Adrian Clayborn DE

Clayborn agreed to terms on a two-year, $12 million contract with New England on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Clayborn will be a welcomed addition to a Patriots defense that finished tied for the seventh-most sacks in 2017 with 42. The imposing defensive lineman is coming off a season in which he led the Falcons with 9.5 sacks, surpassing his previous career-best of 7.5 sacks from his rookie campaign. New England hopes that Clayborn can help set the edge in run support as well, with their defense surrendering over 4.6 yards per carry last season.

Clayborn racked up 21 tackles, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one touchdown over 16 games in 2017.

Clayborn smashed his previous career high of 7.5 sacks from his rookie season in 2011 en route to earning Pro Football Focus' eight-highest grade as a pass rusher among 4-3 defensive ends. He arguably had the best IDP performance of the season among all NFL defenders thanks to his Week 10 domination of the Cowboys when Reed racked up six sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. However, he wasn't a consistent fantasy option by any means considering he only netted three sacks over his 14 other games and also hasn't topped 22 tackles in any of his three seasons with Atlanta. Altogether, it's likely he'll be overvalued in 2018 drafts and should best be viewed as a middling IDP option among defensive linemen.

Clayborn (hamstring) is not listed on the Falcons' final injury report heading into Monday's game against the Buccaneers, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Clayborn missed Thursday's practice, but has subsequently practiced in limited fashion to close out the week. It looks like the exercising caution with their sack specialist. Look for him to resume his usual workload Sunday barring any setbacks.

Clayborn was absent from Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Clayborn presumably suffered the injury in last week's victory over the Saints. He recorded his team-high ninth sack in the contest. The severity of the injury is unknown at this time, as the team could have just been opting to exercise caution by keeping him sidelined Thursday. Thus, his status should continue to be monitored throughout the week.

Clayborn notched his ninth sack of the season in Thursday's win over the Saints.

The sack was his lone tackle of the game, and was his first sack since the six-sack explosion against the Cowboys in Week 10. The 29-year-old has only 19 tackles (17 solo) in 13 games this season, and has provided little IDP-value outside of the incredible performance against Dallas.