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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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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – OCTOBER 27: Ke’Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs the ball and stiff arms Kamren Curl #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – OCTOBER 27: Ke’Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs the ball and stiff arms Kamren Curl #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

What Curl needs to improve

As is the case with every player, there are certain things that can be helped in Curl’s game and certain things that can’t be.

One that can’t be helped too much is his speed. Curl clocked a 4.6-flat 40 times at the 2020 NFL Combine and that’s about indicative of his play speed. While Curl does react well to the run and has good ball skills, he simply doesn’t have the speed needed to be a deep safety at the NFL level. He will get burned by faster players and can only cover so much ground while attempting to make plays on the ball.

In short, he’ll rely on his instincts. if they falter, he may be out of the play due to his lacking speed. And for that reason, Curl is probably better served as a box safety at the next level if he is going to see the field on defense. If he’s playing back, he’ll need to have a partner who can cover more ground than him.

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The other big issue for Curl is missing tackles. Curl has solid form and a strong frame that he uses to bring down players when he can get to them. But at times, he is overaggressive in his angling and that causes him to miss some easy tackles. Too often on tape, he find himself whiffing entirely or getting juked at the last minute by quicker backs.

Perhaps Curl is focused on coming downhill to make a hard hit because he knows that if he misses he’ll likely be out of the play anyway because of his speed. Still, he needs to clean up his angles. If he can come downhill a bit more methodically and square up players more consistently, he will be a better overall player in run support. But if he has trouble missing tackles at the next level, he’ll be limited to special teams.

The tackling issue is something that Curl needs to work on. And the speed issue is something he’ll have to learn to deal with. It should be noted that Arkansas didn’t always use Curl in the best way because they played a lot of man coverage. Perhaps if he’s more in a box role or serving as safety help over the top, Curl can focus on improving in these areas and quickly prove that he has room to grow at the NFL level.

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