Demond Claiborne's draft profile shows why Chiefs have reported interest

There's a sentiment that the Chiefs might be done at running back for 2026 after the key signings of Kenneth Walker and Emari Demercado, with some potential growth from seventh-round pick Brashard Smith in Year 2. However, the Chiefs still have some risk at the position. Kenneth Walker has never played more than 50% of the snaps in his career, and despite that, he's still missed 10 games.

Emari Demercado is a nice addition as a third-down back and role player, but he's not a guy you want as a lead back, and we've not seen anything to suggest that Brashard Smith is that type of player either. The Chiefs are serious about upgrading their run game, and an investment in the draft with their five selections on Day 3 makes too much sense.

The Chiefs showed "heavy interest" in Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne per Fansided's Ryan Fowler. Is he an ideal fit for the Chiefs offense? Let's take a look.

To keep close tabs on the 2026 NFL Draft and the top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs, make sure to bookmark our Arrowhead Addict Big Board. Our custom big board is tailored toward the Chiefs’ needs and thresholds.

Demond Claiborne, Running Back, Wake Forest

1. Demond Claiborne's background
2. Demond Claiborne's strengths
3. Demond Claiborne's weaknesses
4. Why the Chiefs might have interest in Demond Claiborne

Demond Claiborne's background

Age: 22 (on draft day)

Height: 5-10

Weight: 188 LBS.

Hands: 9 inches

Arms: 30 1/8

Tape Exposure: Florida State (2025) Georgia Tech (2025) and Virginia Tech (2025)

Demond Claiborne attended King William High School in King William, Virginia. He was also a track athlete who ran several sub-11-second 100-meter dashes. Rated as a 4-star prospect by 247Sports, he was the 10th overall running back recruit in the nation in the 2022 class. He committed to Wake Forest out of high school, where he played his entire college career. He enters the draft with 3,023 all-purpose yards and 28 touchdowns, including 55 receptions and kick return experience as well.

Demond Claiborne's strengths

Speed and Acceleration

Sub-4.40 speed with twitchy, quick movement skills, able to shake defenders in the open field. Can bounce runs to the outside and make tacklers pay for bad angles.

Passing Production

55 career college receptions. Natural hands, and his size and speed make him an ideal change-of-pace or passing-down back with growth potential in pass protection.

Special Teams

Experienced kick returner with two return touchdowns. His speed and vision will make him a good fit for the NFL's kickoff rules.

Demond Claiborne's weaknesses

Lack of power

Lacks a power element to his game and struggles to break tackles. Not going to be super effective between the tackles at the next level.

Ball Security

Five fumbles in 2025 after not having any during the rest of his college career.

Smaller frame

Smaller stature could lead to injury risks at the next level and limit his ability to be anything more than a change-of-pace back.

Why the Chiefs might have interest in Demond Claiborne

The Chiefs have made it clear that getting explosive plays from their backfield is a major focus this offseason. So far, they've made good on that promise by bringing in Walker and Demercado. Claiborne brings more of the same explosiveness with more of a traditional running back background than Brashard Smith. At worst, he could be competition for Smith and a factor on special teams. At best, he could take over a passing-down role after Demercado.

Claiborne is a twitchy, elusive runner with explosive burst and lateral agility to create chunk plays and stress defenses in space. His lack of size, inconsistent tempo, and ball security concerns limit his reliability between the tackles and in pass-game duties. He projects as a middle-round change-of-pace back and return option who can add big-play juice.

Round Grade: Grey Chip (Day 3 prospect)

Shades of: Keaton Mitchell