5 Commanders players who could become household names in 2023

Kamren Curl - Commanders S

There is always chatter about the Washington Commanders' defense. With dynamic Pro Bowl players such as Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, along with 2020 second-overall pick Chase Young, it is easy for other players to get lost in their star-powered shadows.

One prime example of this is Kamren Curl. The gifted young safety has consistently been elite for this unit with little to no recognition for three seasons now.

Curl was part of the 2020 draft class that featured Chase Young - the prized Ohio State pass-rusher that became the No. 2 overall selection. The 6-foot-1 three-star high school recruit out of Arkansas was selected with the No. 216 pick in the seventh round, so it's fair to say expectations were considerably low.

In his three NFL campaigns, Curl has improved statistically every year. He recently posted an 80+ grade from Pro Football Focus in both run and pass defense, all while missing five games due to injury.

Now come the 2023 season, where Young, Montez Sweat, and Kendall Fuller are all in the final year of their contracts, Curl is again lurking in the shadows on the last season of his rookie deal. The recipe for a star to be born is right in front of us.

The underrated safety is playing for a contract and recognition. Another impressive and improved season will have Curl making upwards of $15 million per season along with being a solidified star at the safety spot.