Cleveland Browns: Four candidates for contract extensions in off-season
By Dan Justik
Damarious Randall
Damarious Randall was a first-round pick for the Green Bay Packers in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was traded to the Browns in March for DeShone Kizer and an exchange of draft picks. The move has paid off big time, as Randall has become a key cog in the Browns defense.
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When the Packers drafted Randall, they moved him to cornerback after he played safety in college. Randall did well in the role, but was not living up to the expectations of being a first round pick. When the Browns acquired Randall, they moved him back to his college position of free safety, and the 26-year-old flourished in his old position.
For the Browns, Randall made 84 total tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions, nine passes defended, and one fumble recovery. He did exceptionally well at making plays on deep passes, and he also did well tackling in space. Randall is also not limited to playing safety, as the Browns rotated him into the nickel cornerback role at times during the season.
He has stated that he wants to return to Cleveland, and the Browns front office likely wants him to return as well. Despite the Browns struggling in pass coverage in 2018, Randall was one of the strengths of the unit, and his extension should be near the top of the list for the Browns this off-season.