Cliff Avril

Cliff Avril

37-Year-Old Defensive EndDE
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Cliff Avril in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Seahawks in May of 2018.
Released with failed physical
DEFree Agent
Neck
May 4, 2018
Avril (neck) was released by the Seahawks with a failed physical designation Friday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Avril sustained a severe neck injury last October that's put his playing career in question, making Seattle's decision to part ways unsurprising. A key piece of a Seahawks unit that led the NFL in scoring defense from 2013 to 2015, Avril racked up 130 tackles and 34.5 sacks during his five seasons with the team. Along with Richard Sherman (49ers) and Michael Bennett (Eagles), Avril is the third big-name player to depart the Seahawks defense this offseason.
Read More News
NFL Stats
Loading NFL Stats...
2017
2016
2017 NFL Game Log
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Loading Game Log...
2016 NFL Game Log
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Loading Game Log...
2023 Cliff Avril Split Stats
Loading NFL Split Stats...
Measurables Review
How do Cliff Avril's measurables compare to other defensive ends?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 3"
 
Weight
260 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.51 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.51 sec
 
Cone Drill
6.90 sec
 
Vertical Jump
32.5 in
 
Broad Jump
117 in
 
Bench Press
27 reps
 
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
Now 31, Avril is coming off one the best seasons of his career after he registered 39 tackles, a career-high 11.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and three pass defensed in 16 games. Unfortunately, the veteran defensive end underwent two surgeries in the offseason to repair an abdomen injury, which could be cause for concern. If Avril is able to return to team activities in a timely manner, he could be a solid IDP option as he heads into his fifth season in Seattle.
Avril was expected to see fewer snaps last season than in 2014 to keep him fresher, but he ended up playing 105 more snaps. The increase didn't hurt him. On the contrary, it helped him turn in one of his best seasons as a pro. He had nine sacks, his most since 2012, and a career-high 47 tackles. He also had 27 quarterback hits and 11 tackles for loss. Avril likely will play another 750-plus snaps this season, as Cassius Marsh is the only other RDE in the D-Line rotation, and he is expected to see time at outside linebacker, as well. Avril's IDP prospects, though, are hurt by his lack of tackle opportunities.
Had Avril not suffered a concussion late in the Super Bowl, Seattle's repeat hopes might not have come down to an ill-fated play from the one-yard line. Lack of D-Line depth last season forced Avril to play 150 more snaps than in 2013, hurting his effectiveness. Better depth this season should keep Avril fresher, which might mean a bounce-back from last season's career-low-tying five sacks. Avril is an excellent pass rusher, but he'll never have the opportunity for a lot of tackles.
Avril was a key member of the Seahawks' defensive line rotation last season, totaling eight sacks, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He doesn't have the opportunity to make many tackles (20 last year), but he'll again be counted on to provide a pass rush on a line that lost 11.5 sacks in free agency.
Avril will provide much-needed insurance for the Seahawks, as Chris Clemons is recovering from a January ACL tear. Avril should flirt with double-digit sacks in 2013. Seattle's defense struggled with quarterback pressure last season, and Avril was signed to remedy that flaw. Expect him to see a lot of snaps this season even if Clemons is healthy.
Even if he’s generally not likely to surpass the 40-tackle mark, it’s still perfectly clear at this point Avril has arrived as a standout NFL pass rusher. He has 19.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles in his last 29 games, which projects to 11 sacks and four forced fumbles over 16 games, demonstrating that his 2011 total of 11 sacks and six forced fumbles was no fluke. With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley playing alongside him, offenses will almost never have the freedom to double-team Avril.
Even with Kyle Vanden Bosch and Lawrence Jackson around, Avril should get enough snaps to make an IDP impact in deeper leagues. His upside is limited due to some durability concerns (he’s missed six games the last two years) as well as the fact that he’s primarily a pass-rushing specialist, but Avril is generally effective at getting to the quarterback when he is on the field. He had 8.5 sacks in just 13 games last year, and with most of the blocking attention going to Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, Avril will definitely have favorable matchups on the edge.
Avril will likely get the nod as a starter to begin the season, but won't have a lot of margin for error as Jared DeVries will be pushing for playing time. If he can keep the job, Avril should be able to put up solid sack and tackling numbers.
Avril will see time along the line and at outside linebacker this coming season.
Avril is a speed rusher who will start his rookie campaign on the sideline as a backup.
More Fantasy News
To reassess future in spring
DESeattle Seahawks
Neck
February 13, 2018
Avril (neck) plans to reassess his football future in spring, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Plans to keep playing
DESeattle Seahawks
Neck
January 16, 2018
Avril (neck) told Steve Wyche of NFL Network on Monday that he plans to continue his playing career following November disc surgery. "I believe so," Avril said, when asked if he thinks he'll play football again. "Right now it's all about recovery for me. I had surgery. It's a long process, it's a long journey. When I get to the end of that, then I'll figure out what's next."
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Undergoes neck surgery
DESeattle Seahawks
Neck
November 27, 2017
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Avril would undergo surgery this week to address a disc issue in his neck and spine, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Lands on injured reserve
DESeattle Seahawks
Neck
October 20, 2017
The Seahawks placed Avril (neck) on injured reserve Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Expected to hit IR
DESeattle Seahawks
Neck
October 18, 2017
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Avril (neck) will be placed on injured reserve, SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.