There probably isn’t a pass-rushing free agent on this planet the New York Giants aren’t interested in, and Adrian Clayborn, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons, is no different. The Dallas Cowboys are also in the picture.
Clayborn, 27, was a first round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2011 but played just 36 games for them in four seasons (two full seasons, two injury-riddles seasons) posting 13 sacks. In 2015 he joined the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year deal, playing all 16 games for them (only 5 as a starter), posting three sacks. He made $3 million last season, and although the Falcons haven’t released him, he’s likely to test free agency and see what his value is out there.
The Giants have been connected to pretty much every big-name and smaller-name pass rusher hitting free agency or those that have been released. Charles Johnson has come in for a visit. Mario Williams is on his way. Tamba Hali and Bruce Irvin might get there at some point. But it’s not all about the big expensive signings, as the Giants need a major overhaul in their front four, and signing someone like Clayborn, who isn’t going to cost a lot of money, is a nice way to solidify things and add depth and not just star power.
And when it comes to saving money, the Cowboys are all for it. Unlike the Giants, they’re quite limited in terms of spending power, as usual, which just goes to show that someone isn’t thinking ahead too much most of the time, be it Jerry Jones or anyone else under his employment. Clayborn signed a deal last season that was only guaranteed for $750,000, but after staying healthy through 2015, he’ll probably be looking for a bit more guaranteed money this time.
The Cowboys are going to need more than just one new defensive end as Greg Hardy has probably played his last game for them, while Randy Gregory is going to be suspended for the first four games of 2016, putting the Cowboys once more in a situation where they’re waiting for a key player to come back from suspension early in the season.