2026 Free Agency and Draft: RB
I think I'd add Wake Forest's Demond Claiborne to this list linked below. This class doesn't have the depth of last year's class, but right now it seems there are 7 RBs that I'd be pretty happy with: Love, Price, Coleman, Johnson, Washington, Claiborne and Singleton. While I loved Singleton the first time I put him on (he's the best physical specimen in this class) his poor final season does cause some concern.
Still, unless we bring back Aaron Jones, and I doubt we do, we need a starter on day one, so I think this could be a position where we tap into the free agency market. Breece Hall, Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker III all free agents, with Etienne the most likely to hit the market IMO.
https://youtube.com/shorts/SG2o8GS_NJg?si=jv0ga4OyijBISGVh
StickierBuns wrote:
Ryan Fowler
@_RyanFowler_
·
25m
Source: The Minnesota Vikings are hosting Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne for a 30 visit.Dynamic ball-carrier ran 4.37 in Indy & was a two-time All-ACC selection. 907 rushing yds & 10 TDs in ‘25.
Ty Chandler ran 4.39 and had 1092 rushing for 13 TD's in '21. That went well. Does Claiborne show some knowledge of blocking so he can stay on the field on passing downs?
Jonah Coleman is a FREAK athlete😳
— Bando (@BandoKnowsBall) March 17, 2026
Here our some of his best college highlights: pic.twitter.com/571wIZ46n2
Ty Chandler ran 4.39 and had 1092 rushing for 13 TD's in '21. That went well. Does Claiborne show some knowledge of blocking so he can stay on the field on passing downs?
If a main concern for a new RB is pass protection, you're going to end up with a lesser than RB. Its a nice attribute, but farther down the list for sure. And some guys pick it up well with some NFL coaching, so its hard to know.
The funny thing with Chandler is he's averaging almost 4.0 yards a carry, scored 3 TDs and he's caught 30 balls for Minnesota.
Dolphins reportedly shopping RB De'Von Achane. 5-9, 191, 4.3 speed. 2026 is a contract year. Still on rookie deal.
De'Von Achane trade destinations:
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 17, 2026
-The rest of the NFL is absolutely fucked: Seahawks
-That is a fast, fun, backfield and I love it: Commanders
-That is a fast, fun, short, backfield and I love it: Vikings
-Holy shit that's actually a great idea: Bears
-Let's run the ball every…
Dolphins reportedly shopping RB De'Von Achane. 5-9, 191, 4.3 speed. 2026 is a contract year. Still on rookie deal.
Miami Herald columnist Omar Kelly thinks that's what's going to happen, writing this on X on Tuesday after the Waddle trade:
"Jaylen Waddle was traded to Denver for a first and a third. That’s good value even though it’s a low-round first and a third. Don’t be surprised if De’Von Achane is traded too. This thing is going to the studs."
MaroonBells wrote:
Dolphins reportedly shopping RB De'Von Achane. 5-9, 191, 4.3 speed. 2026 is a contract year. Still on rookie deal.
I heard the asking price for Achane is a lot.
StickierBuns wrote:
Miami Herald columnist Omar Kelly thinks that's what's going to happen, writing this on X on Tuesday after the Waddle trade:
"Jaylen Waddle was traded to Denver for a first and a third. That’s good value even though it’s a low-round first and a third. Don’t be surprised if De’Von Achane is traded too. This thing is going to the studs."
If Miami was just going to drop their skirts and go all out for Manning, why even sign WIllis? lol
Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter
·
3m
Sources: Teams that have called the Miami Dolphins to inquire about trading for Pro-Bowl RB De’Von Achane have been told that he is not available.
"Minnesota huh? That would be nice... [Justin Jefferson], best receiver in the league."
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) March 18, 2026
Running through some potential team fits with Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price 👀@Jadarian15 | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/9bgtpTzZc8
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
My first impression of EJ was mixed. Wasn't impressed with his patience at the LOS, which was supposed to be one of his strengths, and I thought he danced too much at the 2nd level looking for the big gain over forward yardage. But the more I watched the more I liked. Right now I have him just under Love and Coleman and above Price.
The #Vikings are hosting Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson for a pre-draft visit in April, sources tell me and @JasonHarmonNFL.
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) March 26, 2026
Johnson is ranked as PFF’s No. 137 overall prospect, but there has been league-wide buzz that he could be a Day 2 player. pic.twitter.com/ybQ7mpMseP
If we got Emmett Johnson at 97 I'd be happy. Put up 200+ yards vs Iowa.
Canthony wrote:
I heard the asking price for Achane is a lot.
StickierBuns wrote:
Sources: Teams that have called the Miami Dolphins to inquire about trading for Pro-Bowl RB De’Von Achane have been told that he is not available.
Frank Smith in the House to Help Fix the Rushing Offense
Down in Miami, Mike McDaniel ran the show for four years, with Frank Smith as his close lieutenant and offensive coordinator. Together, they coordinated an efficient Dolphins rushing offense, sparked by newcomer De’Von Achane in 2023.
Now, in Minnesota (as assistant head coach), the Vikings need the same juice — Smith’s help to identify the best running back from the upcoming rookie class.
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/vikings-best-kept-secrets-2026-offseason
De'Von Achane was selected in the third round, pick 84, of the 2023 draft. The Vikings have picks 82 and 97 (Sam Darnold comp pick) in the third round of this year's draft.
Vikings have 3 Top 30 visits lined up with RBs. Pretty good chance they draft a RB in the first four rounds https://t.co/5jkfktWDXn
— Warren Ludford (@wludford) March 31, 2026
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.
[twitter]https://x.com/wludford/status/2038822368114528421?s=20[/twitter]
Always the plan: a RB for 2026 in the Draft. 100%. And so was bringing back Aaron Jones, who will be an amazing mentor for a rookie RB.
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.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
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.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
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.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
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...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.