New England Patriots: Grading recent free agent signings
Defensive End; Adrian Clayborn
The Patriots had trouble generating a consistent pass rush last season. Their offseason moves for Kony Ealy and Cassius Marsh did not pan out. Ealy didn’t even make it to the regular season with New England, while Marsh lasted nine games. The Patriots know they need better depth this season, and Adrian Clayborn will help provide that.
Clayborn is coming off a career season with the Atlanta Falcons. He recorded a career-high 9.5 sacks. One caveat to that is that six came against the Dallas Cowboys, who were without All-Pro left tackle, Tyron Smith. Regardless, getting six sacks in one game is impressive.
Despite having only three sacks the rest of the season, Clayborn graded out well on Pro Football Focus. He was the No. 19 overall edge rusher in the NFL with a grade of 85.5. His pass rushing grade of 87.2 ranked him 14th.
While Clayborn was good as a pass rusher, he struggled in run defense. His 56.1 grade in run defense ranked him 86th out of 111. That isn’t good, but the Patriots have enough run stuffers that Patriots can use Clayborn in a rotational role, playing to his strengths.
Learning the Patriots defensive scheme is not an easy thing to do. New England is hoping that Clayborn has better luck than Ealy and Marsh had last season. Finding another pass rushing threat alongside Trey Flowers was near the top of New England’s to-do list this offseason, and Clayborn could be that piece, for a relatively cheap price.
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