Adrian Clayborn has been getting random drug tests a lot in 2017
Atlanta Falcons defensive end and former first round pick Adrian Clayborn has been getting random drug tests a lot in 2017…
Apparently, the NFL is a bit skeptical of Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn and his strong 2017 season.
Clayborn is enjoying the best season of his NFL career, one that almost didn’t happen. Clayborn admitted that he nearly retired prior to the 2017 season after a somewhat disappointing career up to this point due to injury.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes star and first round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is certainly glad he didn’t retire knowing what he knows now, being praised by Falcons head coach Dan Quinn as one of the team’s most consistent defensive players this year and having a monster game against the Dallas Cowboys.
In that game against the Cowboys, Clayborn notched a whopping six sacks and triggered a $750,000 bonus in his contract.
Not a bad day’s work.
Not 1.
— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2017
Not 2.
Not 3.
Not 4.
Not 5.
But 6.0 sacks by @AtlantaFalcons DE @AJaClay in Week 10! #InBrotherhood #DALvsATL https://t.co/WC5cJgOLJd
But since — and even before — that performance against the Cowboys, Clayborn has been getting random drug tests from the NFL.
He’s not entirely sure why:
https://twitter.com/AJaClay/status/925001947932962818
Another drug test🙄
— Adrian Clayborn (@AJaClay) November 24, 2017
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Following Clayborn’s six-sack performance, he scooped up a strip-sack against the Seattle Seahawks and returned it for a touchdown.
On the season, he is the Atlanta Falcons’ highest graded defender according to Pro Football Focus, given a major boost from his game against the Cowboys which will likely always be remembered by Falcons fans.
Even if you take the Cowboys game out of it, Clayborn has still played well enough consistently this season that he would have the third highest grade among Falcons defenders.
Not only does Clayborn lead the Falcons with his eight sacks this season, he leads the team with 29 hurries and is tied for the team’s lead with seven hits.
Simply put, Clayborn is playing like the former first round pick he was drafted to be. He’s healthy, and he’s drug free.