Report: Minnesota Vikings Reach Out To Adrian Clayborn

We have another name on the radar for the Minnesota Vikings, as a couple of different sources are reporting that the team has reached out to defensive end Adrian Clayborn.

Clayborn, the 20th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa, has played his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers chose not to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, making him an unrestricted free agent this off-season.

Clayborn has battled some injury issues over his brief career, as he went on injured reserve in 2012 after just three games, and only played one game in 2014 before going on IR again. When he's healthy, he's proven to be a solid player. . .in the two seasons that he's played in all 16 games, he has a total of 13 sacks (7.5 as a rookie in 2011, 5.5 in 2013).

At this point, the Vikings' interest in Clayborn might be as someone to take over for Brian Robison at the left defensive end spot. However, ESPN's Ben Goessling is reporting that at least five teams have expressed an interest in Clayborn to this point, so the Vikings will have their work cut out for them if they want to bring him in. But he does seem like the Rick Spielman-type of free agent. . .someone with talent that's coming off of some injury issues that may lower his price tag a bit. We'll have to see what happens on this front.