Patriots Sign DE Adrian Clayborn

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 BrownDeatrich 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]

 

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