Iowa football: Adrian Clayborn’s career beginning to wind down

Former Iowa football player Adrian Clayborn has had a lengthy, yet somewhat unspectacular ride in the NFL, and it could be coming to a close soon.

After a stellar career with the Iowa football program, Adrian Clayborn became one of just a handful of first round picks in the Kirk Ferentz era, and while he hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations that come with being a first-round defensive end, he’s had a solid career thus far. Unfortunately, that could be coming to an end sooner rather than later.

Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 20th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Clayborn got off to a great start in his rookie season totaling 7.5 sacks and 42 combined tackles, but the injury bug hit him hard. Over the following three seasons, Clayborn played in a combined 20 games with 16 of those coming in in 2013.

Tampa decided to let the big fella go, and he caught on with Atlanta where he enjoyed a successful tenure as a spot starter even racking up a career-high 9.5 sacks during the 2017 season. After signing with the Patriots, however, Clayborn’s production saw quite a dip.

Last season Clayborn posted his lowest sack total (2.5) and tackles total (11) of his career while playing in all 16 games and was subsequently released by New England this offseason. Although, he did manage to snag a Super Bowl ring in the process.

Clayborn is now back with the Falcons, and unless he can experience some sort of career resurgence, his NFL career is likely coming to a close in the near future. If there is one spot he could though, it’s Atlanta. Head coach Dan Quinn is a defensive mastermind, and the Falcons are light on edge rushers after refusing to address the position in the first two days of the NFL Draft this year.

Atlanta was 22nd last year in sacks with 37, and to this point, former first-rounder Vic Beasley has been a disappointment. Outside of his 15 sack outburst in his sophomore season, Beasley has never managed to top 5 sacks in a season. If he struggles again this season, we could see Clayborn get more time than expected in pass rushing situations.

If Beasley does well though and Atlanta’s 2019 fourth-round draft pick John Cominsky adjusts to the NFL quicker than anticipated, Clayborn’s butt could be glued to the bench and the former All-American and 2x All-Big Ten player’s career could come to an end at the conclusion of the season.

My projection for Clayborn is 3 sacks and 17 tackles.