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The Cleveland Browns have reportedly signed safety Karl Joseph to a one-year deal.
The transaction was first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:
Former #Raiders safety Karl Joseph is signing with the #Browns, source said. It’s a 1-year deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2020
Joseph was a first-round selection (No. 14 overall) by the Oakland Raiders in the 2016 NFL Draft. He never really filled that high of a pick, however, as he played in just 49 games with the Raiders in four years, posting 236 tackles and four interceptions.
Per @RapSheet the Browns are signing Karl Joseph to a 1-year deal.
— PFF (@PFF) March 19, 2020
Joseph: 69.9 grade in 2019. pic.twitter.com/jZVCPWC98V
Joseph played in nine games last season before suffering a season-ending foot injury.
According to Pro Football Focus, Joseph is a consistent, if not spectacular, player:
A player who has always earned consistently solid grades, Karl Joseph just hasn’t made enough splash plays in his time in the NFL to convince his own team to buy-in long-term or even keep his starting spot secure. Joseph has just four interceptions in four seasons with the Raiders and has forced just a single fumble, but he has hit double-digit defensive stops every season and shown the ability to be a solid force on defense. Joseph has talent, particularly in a coverage scheme that plays with split safeties, and he will likely be available for a bargain fee given how his Raiders tenure panned out.
Given that it is just a one-year deal, the Browns clearly believe that Joseph is worth a look, but is not a longterm answer at one of the safety spots.