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CLEVELAND, Ohio – In 2019, Damarious Randall will earn $ 9.069 million in security, which is more than he has earned in the first four years of his combined rookie contract ($ 7.915 million).
That's because he's playing on fifth-year option pay for cornerbacks this season instead of guarantees ($ 6,266 million). Shortly after Green Bay's acquisition of DeShone Kizer in Green Bay, they opted for Randall's fifth-year option, which was based on his position in 2017 as a cornerback in Green Bay.
Even though the Browns had planned to put him in the shelter, they had paid him as a corner half this year.
But the $ 9 million will prepare them for what they will have to pay for the 2015 # 30 general pick if they want to keep it in Cleveland – even with minimal money for security.
In this pass-based league, salaries paid for safety have soared and they are now earning almost as much as cornerbacks. Tyrann Mathieu ($ 14 million a year), Landon Collins in Washington ($ 14 million) and Earl Thomas of Baltimore ($ 13.75 million) are among the top three highest paid guarantees.
The highest paid half-defenders are Xavien Howard in Miami ($ 15.05 million), Josh Norman in Washington ($ 15 million) and Trumaine Johnson of the Jets ($ 14.5 million).
Twenty-six years old and rejuvenated by the move to a more natural and free security position, Randall played hard last year, almost a clip Pro Bowl. He led the team with four interceptions – tied for seventh place in the NFL – and finished third in the team with 84 tackles. With 14 career interceptions in 45 starts, Randall ranks # 2 in INT among active players who started 45 competitions or less.
This kind of big-game ability, combined with his excellent coverage and tackle ability, made him one of the team's most valuable players, and the Browns would like to keep him here long-term. .
The problem is that they will have to pay it as one of the best guarantees of the NFL – maybe even the top – to keep it to the free market gap. Wages continue to climb and Randall will not want to sell in the open.
One of the things that favors Brown is that Randall loves it and wants to stay. The Browns are ready for continued success, and if everything goes as planned, it could even end up in a Super Bowl one of those years. In addition, a guaranteed silver boat is a good insurance against injury in a contract year.
"I would like to finish my career here in Cleveland," Randall told the mandatory Minicamp in June. "I like it a lot here, fans, coaches, everyone here, I love Cleveland."
In addition, Randall suffered a heel injury for most of last season. He also played much more deeply than he expected this year with new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. With a stronger support cast in defense, he expects to have even more impact this season. He is also fast enough to play the corner and has the versatility needed in today's game, with the proliferation of collegiate fouls and double threat quarterbacks.
"I feel like the sky is my limit because I'm closer to the line of scrimmage and we play a lot more on the ball," said Randall. "I think the best is coming."
The Browns had very preliminary interviews with Randall's agent, but nothing could be called negotiation.
Ideally, they would have something to do before the season, but it would have to be a successful offer. The deeper the season, the more Randall will want to test the market.
The Browns could also franchise him at the security salary of about $ 12.735 million planned for 2020.
But the Browns must be extremely protective of their caps with high first-round picks such as Myles Garrett, Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward, all of whom owe huge paydays in the years to come. But Randall is about to be one of the team's MVPs this season, and he will soon be paid that way – by the Browns or by another player.
Cleveland Browns 19 Questions is a daily series of reports on the Browns until the beginning of the training camp. We will highlight the big and small questions about the team and the upcoming season, every day of the week of July, here at cleveland.com.
Question 5: Can Nick Chubb continue his climb in 2019?
Question 4: Can Drew Stanton win games for the Browns?
Question 3: How long can the Browns keep Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. together?
Question 2: Can Mike Priefer improve the Browns' special teams?
Question 1: What should be the Browns record in the first half of the season?
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