logo
Rams' 25 most important players for 2025 – No. 17: S Kamren Curl

Rams' 25 most important players for 2025 – No. 17: S Kamren Curl

USA Today9 hours ago
Curl was one of the best safeties in the NFL toward the end of last season
Kamren Curl was viewed as one of the most underrated safeties in the league during his time in Washington but the Rams recognized his talent and brought him to Los Angeles as one of their starting safeties. He had an immediate impact on defense, becoming a leader in the secondary and an every-down player.
His value to the Rams remains high in 2025 as he enters Year 2 with the team, returning as a key piece of a secondary with good upside. On our list of the 25 most important players for 2025, Curl checks in at No. 17.
How he got here
After four years in Washington, Curl signed with the Rams last offseason. He inked a two-year deal for a modest $9 million, a terrific value for the team. He's entering the final year of his contract and is set to become a free agent in 2026.
2024 stats
16 games (16 starts): 79 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 9 passes defensed, 38 targets, 26 receptions, 354 yards allowed
Projected role
Curl played almost every snap when he was healthy last season, staying on the field for 100% of the plays in 11 of his 16 regular-season games played. He should continue to play almost every snap in 2025 as the Rams' top safety, lining up deep and near the box. He and Kamren Kinchens are almost interchangeable in terms of being free and strong safeties, so Chris Shula has options on the back end.
Curl seemed to be at his best when playing in the box and around the line of scrimmage, so that's where the Rams should line him up most often. Don't expect many turnovers or interceptions from the sixth-year safety but he's a sure tackler and has an impact in run defense.
Why he's important
Curl may not be a ball hawk or a turnover machine, but he has a great understanding of the Rams' defense, as well as what opposing offenses are trying to do. That allows him to make smart reads at the snap, whether he's dropping back into zone coverage or setting the edge as a run defender.
The Rams are extremely inexperienced at safety outside of Curl, so they need him to continue playing at a high level and remain available.
Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage!
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Patriots two-time Super Bowl champ makes top-five millennium list
Patriots two-time Super Bowl champ makes top-five millennium list

USA Today

time22 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Patriots two-time Super Bowl champ makes top-five millennium list

Former New England Patriots two-time Super Bowl champion Asante Samuel made Eric Edholm's top-five list of the best NFL draft values of the millennium at the cornerback position. The list is comprised of players who gave their team the most value based on where they were selected in their respective draft classes. Samuel was a fourth-round pick with the 120th overall selection in the 2003 NFL draft. He was ranked at No. 5 on the list. Edholm wrote: "I did hesitate to add Samuel due to the fact that a large chunk of his career production happened outside of New England. The Patriots let him walk as a free agent, receiving only a compensatory pick in return. (That selection was used on the forgettable Tyrone McKenzie, who never played a game for the Pats.) But in the end, Samuel was an invaluable piece for a New England team that won two Super Bowls and played in 14 playoff games during his five seasons in Foxborough." Samuel had 51 career interceptions and made four straight Pro Bowls through an 11-year career in the NFL. He was also known as an elite playoff performer with seven postseason interceptions and four touchdowns. His exceptional NFL career landed him a spot on New England's All-2000s and All-Dynasty teams. Both are worthy accolades for one of the most successful defensive backs in franchise history. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

Community In Florida Honors Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. By Naming Street After Him
Community In Florida Honors Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. By Naming Street After Him

Yahoo

time36 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Community In Florida Honors Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. By Naming Street After Him

Community In Florida Honors Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. By Naming Street After Him originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Small-town hero Michael Penix Jr. is honored by having a street named after him in Florida. Advertisement Michael Penix is considered a local legend from Dade City, Florida. A small-town athlete who has since made it to the top of his game in the NFL as a starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. A new street sign went up, titled 'Michael Penix Jr. Blvd.' Dade City, Florida, is where Penix Jr. would start his football career as a youth player in the historic community. Before Penix Jr. set records at the University of Washington, local lore had it that he was tossing around the football with a cannon on his left arm as a toddler. Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. has a laugh at Falcons mini-camp with head coach Raheem Morris. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Penix Jr would start his career at the University of Indiana before transferring to play for the Washington Huskies. Ascending to a Heisman candidate at Washington, he would grab the attention of the Atlanta Falcons, who would draft him with the 8th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Advertisement Now, he has been handed the keys to the franchise in Atlanta by being named the starter after Kirk Cousins was benched with three weeks remaining last season. All of the hard work that Penix Jr. has put into getting to this point has paid off, paving the way for other small community athletes to realize their guiding light in sports. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, which included city officials, town residents, and even representatives from the City Hall of Georgia. Penix Jr. has solidified himself from "Little Mike" in the community to a local legend. Related: Falcons Legend Warrick Dunn Changed Lives On And Off The Field Related: Falcons Tight End Accepted Into 'Tight End University' Camp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.

Is Clark Phillips III A Crucial Piece Of The Defensive Back Puzzle In Atlanta?
Is Clark Phillips III A Crucial Piece Of The Defensive Back Puzzle In Atlanta?

Yahoo

time37 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Is Clark Phillips III A Crucial Piece Of The Defensive Back Puzzle In Atlanta?

Is Clark Phillips III A Crucial Piece Of The Defensive Back Puzzle In Atlanta? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III will get his opportunity to start and contribute consistently this year. Advertisement The Atlanta Falcons selected defensive back Clark Phillips III in the 4th round of the 2023 NFL Draft from Utah. For his previous two seasons, he has had the opportunity to start seven games for Atlanta. He has appeared in 27 games for his career and has performed well when given the chance. During the 2024 season, Phillips recorded a career high in tackles with 35. He also recorded 1 interception, forced 2 fumbles, and recovered a fumble. Phillips will look to earn a starting spot for Atlanta when training camp rolls around in late July. Falcons DB Clark Phillips III defends the pass against the Minnesota Vikings WR Jordan Addison. Matt Krohn-Imagn Images During his three seasons at Utah, he started in all 31 games, recorded 112 tackles (84 solo), defended 30 passes, and recorded 9 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. Advertisement Some NFL officials think a breakout season is looming for the young defensive back. At only 5-feet-9 inches tall, he plays much bigger than he is when it comes to going toe to toe with big-bodied receivers. He has sneaky fast hands to knock the ball away from defenders, and has excellent lateral movement on the outside. Phillips also has excellent ball skills and can flip his hips to run with the speedsters in the NFL. He will be a crucial part of the puzzle for the Atlanta Falcons defense this year, which will be a lot more aggressive after undergoing a bit of an overhaul. Atlanta has looked to add plenty of depth on the defensive side of the ball, and Phillips may be in those long-term plans for Atlanta if he contributes at a high clip. Related: Left Handed Like Vick, Pocket Presence Like Ryan, How Far Can Michael Penix Jr. Take Atlanta? Related: The Falcons Are On The Brink, But Still Have A Position Of Concern On Defense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store