Smith might bring some really different looks in the run game. Loved what Miami used to do a couple years with all the movement and deception they brought in the blocking scheme and ball handling. 

I’m not mad if we go with Price at 49. Excellent KR. He came in a tad smaller and slower than I thought he’d be, but the tape is good. Maybe one Price for KOs and the other Price for PR and a little more reps at WR. 

Like safety, there’s a multitude of Cs I like. Slaughter is my favorite but there’s a half dozen guys we could land that would work. There’s a kid from Michigan State that just caught my eye today that needs a longer look.

JustInTime wrote:

To me, Smith was a huge addition. I think we really missed Udinski last year. Smith might bring some really different looks in the run game. Loved what Miami used to do a couple years with all the movement and deception they brought in the blocking scheme and ball handling. 

I’m not mad if we go with Price at 49. Excellent KR. He came in a tad smaller and slower than I thought he’d be, but the tape is good. Maybe one Price for KOs and the other Price for PR and a little more reps at WR. 

Like safety, there’s a multitude of Cs I like. Slaughter is my favorite but there’s a half dozen guys we could land that would work. There’s a kid from Michigan State that just caught my eye today that needs a longer look.

I think McCarthy really missed Udinski last year...

purplefaithful wrote:

I think McCarthy really missed Udinski last year...

When he left I said he’d be interviewing for HC slots in two years. I was off by one. Absolutely a rising star and an absolute mistake not promoting him while keeping Bum’s kid in place.

Looking through some old videos and this one of #PSU RB Nick Singleton chip blocking Gabe Jacas and making a catch out of the backfield is a glimpse of the skill set he brings to the NFL. https://t.co/utRJBNom7g

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) April 6, 2026

The RB I’m actually pretty high on is Kaytron Allen. You can get him in round 5 ish unless a team surprises and takes him in the 4th. Workhorse back that can break tackles and blocks decent. Patient runner that’s strong with size. Some will say we have Mason already. So? Allen is more talented and rushed for 5 yards a carry. Can catch out the backfield. He’s a RB I really like. Not to mention, he stays on the field and doesn’t have injury concern

https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/article/penn-state-football-running-back-kaytron-allen-nick-singleton-curious-case-255936317/

Kaytron Allen all day long over Singleton. Allen is truly the all around back. Would love him in Purple somehow. Demond Claiborne I like as well.

Love @dpbrugler description of Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne, who is a serious option for the #Vikings on day 3.

"Low-calorie De'Von Achane" - exactly the change of pace that Minnesota's backfield needs. pic.twitter.com/1aAiJS5yRp

— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) April 8, 2026

Dane sees the Achane comp as well. Frank Smith, are you listening?

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/vikesvv/status/2041891814228013408?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Dane sees the Achane comp as well. Frank Smith, are you listening?

Claiborne's burst is cartoonish. I think I'd rather take a guy like him on day three than burn a 2nd rounder on Price. I think the Vikings like the Husker. Not sure why I think that but I do. They'll have to teach him how to pass block.

"low man wins"

- Jonah Coleman pic.twitter.com/RVTEcfxlbN

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 10, 2026

Hello.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/joshnorris/status/2042666938539647229?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Hello.

That's my guy. Watched more of him this morning to see if I "really" liked him more than Price. And yes, I do.

The #Vikings have done “a ton of homework” on Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne, @Jordan_Reid mentioned via the @AlecLewisShow.

“He’s somebody that I’ve heard they like quite a bit. Crazy enough, my comp for him is Aaron Jones, so it makes sense.” pic.twitter.com/DxmRMlb4uS

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 10, 2026

Giddy fucking up.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2042740600563204177?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Giddy fucking up.

I've heard Aaron Jones comps before with Claiborne. Similar in size maybe and as a pass catcher, but Claiborne's speed and burst is on another level.

MaroonBells wrote:

I've heard Aaron Jones comps before with Claiborne. Similar in size maybe and as a pass catcher, but Claiborne's speed and burst is on another level.

I think Achane is the closer comp. The lateral agility is crazy.

JustInTime wrote:

I think Achane is the closer comp. The lateral agility is crazy.

Agree that Achane is a better comp for Claiborne. You know who reminds me of Aaron Jones? Jadarian Price.

I am dangerously high on Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne

Firmly in my top 5 RBs pic.twitter.com/llLVYNQvrO

— Nico (@elitetakes_) April 11, 2026

Nick Singleton is an unreal athlete https://t.co/uKeUpi9Top

— Football Analysis (@FBallAnalysisYT) April 13, 2026

His senior year was confounding. I’ve been waiting for months to hear he was playing with a non disclosed injury or something. Completely different player as a junior. Definitely outshone by Allen last year. I just don’t get it.

JustInTime wrote:
His senior year was confounding. I’ve been waiting for months to hear he was playing with a non disclosed injury or something. Completely different player as a junior. Definitely outshone by Allen last year. I just don’t get it.

I don't like either one very much right now. I might change my mind but I would take Love, Price, Coleman, Johnson and even Claiborne before Allen, Singleton and Washington.