Flowery Branch, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - The Atlanta Falcons continued to make over their defense on Thursday's third day of free agency, with the club agreeing to terms with end Adrian Clayborn and cornerback Phillip Adams.
Clayborn, a 2011 first-round pick of Tampa Bay, recorded 13 sacks in 36 games with the Buccaneers but missed large portions of two of his first four NFL seasons due to injury. The 26-year-old tore his biceps in last year's season opener and was subsequently placed on injured reserve, while a knee problem limited him to just three games in 2012.
In his last full healthy season, Clayborn posted 64 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks while starting all 16 games for the Bucs in 2013.
Clayborn will be asked to boost an Atlanta pass rush that managed just 22 sacks last season, tied for the third-fewest in the league. The former Iowa standout joins linebackers Brooks Reed and Justin Durant as new additions on the defensive side.
Adams will be joining his sixth team since entering the NFL as a seventh-round choice of San Francisco in 2010. The 26-year-old spent last season with the New York Jets and started four times while finishing the campaign with 24 tackles and one interception in 12 contests.
Over 65 career games with the 49ers, New England, Seattle, Oakland and the Jets, Adams has compiled 90 tackles, four interceptions and 11 passes defensed.
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