The backbone of Claiborne's game is his raw speed (4.37 40 time). He's a linear runner that can stomp the gas and manage explosive runs with this speed. Claiborne isn't a twitchy player, though. Especially for a smaller back, he struggles with change of direction and has to utilize choppy steps to do so. Claiborne's vision isn't great. He lacks the patience at times to allow running lanes and blocks to develop in front of him. He routinely misses cutback lanes. He should be tasked with gap runs in the NFL that give him a well-defined running lane and allow him to get upfield quickly. He was just utilized as a checkdown option in college. He was mainly tasked with dump-offs and flat routes. He doesn't have a trusty set of hands. In his final collegiate season, he had five fumbles and six drops. Claiborne struggles as a blocker. In pass pro, Claiborne's size and lack of play strength show up. He's unable to anchor or move incoming rushers out of the pocket. If he's on the field in the NFL in passing down situations, he'll be best deployed by running routes. Last year, with 42 pass blocking snaps, he allowed four hurries and four pressures. Dynasty Outlook: The slender speedster was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft by the Vikings. He enters a depth chart led by Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones. Jones hasn't been the picture of health over the last few years in the NFL, so it's possible at some point that Claiborne could be operating as Mason's complement at some point in the 2026 NFL season. I'm not high on Claiborne as a player. The speed is real, but he's not an illustrious tackle breaker, and the size will limit his volume even if he is active and garnering touches at some point this season. He's a fourth-round/final-round selection in rookie drafts that can be easily stashed on a taxi squad.
by in Fantasy1 wk ago