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Evaluating the Redskins draft picks: Kamren Curl’s biggest weakness could hold him back

By Jacob Camenker

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 30: Kamren Curl #2#2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks celebrates after a big play during a game against the New Mexico State Aggies at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Aggies 42-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 30: Kamren Curl #2#2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks celebrates after a big play during a game against the New Mexico State Aggies at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Aggies 42-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 28: Kamren Curl #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks knocks a way a pass thrown to DaMarkus Lodge #5 of the Ole Miss Rebels at Hemingway Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Razorbacks defeated the Rebels 38-37. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 28: Kamren Curl #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks knocks a way a pass thrown to DaMarkus Lodge #5 of the Ole Miss Rebels at Hemingway Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Razorbacks defeated the Rebels 38-37. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

What Kamren Curl does well

One of the best things about Curl is that he does have a lot of starting experience. He was a three-year starter with Arkansas and saw action primarily as a strong safety during his career. That figures to be his position at the NFL level.

Curl has a nice frame at 6-1, 206 pounds and should find success as a tackler. He is capable of lowering the boom and is a good tackler overall. He has good form and can help make stops at the line of scrimmage. If he follows his instincts, this should be one of his better areas at the next level.

Speaking of Curl’s instincts, they are solid overall — both against the run and in coverage. He tracks the ball very well in coverage and was able to make several plays on the ball throughout his college career. He had a pretty nifty interception against San Jose State where he tracked an overthrow from the quarterback and reacted right away to get under it and make an easy catch. That reaction time helps him be in position to make plays in coverage and is his biggest asset in that regard.

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Curl has decent strength and a very good motor. When he’s around the ball-carrier, he does what he can to get involved. Against Ole Miss in 2019, he did well to strip the ball from an Ole Miss player and return it the length of the field for a touchdown. He’s a tough, physical player and if he can improve his play strength a bit, that should carry over to the NFL level.

While Curl’s overall play on the defensive side of the ball is probably best described as adequate — at least from an NFL standpoint — he will add value with his play on special teams. He was a part of those units at Arkansas and he figures to be a good option for covering punts. He’ll use his big-hit ability to try to create plays in that area. He has better tackling discipline on teams that he does on defense (more on that later) so if he is to carve out a role with the Redskins, it would likely be in that capacity.

So overall, Curl has some solid traits. He’s a high-floor guy. But there are a few problems that keep him from being a high-ceiling guy as well and likely explain why he fell into the early stages of the seventh round.

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