The Los Angeles Rams don't play it safe. They never have under Les Snead. While other teams overpay for aging names with declining metrics, the Rams just landed the most underrated safety in football for a bargain. The three-year deal for Kam Curl includes roughly $24 million in guarantees, a number that looks like a steal the second you turn on the tape.
If you've been following the Washington Commanders over the last four years, you know Curl wasn't just a starter. He was the glue. Now he’s headed to a Rams secondary that desperately needed a versatile chess piece. This isn't just a depth signing. It’s a statement about how the Rams plan to rebuild a defense that lost its biggest icon in Aaron Donald.
Why the Kam Curl Contract is a Total Steal
Let's talk about the money first. In an era where top-tier safeties are hunting for $15 million or $16 million annually, the Rams got Curl for a projected average that sits well below the market ceiling. Getting $24 million in guarantees over three years is phenomenal business for a guy who's only 25 years old.
Usually, when a player hits free agency at this age, there's a red flag. Not here. Curl was a seventh-round pick who outplayed his draft slot from day one. He’s consistent. He’s durable. Most importantly, he handles the "green dot" responsibilities—calling out alignments and making sure everyone is in the right spot. For a young Rams defense, that veteran brain in a young body is worth more than the cap hit suggests.
The market for safeties has been weird lately. Teams are cutting veterans left and right. But Curl isn't a declining veteran; he's entering his prime. The Rams exploited a market dip to snag a guy who consistently ranks as a top-15 safety according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades.
Versatility Is the New Luxury
You can't pigeonhole Kam Curl. He’s not just a "box safety" and he’s not just a "deep centerfielder." He does everything. In Washington, he spent significant time in the slot, played as a traditional free safety, and thrived when moved closer to the line of scrimmage to stop the run.
This matters because of how the NFL is changing. Offenses are obsessed with creating mismatches. They want to get a fast receiver on a slow linebacker or a big tight end on a small corner. Curl kills those plans. He’s big enough to hit like a linebacker but fluid enough to stick with tight ends in man coverage.
Think about the NFC West. You have to deal with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle twice a year. You need players who don't need to be subbed out when the offense changes personnel. Curl stays on the field. He played over 1,000 snaps last season. That’s the kind of reliability the Rams lacked in the back end last year.
Filling the Void Left by Jordan Fuller
Jordan Fuller was a steady hand for the Rams, but Curl is an upgrade in almost every physical category. While Fuller was a smart player, Curl brings a level of physicality that changes the tone of a game. He’s a sure tackler. He rarely whiffs in the open field, which was a recurring nightmare for the Rams' secondary in 2023.
The Rams' defensive philosophy is shifting. With Aaron Donald retired, the pass rush won't be as predictable. The secondary has to hold up longer. By pairing Curl with guys like Darious Williams and Quentin Lake, the Rams are building a unit that can disguise coverages more effectively.
The Seventh Round Magic
There’s something about seventh-round picks who make it. They have a chip on their shoulder that never goes away. Curl was the 216th pick in 2020. He wasn't supposed to be a star. But he became the heartbeat of that Washington defense.
He brings a "lunch pail" mentality to Los Angeles. In a city known for glitz and glamour, the Rams' most successful defensive runs have been built on guys who just do their jobs at an elite level. Curl doesn't care about highlights. He cares about gap integrity and passing off vertical routes.
What This Means for the Rams Draft Strategy
By locking up Curl now, the Rams have freed themselves up for the NFL Draft. They don't have to reach for a safety in the early rounds. They can focus on the edge or the interior defensive line—areas where they clearly need more pop after Donald’s departure.
This signing follows the classic Rams blueprint: identify a player with high-level production who is undervalued by the national media, then strike fast. It’s the same logic that brought them success with veteran acquisitions in their Super Bowl window, but this time they’re doing it with a player who has his best football ahead of him.
If you’re a Rams fan, you should be thrilled. You just got a foundational piece for the price of a role player. It’s the kind of move that wins divisions in December.
Check the defensive depth chart as the preseason approaches. Watch how often Curl is moved around during training camp. His ability to mask what the Rams are doing will be the secret to their defensive success in 2024. Don't be surprised if he's a Pro Bowler by next January.
