Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne isn’t a widely talked about name in the draft community; however, that’s about to change on Saturday with his workouts at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Claiborne's impressive speed and mobility will be on display for countless scouts, especially in the 40-yard dash. He’s an intriguing day three option who would be an explosive threat and valuable special teams contributor for the New Orleans.
Claiborne will most likely have the fastest 40 time of any running back. He’s not a big player, only standing at 5-foot-9, 192 pounds, but is lightning in a bottle. He has the desired combination of rapid acceleration and elite speed. Be prepared to frequently hear about Claiborne's name during workouts.
Claiborne thrives when in open space. He won’t run through contact often, but if he finds an open gap he’s gone. Defenders are unable to keep up in pursuit, even when they have a superior angle. Because of this, Claiborne is a constant big play threat that the defense must pay attention to.
Demond Claiborne’s explosiveness is needed on the Saints offense
The Saints are severely lacking a dynamic threat at running back. This was evident during the 2025 season. Audric Estime, a pure power back, had their longest run at 32 yards. This doesn’t sound bad on paper, but that was the furthest run by a Saints running back since Christmas day in 2020. This is unacceptable and something the team must fix heading into next season.
This makes a pure speedster like Claiborne an enticing option on day three. He’s not an every-down back as he struggles against contact and while blocking. However, he would thrive as a change of pace player who can stretch the defense out.
Demond Claiborne is still a relatively unknown prospect, but that will change on Saturday. He’s going to run a blazing fast 40-yard dash and put his name on the map. He would be an amazing fit for the Saints on day three of the NFL Draft with his elite speed and agility.