The Vikings’ ground game has been stuck in neutral through four weeks, but Week 5 brings a matchup that could finally give it a jolt. Against a New Orleans Saints defense that has struggled badly against the run, rookie Demond Claiborne has a real opening to make his mark.
Minnesota’s rushing numbers have been underwhelming in the broader picture. PFF has the Vikings 25th in running offense, and their offensive line sits 27th in run-block grade. Even so, the raw production is a little less bleak: the Vikings are 16th in total rushing yards and rushing yards per game.
Claiborne is the name that stands out as the potential difference-maker. Minnesota grabbed the Wake Forest back in the sixth round of this year’s draft after he put together a strong college career in Winston-Salem.
He made All-ACC in both 2024 and 2025, piled up 3,023 total scrimmage yards and 28 total touchdowns, and averaged 4.9 yards per touch. He also posted a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, and the speed showed up on film as much as it did in testing.
That same burst is what had scouts using one word over and over during the draft process: explosive. Claiborne was mostly quiet in the preseason, but he still flashed that trait, especially in camp.
The Vikings’ backfield situation makes the case even stronger. Jordan Mason’s Week 1 thumb injury sent him to injured reserve, and Minnesota has leaned harder on 31-year-old Aaron Jones Sr.
Jones has handled the extra work well, but the workload is heavy and he’s also dealing with a knee injury. With Mason not looking like a return candidate for the Saints game, the Vikings are trying to find ways to lighten Jones’ load.
They’ve added Audric Estime to the practice squad and DeeJay Dallas to the active roster.
Even with those moves, Claiborne remains the most intriguing answer if Minnesota wants a spark. New Orleans has been a mess against the run, ranking 30th in rushing yards allowed at 147.8 per game. The Saints were especially vulnerable last week against the Atlanta Falcons, when Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. combined for more than 200 yards and five rushing touchdowns.
The numbers get even uglier from there. According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Saints are in the bottom five in both yards per carry allowed and explosive run rate allowed to running backs. That sets up what looks like a prime chance for Kevin O’Connell and run-game specialist Frank Smith to put their rookie back to work.
Claiborne has the kind of speed that can turn one crease into a long gain, and that matters for an offense searching for a spark. With the matchup in front of them, this feels like the right time for the Vikings to give him more touches.
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