Washington Football Team: Kamren Curl is still a star, ready to break out

Washington Football Team safety Kamren Curl is ready to break out once again.

Last season the Washington Football Team had the Defensive Rookie of the Year thanks to defensive end Chase Young. It was Kamren Curl that stole the show though. The safety was drafted in the seventh round, but quickly earned a massive role on the defense. And became one of the best rookies in the league.

Due to that, many were expecting massive things from Curl in year two. However, he didn’t seem to have the biggest role in the defense to start. He was playing a lot, but maybe not as much as some thought he would. And the impact that he had in 2020 wasn’t there either.

Don’t get me wrong, Curl wasn’t playing badly. That game-changing ability just felt like it was missing. It wasn’t just the defensive back either, it looked like the entire defense wasn’t playing up to their ability for most of the season. However, Curl seemed to have it together for the most part. He was stepping up and making some important plays the whole time. Sometimes it just didn’t look as flashy.

Kamren Curl proving rookie season was no fluke

A few weeks ago, the entire Washington defense started to put it all together. They were limiting points, lowering total yards, and starting to find their way into some sacks and turnovers. Most importantly, they were coming up with the big stops when the team needed it most.

Curl has been a major part of this defensive turnaround. And in Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks, he came up big again. The Arkansas product picked up four tackles in the game and had a crucial sack. With Washington up 17-9 in the third quarter, Curl got to quarterback Russell Wilson on third down. This ended up being the final play of the quarter, and Seattle had to punt to open up the fourth quarter.

Washington would go on to win 17-15. This was their third win in a row, and they now stand at 5-6 with a spot in the playoffs. It’s hard not to look at the defense. They’ve been playing better lately, much better. And they’ve been doing it without star defensive ends Young and Montez Sweat. That’s because other people have stepped up.

Kamren Curl proved last year that he is a star. In 16 games he recorded 88 tackles (four for loss), two sacks, four pass deflections, three interceptions, and one touchdown. So far in 2021, the numbers aren’t as good.

In 11 games the defensive back has 45 tackles (two for loss), one sack, three pass deflections, no interceptions, and no touchdowns. But he still has that high motor and tends to make the play when the team needs one.

Curl recorded eight tackles in Week 10 and Week 11 each (his season-high is nine). Then picked up his first sack of the year in Week 12. It looks like he’s finding his footing in year two.

Week 12 was an indication that the game-changer is still in there. And at 22, Curl is still learning and growing. If the Washington Football Team is going to keep winning, the defense needs to keep leading the way. And Kamren Curl needs to be one of their stars. The good news is, he looks ready to break out once again.