Ranking 5 best draft picks of Ron Rivera’s tenure with Commanders

Kamren Curl – Commanders S

• Round No. 7 (Pick No. 216) | 2020 NFL Draft

There is little debate about who the best draft pick made by Ron Rivera is during his three-year stint with the Washington Commanders so far. Kamren Curl was a seventh-round roster bubble candidate coming into the organization, but it didn’t take long to realize they might have something special on their hands.

Curl fought with every inch to earn a prominent spot on defense immediately. Not only this, but the safety performed far better than most envisaged considering where the Commanders picked him up in the 2020 NFL Draft.

With 270 tackles in three seasons, the Commanders got far more than they bargained for where Curl is concerned. Something that should rightfully come with a new contract soon heading into the final year of his rookie deal.

The former Arkansas player developed an exceptional safety tandem alongside Darrick Forrest in 2022 that was among the league’s best. If Curl improves further next season, then a first Pro Bowl selection could be well within reach.

If Curl keeps this up, he could become one of the biggest draft steals in Commanders franchise history. That’s a lofty goal to aim for, but one he is well on course to attain after a sensational start to his NFL career.