The Houston Texans’ backfield could look very different in 2026. With veteran running back Joe Mixon nearing the end of his prime, the franchise may turn to the NFL Draft to secure its next offensive weapon. One name already drawing serious attention is Demond Claiborne, a lightning-fast playmaker from Wake Forest with a knack for finding the end zone, and he could be the perfect solution for Houston’s future.
Could Demond Claiborne Become the Texans’ Next Offensive Weapon?
Explosive plays and high-end athleticism define Demond Claiborne’s path to the NFL. The Wake Forest senior is listed at 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds. While he does not have a bruising frame, his elite speed and versatility have earned early-round buzz from analysts who view him as a potential Day 2 candidate in the 2026 NFL Draft.
His profile invites comparisons to Miami’s De’Von Achane, thanks to a “lightning in a bottle” element that shows up as a runner, receiver, and returner. That big-play ability is backed by solid production.
Across 35 career games, Claiborne has logged 404 carries for 1,939 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. He also added 37 receptions for 315 yards and two receiving scores, bringing his career total to 2,254 scrimmage yards and 22 touchdowns.
His breakout campaign came during his junior year in 2024, when he rushed 228 times for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding 23 catches for 254 yards. Claiborne started the 2025 season strong, averaging an incredible 9.9 yards per carry with four touchdowns in his first three games, highlighted by a three-touchdown, 193-yard performance against Western Carolina.
Will Durability Concerns Affect His Draft Stock?
However, questions linger about his long-term durability against NFL-level physicality. He is the only running back on this watch list under 200 pounds. Although he handled the workload well in 2024, carrying the ball at least 17 times in 10 of 12 games, his usage has been different in 2025, with just 25 carries through the first three games.
His recent form has also shown some variance. PFSN’s Oliver Hodgkinson reported that NC State held Claiborne to just 35 rushing yards at 2.9 yards per carry. That performance marked his lowest rate since the middle of the 2024 season and his lowest yardage total on double-digit attempts in nearly a year.
Even with that recent blip, the scouting outlook on Claiborne remains strong. PFSN’s Ian Cummings said, “Demond Claiborne is one of the highest rated prospects in this game.” Cummings added, “He’s no doubt fast enough and explosive enough within his mold, but his superpower is his hyper elite change of direction, transition balance, and recalibration ability through contact.”
For a Texans offense that may soon need to plan for life after Mixon, Claiborne’s game-changing burst and ability to create space give him a clear Day 2 appeal. If he sustains his big-play rate throughout the 2025 season, Houston could target him as a seamless successor who brings immediate juice to its backfield.