The Patriots agreed to terms with free agent defensive end Adrian Clayborn. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but the former Atlanta Falcon finished with 9.5 sacks last season. Six of those sacks came in one game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The 6-3 280 pound Clayborn can play both the five technique and nine technique defensive end spots. Clayborn is primarily a power rusher but he is also a long strider who can cover a lot of ground on the snap. He wins with one on one’s with length.

Clayborn will help bolster the Patriots pass rush but he is not the double digit speed rusher they need on the outside. He fits the Patriots scheme well because he can set an edge and gap control but he is not the explosive pass rusher New England lacks.

Clayborn will play start when the Patriots are in a 40 front. He can play in 30 fronts as well but he will need to be in a shade alignment. He is not your prototypical two gap defensive end. He is not big enough to control two gaps, read a hat and release. That is not his game. Clayborn is best served coming off the edge, reading the play and getting into his pursuit angle.

Signing Clayborn fills a void at defensive end but I am not sure he is the impact pass rusher New England desperately needs to add juice to a nonexistent pass rush.