Bad news for free-agent cornerback Morris Claiborne, as he has just been handed a four-game suspension for the upcoming season:
Veteran CB Mo Claiborne, one of the top unsigned players, is facing a 4-game suspension for violations of the substance abuse policy, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. He’s appealing and it could be reduced. This would explain why a player as proven as he is would remain a FA.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 2, 2019
Morris Claiborne most recently played for the New York Jets and was considered one of the top unsigned players remaining. There haven't been many reports of him working out for teams, so it's possible the league as a whole was aware of the suspension before the news officially broke.
After being drafted sixth overall by the Cowboys, the former LSU Tiger never really lived up to his draft position. He never played a full season in Dallas and was never particularly impressive when healthy. His play improved over the stretch of his Jets career, as he was able to remain mostly healthy. 2018 was arguably his best season, as he notched two interceptions (one for a touchdown), along with 14 passes defended. Without the suspension, it is almost certain that a team would've added Claiborne to its roster.
There are potential landing spots for the former Jet, namely the Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers. Although Claiborne's suspension will likely stand, either of these teams could use his services. The Chiefs fielded one of the league's worst defensive backfields last year and could still use help at corner. The Niners don't have a proven starter opposite Richard Sherman, and it isn't unreasonable to think that Claiborne could beat out last year's starter, Ahkello Witherspoon.
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