Clayborn big piece for ‘D’
Pats also add RB Hill
The Patriots continued to restock their defense yesterday.
Defensive end Adrian Clayborn, viewed among the best pass rushers in free agency, agreed to join the AFC champions last night after a fruitful visit to Gillette Stadium, according to a source.
The two sides hit it off throughout the day, and momentum built during the afternoon to align the forces.
Prior to the signing, the Patriots had about $20 million in salary cap room, according to NFLPA records. They had money to spend after losing left tackle Nate Solder to the Giants on Wednesday, and Clayborn would project to start across from Trey Flowers. Deatrich Wise, Derek Rivers and Eric Lee will also be in the rotation on the edge, along with linebackers Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Shea McClellin and Harvey Langi.
After surrendering points on eight of 10 possessions in a Super Bowl LII loss to the Eagles, the Patriots have added defensive tackle Danny Shelton, cornerback Jason McCourty and Clayborn to the mix. They also hosted cornerback Delvin Breaux yesterday on a visit, according to a source.
Clayborn, a firstround pick in 2011, had a career-high 9.5 sacks last season with Atlanta, albeit with six in one game. Clayborn is also versatile enough to play inside in sub packages and has a reputation for playing hard and creating pressure in a variety of ways.
The meeting with Breaux was primarily designed to check his medical situation, as the former Saint has dealt with a host of injuries during his years on the field, and it sounded like he is healthy enough to play.
However, Breaux returned to his home in New Orleans without an offer. If the Patriots were indeed comfortable with his physical and decide to make a pitch, Breaux would certainly be interested in joining the five-time Super Bowl champions, and he would compete with McCourty, Eric Rowe and Jonathan Jones for reps along with top corner Stephon Gilmore. Breaux visited with the Broncos on Thursday, but didn’t receive an offer and doesn’t have any additional visits on the docket, so there isn’t much competition for his services.
The Pats weren’t solely focused on defense. They reportedly agreed to sign former Bengals running back Jeremy Hill, who rushed for 2,757 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first three seasons before tumbling down the depth chart and getting injured last year.
The Patriots signed offensive lineman Matt Tobin as well, according to a source. The ex-Seahawk could add depth at tackle or guard. The Patriots have remained in touch with tackles LaAdrian Waddle and Cameron Fleming, who are gauging their opportunities elsewhere.
The Pats did lose special teamer and cornerback Johnson Bademosi, who signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Texans. The Patriots weren’t going to concede that type of cash to a backup when McCourty is on the books for a $3 million cap hit in 2018.
Aside from Waddle and Fleming, the Patriots’ remaining unsigned free agents include special teams captain Matthew Slater, defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois and linebackers Marquis Flowers and James Harrison.
It’s unclear why there’d ever be a holdup between the Patriots and Slater, but there has been optimism the two sides would continue their decadelong partnership. Jean Francois announced prior to free agency that he’d sign elsewhere, and Harrison doesn’t appear to be in a rush to sign anywhere, according to a source. Flowers, like Waddle and Cannon, is weighing his options.
Elsewhere, linebacker Preston Brown signed a one-year contract with the Bengals after expressing loads of interest in joining the Patriots. However, the Pats never reciprocated Brown’s sentiment, according to a source.
Other intriguing free agents include running backs Darren Sproles and Danny Woodhead, offensive lineman Justin Pugh, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, tight end Eric Ebron, defensive end Vinny Curry, linebacker NaVorro Bowman and safety Kenny Vaccaro.
Now three full days into free agency, the Patriots have added three key defensive pieces, and they’ve got room for more in the near future.