The New England Patriots have signed running back Jeremy Hill and defensive end Adrian Clayborn. Clayborn’s deal will for two years and will be worth approximately $12.5 million. Adam Schefter shared the news of Clayborn’s signing and Field Yates Hill’s on Twitter.
Patriots reached agreement with former Falcons’ DE Adrian Clayborn, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2018
Patriots gave former Falcons’ DE Adrian Clayborn a two-year deal with a max value of $12.5 million, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2018
Source: the Patriots are signing former Bengals RB Jeremy Hill.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 16, 2018
Both additions will help the Patriots tremendously. The Patriots lost running back Dion Lewis in free agency and needed to beef up their run game. Even though they have arguably have the greatest quarterback of all time in Tom Brady, the Patriots still need a good run game to help take the pressure off of Brady.
Hill was solid during his time with the Bengals. He rushed for 2,873 yards and 29 touchdowns in his four seasons in Cincinnati. Hill, who is only 25, can offer a great deal to the Patriots. If he can continue to produce, he can become a long-term solution for the run game in New England.
Clayborn, 30, had a promising year with the Atlanta Falcons last year. He had 9.5 sacks and could give some assistant to the Patriots defense. He is probably not their long-term solution, so expect the Patriots to look to the draft for more pass rushing help.
The Patriots also lost wide receiver Danny Amendola to free agency this week. It seems the Patriots just were not willing to pay Lewis or Amendola more money then what the organization valued them. If Hill can produce, maybe he can sign a bigger contract.
