The Cleveland Browns have decided to exercise their fifth-year option on defensive back Damarious Randall, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The #Browns exercised the fifth-year option for CB Damarious Randall, who they had previously acquired from the #Packers, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2018
The Browns just acquired Randall earlier this offseason from the Green Bay Packers in a trade involving quarterback DeShone Kizer. Randall, who will make just over $1 million this upcoming season, is set to make $6.2 million in his option year in 2019.
The 25-year-old was the Packers’ first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft (No. 30 overall). He played 39 games (30 starts) at cornerback for the Packers, recording 142 tackles, 10 interceptions (two of which he returned for a touchdown) and 32 passes defended. He had a career-high four of those interceptions last season.
Randall's arrival is part of the Browns' significant overhaul of their entire secondary this offseason. They’ve also signed cornerbacks TJ Carrie, EJ Gaines, and Terrance Mitchell in free agency, and just drafted highly-rated young cornerback Denzel Ward with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
But despite playing corner his entire three-year stint in Green Bay, the Browns intend to move Randall back to safety, which is the position he played in college. With the Browns’ proven options at safety significantly limited, Randall will likely be in line to start at free safety for Cleveland alongside last year’s first-round pick, Jabrill Peppers.
Randall will look to improve a Browns defense that struggled significantly against the pass last season, which was why they decided to make such wholesale changes along the secondary this offseason. The Browns gave up the highest passer rating to opposing quarterbacks in the league (102.2), were 26th in touchdowns allowed (28) as well as yards per pass attempt (7.4), and had the second-fewest interceptions (7).
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