New Vikings RB Compares Himself to New Orleans Villain Who Stole Christmas
Alvin Kamara came across as being quite similar to the Grinch on Christmas of 2020. His final stats were monstrous: 22 carries for 155 rushing yards and a whopping 6 touchdowns. Since nothing steals a defense’s soul quite like getting trampled in the ground game, Kamara stole more than just Christmas presents on that day.
The new Vikings RB, Demond Claiborne, wants to become like Mr. Kamara. “Alvin Kamara,” Claiborne explained, “was definitely a guy where I was like, the way he runs the ball, his contact balance, not being the biggest back but being able to slip out of tackles, get those extra few yards.”
He continues: “Being able to emulate my game after a guy like that […] is definitely something that I look forward to getting into the NFL and having my opportunity.”
The rookie runner is coming into the NFL as a 6th-Round selection. Expectations shouldn’t be sky-high but there’s optimism due to Claiborne’s wheels. The Demon Deacon offers crazy speed, something he showed off by running a 4.37. Seeing him mirror what Kamara can do will mean that Minnesota did remarkably well with the selection.
New Vikings RB: Demond Claiborne and Alvin Kamara
A basic side-by-side comparison helps to clarify what Claiborne is getting at:
Constraining the conversation to quite a basic criteria allows for being able to see the overlap. Both are smaller backs who offer similar size and athleticism. Neither got picked super high, though Kamara did arrive in the 3rd, a far loftier spot than the 6th.
But then there’s another angle: Demond Claiborne is name-dropping Kamara as someone he aspires to emulate. Think less of a perfect comparison and more as Kamara being someone to work toward becoming.
The veteran skill player has been in the NFL since 2017, doing his work with the Saints the entire time. He has twice been a second-team All Pro and has gone to the Pro Bowl five times. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year and has been in contention for Offensive Player of the year, finishing sixth in the 2020 season.
Somehow arriving at a career that even gets close to Kamara (much less equal or surpass) would mean that Demond Claiborne has been an overwhelming success. Working in his favor is his superior speed; working against him is his lighter weight. Can he arrive at similar stat production in the passing game?
Claiborne’s final college seasons demonstrate both promise and peril. Turning 179 carries into 907 ground yards means averaging an explosive 5.1 yards per carry. Even better is that he snagged 10 scores as a runner, an impressive total that he’ll look to replicate as a pro.
What’s a touch more discouraging is his receiving totals. Claiborne’s stats show 28 catches for 140 yards and 0 touchdowns. Crunch the numbers and that’s a 5.0 yards-per-reception average, less explosive than his normal run. Quite possibly, the receiving stats are more of an indictment on the approach of the Wake Forest offense and not the abilities of the young skill guy; after all, his 2024 featured 23 catches for 254 yards (11.0 yards-per-reception average) and 2 scores.
Anyone who wants to mirror Alvin Kamara needs to be an assassin when catching the football. Prove to be slippery, elusive, and stubbornly difficult to tackle. Seeing Claiborne become that player will mean that Minnesota walks away very pleased by the decision to scoop him up in the 6th.
More broadly, the Vikings’ running back room boasts Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason as the top options. Neither appears likely to give ground easily as it relates to touches, but injuries do arrive at a position as physically demanding as running back.
Demond Claiborne, 22, will look to ensure he’s ready to roll whenever he gets the chance.
