Next man up: Clayborn release could mean an opportunity for Rivers

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There's still plenty of time for the Patriots to make a move in free agency. And they could make an early-round draft choice to address their pass-rush for 2019.

But Adrian Clayborn -- last season's primary sub-rusher in New England -- has been released, and there's a role up for grabs. At this stage, the front-runner for the gig could be third-year end Derek Rivers. 

Rivers played in just seven games last season, seeing 97 total snaps. Though it was a small sample size, it's relatively clear how the Patriots viewed him, as over 81 percent of Rivers' plays came as a pass-rusher. 

A healthy scratch for the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LIII, Rivers recorded his first sack as a pro in Week 17 as he helped cut into Clayborn's workload when Clayborn was a healthy scratch at the end of the regular season. 

Rivers was the Patriots' first selection, a third-rounder, in the 2017 NFL Draft. He showed some promise in his first training camp, making a significant jump in competition from Youngstown State to the NFL, but he tore his ACL during joint practices with the Texans at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. 


After months of rehab and working to develop his upper-body strength, Rivers got his feet back under him in training camp last year, working extensively with Trey Flowers and fellow 2017 draft pick Deatrich Wise on pass-rush moves long after practices finished up. 

“He’s worked hard every day,” Bill Belichick said of Rivers late last season. “Last year we had a ton of injuries at that position. This year, we’ve been totally healthy there so the opportunities — we have more people for the same number of opportunities."

Belichick added: "When he’s had an opportunity, he’s done well with it, both in practice and in games. I think he’s got a really good future. I’m glad we have him. He could be a good player. I think he is a good player. It’s just kind of a little bit of a situational thing right now."

With Clayborn's release, the situation there has changed. Which could mean Rivers is due for a more prominent role.

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