The Patriots made a big splash in free agency on Friday, reaching an agreement with the veteran defensive end Adrian Clayborn, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. The player made the announcement on Friday via Instagram.
It is a two-year deal with a maximum value of $12.5MM, according to Schefter (Twitter link).
New England can use all the pass rush help it can get, as the club ranked 31st in adjusted sack rate a year ago. Clayborn can help with that, as the 29-year-old managed a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2017. However, Clayborn famously posted six of those sacks in one game against overpowered Cowboys left tackle Chaz Green.
Earlier in free agency, Pro Football Rumors listed help along the front seven as the most pressing need for the Patriots entering the 2018 offseason. It’s safe to say they began to fulfill that need on Friday with this signing.
With the move, Clayborn will slide in as a starter at defensive end, joining, among others, Lawrence Guy, Malcom Brown, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Trey Flowers on the Patriots’ front four depth chart.
A first-round selection in 2011, Clayborn spent four seasons in Tampa Bay making 13 sacks. He missed nearly two full campaigns with injuries. He moved to Atlanta and became a solid contributor on the Falcons defensive front, helping them reach Super Bowl LI against his new team.
[RELATED: Patriots Depth Chart]
My man got paid for one great game…..
But oh, what a game…
You can’t say that till we see what the money is
Who knows what he got paid. Details aren’t out yet
I agree. Clayborn is probably a solid rotational player on the d-line, and maybe even a low end starter, but he is definitely being paid for that one game against Dallas.
Don’t forget Danny Shelton is apart of that front four, Flowers, Shelton, Brown, Clayborn that’s a lot better than last years front four
And Wise seems like he’s not bad. If he can progress a little that’s a solid group.
Love the move by the patriots. Always liked Adrian Clayborn and what he brings to the table
2 years and 12 Mil is not a bad deal for either side.
Agreed
Hate it.
Love this. Such a quality add. Pats like always find the best deals in fa and rarely over pay.
Everyone is forgetting about the Derek Rivers rookie we had that had the acl injury if he recovers well he can be a decent edge rusher
And there’s still the draft