The Los Angeles Rams typically avoid spending money on outside players in free agency but Kamren Curl was one of the few exceptions to the rule the Rams broke this offseason. The Rams signed him to a two-year deal worth up to $12.75 million this offseason, a surprising but necessary move after their struggles.
Pro Football Focus views Curl as closer to the middle of the pack in the NFL entering the 2024 season. In their rankings of the top safeties in the NFL, PFF ranked Curl 21st, just ahead of Cleveland's Grant Delpit.
Here is what PFF had to say:
"Although Curl had a breakout 2022 season in which he posted a second-ranked 82.9 PFF overall grade, he couldn’t replicate that performance in 2023, as his 66.6 mark ranked just 50th. But since entering the league, Curl still ranks 17th among safeties in overall grade (78.0) and 19th in coverage grade (83.7)."
Kam Curl is at his best when he can play closer to the line of scrimmage as an overhang defender and box safety. He's not at his best playing split-field or single-high deep, though that has been the role that many have lined him up for. Curl *can* drop deep on occasion, but again, it's not his ideal role.
Think of Curl as a better version of Taylor Rapp. When Rapp was at his best on the Rams, he was their drop safety, consistently coming downhill and playing closer to the box. The Rams could play off of Rapp using players like Jordan Fuller, John Johnson III, and Nick Scott deep.
His versatility will be key for the Rams, as they continue rebuilding their defense across the board. His playmaking will be a boon for a unit in need of it.
