The Falcons continued making moves in free agency on Thursday by picking up CB Phillip Adams.
The Atlanta Falcons today announced that they have agreed to terms with cornerback Phillip Adams and defensive end Adrian Clayborn.
Adams, 5-11, 195 pounds, was originally selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round (224th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft out of South Carolina State. He has spent time with the 49ers, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, and New York Jets during his career. Adams saw action in 12 contests with four starts, recording 20 tackles, one interception, and four passes defensed in 2014 with the Jets.
Prior to joining the Jets in 2014, Adams spent two seasons with the Raiders. In 2013, he saw action in 16 games with two starts and totaled 27 tackles (23 solo) and one pass defensed while adding eight punt returns for 59 yards (7.4 yards per return). He recorded 12 tackles (10 solo), two interceptions, and five passes defensed in 15 games, including two starts, in 2012. He split time with the Patriots and Seahawks in 2011, seeing action in six games for New England and one game with Seattle. Adams played in 15 games as a core member of the 49ers special teams units during his rookie season in 2010.
The Falcons agreed to terms with DE Adrian Clayborn on Thursday during the third day of free agency.
Adams played in 42 games in four years at South Carolina State. He earned a first-team All-MEAC selection and led team to a 10-2 record as a senior in 2009. Adams finished senior season with 48 tackles and a team-high 11 passes defensed. He led the team with five interceptions as a junior and also served as a punt returner.
Clayborn, 6-3, 280 pounds, was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (20th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Iowa. He has started all 36 games in which he has played, tallying 121 total tackles (72 solo) with 13.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and one pass defensed. Clayborn played in one game in 2014 before being placed on injured reserve.
Clayborn started all 16 games and recorded a career-high with 64 tackles, including 19 for loss, six sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2013. His 19 tackles for loss that season ranked fourth in the NFL behind DE Robert Quinn (23), DE J.J. Watt (22), and LB Lavonte David (20). Additionally, his 14.5 run stuffs tied for the NFL lead, with David and Watt, according to STATS, LLC. Clayborn started the first three games of the 2012 season before seeing the year cut short by injury. As a rookie in 2011, Clayborn started all 16 games and posted 54 tackles (26 solo), 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
The St. Louis, Missouri native was a two-time team captain that started in 37 of 50 games played, including his last 30 games during his Iowa career (2007-10). He recorded 192 tackles to go with 19 sacks, 37.5 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery while earning All-Big Ten honors following his junior and senior seasons. Clayborn attended Webster Groves High School where he was a four-year letterman and team captain.
