2020 Round 7, Pick 216: Washington Redskins select Kamren Curl, S, Arkansas

[naptownskinsfan]

NFL.com Scouting Report

[MikeT14]

No picture of him at Arkansas?

[turtle28]

Hopefully he's good at curls! 

[naptownskinsfan]

@Doc Draper I can tell he's going to be your boy 

[turtle28]

Despite entering college as a safety, Curl started every game at cornerback in 2017 due to injuries. It's every freshman's dream to start right away, Curl said, and he was doing so in the nation's best conference.

He recorded 46 tackles that season and broke up a career-high eight passes, but more importantly he sharpened his coverage skills, especially in 1-on-1 situations. That experience made Curl an even more desirable prospect come draft day.

"Kamren is a safety that started at corner so he's got cover skills, so he may be able to come down into the slot and cover receivers," head coach Ron Rivera said. "That's something that we have to find out."

Over the next two seasons, Curl started a combined 22 contests at strong safety and stuffed the stat sheet with 129 total tackles, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two sacks. He also hauled in two interceptions, both of which came in 2019.

After a junior campaign that included a career-high 76 tackles, two interceptions and a touchdown, Curl forwent his final year of collegiate eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.

At 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds, Curl has the size to play safety in the NFL. He also impressed scouts with his strength at the NFL Combine by doing 24 repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press -- tied for the most among all defensive back prospects.

Curl talked to special teams coordinator Nate Kaczor and defensive backs coach Chris Harris at the combine, so he knew the Redskins had interest. About two months later, Curl received a call from Rivera; after days of waiting, Curl was going to Washington.

Edited May 14, 2020 by turtle28

[e16bball]

Saw that Curl worked out with Antonio Gibson during the pre-draft process, as Saahdiq Charles and Keith Ismael also did. 

Could just be an interesting coincidence, although I tend to think probably not. Rarely coincidence when the Redskins are involved, and they don’t typically dabble in subtlety. I think they were looking to bring in “offseason buddies” for two guys they’re rolling dice on in Gibson and Charles — someone they can talk to, work with, be on the same page as. Perhaps particularly important because there won’t be many (any?) offseason activities to develop bonds and camaraderie.  

[turtle28]

22 minutes ago, e16bball said:

Saw that Curl worked out with Antonio Gibson during the pre-draft process, as Saahdiq Charles and Keith Ismael also did. 

Could just be an interesting coincidence, although I tend to think probably not. Rarely coincidence when the Redskins are involved, and they don’t typically dabble in subtlety. I think they were looking to bring in “offseason buddies” for two guys they’re rolling dice on in Gibson and Charles — someone they can talk to, work with, be on the same page as. Perhaps particularly important because there won’t be many (any?) offseason activities to develop bonds and camaraderie.  

Interesting, does sound like an interesting idea and if that’s why they did it, it’s a good idea.