Adrian Clayborn Floated as FA Possibility for Vikings at Defensive End
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings will enter the 2021 season sheepishly on defense, licking wounds inflicted from the worst defensive season the franchise has encountered since 2013 — the year prior to Mike Zimmer’s arrival.
Aside from 3rd Down efficiency, the Vikings defense during the pandemic season was awful, creating losses for the team in games that the offense was somewhat stellar. It was an odd turn of events for a squad run by Zimmer, a coach outwardly known for preaching defense, defense, and more defense.
The 2021 Vikings are refurbished on defense though, adding free-agent names like Patrick Peterson, Dalvin Tomlinson, Xavier Woods, Nick Vigil, Mackensie Alexander, and Stephen Weatherly. The free-agent segment of the offseason was singularly focused on defense. As of June 1, no new offensive free agents have joined the 2021 team.
Another name might be on the way — or should at least be entertained, says Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. Minnesota has a fresh $14-15 million to spend on free agents as Kyle Rudolph’s contract is now fully off the ledger. And, the depth chart could stand to host a prominent EDGE rusher opposite Danielle Hunter. Knox thinks that man is Adrian Clayborn. In his analysis for Bleacher Report, he announced 32 players that should sign with each NFL team. For the Vikings, he’s on board with Clayborn. Knox wrote:
“Poor defense prevented the Minnesota Vikings from being a playoff contender in 2020. The team ranked 29th in points allowed, 25th in passing yards allowed and 27th in rushing yards allowed and generated just 23 sacks. While it brought in free agents Patrick Peterson and Dalvin Tomlinson, it didn’t draft a defender until the third round. Minnesota is light on cap space with $6.7 million, so signing a marquee free agent is probably not in the cards. Signing a budget-friendly role player like Adrian Clayborn, however, would make a ton of sense. Clayborn has played for three different teams over the last three seasons and last signed a two-year, $5.8 million deal. He was released by the Browns one year into that deal despite being a valuable rotational player. In 2020, Clayborn played 38 percent of the defensive snaps but finished with 12 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 15 quarterback pressures. He could provide Minnesota with a nice piece of pass-rushing depth at a cap-friendly price. This wouldn’t be a blockbuster move, but it’s one the Vikings should make.“
Despite his 1st-Round stock from the 2011 NFL Draft, Clayborn’s 10-year career to date has been that of a role player. He’s played for four teams, partaken in 125 football games, and started in 53 of those. The only time that he was a true-blue starter was eight years ago, 2013, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Clayborn spent last season with the upstart Cleveland Browns and former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski — who took the big job in Cleveland about 17 months ago. Clayborn saw action on 38% of all defensive snaps, laying stake to 3.5 sacks, 12 total tackles, and a 59.8 Pro Football Focus grade.
The University of Iowa alumnus is mostly known amid the last few years as a pass-rushing commodity. He would not be the type of player to end all questions at Minnesota’s RDE spot, instead crowding the field of an EDGE rusher room already filled with Stephen Weatherly, D.J. Wonnum, Patrick Jones II, Jayln Holmes, Kenny Willekes, and Jordan Brailford.
Other free agent EDGE rushers that are available — if general manager Rick Spielman is not interested in Clayborn — include Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram, and Everson Griffen.