Taking a look at some safety options for Indy in free agency.
There are plenty of question marks that surround the safety group for the Indianapolis Colts entering the 2024 offseason.
The first is whether Chris Ballard will re-sign Julian Blackmon. He’s the proven player of the group and if he does depart this offseason, then it would leave a glaring hole on the defense.
There is promise with Nick Cross but it’s a bet on his development this offseason while Rodney Thomas II has to rebound to how he performed his rookie season or he could be fighting for a roster spot.
With or without Blackmon on the roster, a veteran option should be considered by Ballard. The good news is that there is a quality group of safeties set to hit the market.
We should note that we understand a handful of these players won’t even hit the market, but we’re working under the hypothetical scenario that they become available, regardless of how slim the chances are.
If Chris Ballard decides to add to the position group via free agency, here are 10 players that the front office should target.
Both Kamren Curl and Xavier McKinney — two looming free agents — make sense for the Packers if they want to rebuild the safety position via free agency this coming offseason.
The safety position is one the Green Bay Packers will almost certainly have to address during the 2024 offseason, and it’s possible free agency will be one avenue Brian Gutekunst uses to get the position fixed in the spring.
PFF’s list of the top 50 players set to enter free agency in 2024 provides two potential options for Gutekunst if he’s willing to spend on a veteran: Kamren Curl of the Washington Commanders and Xavier McKinney of the New York Giants.
Curl is a former Day 3 pick (seventh round, 2020) who has developed into a versatile, consistent and reliable defender against the run and in coverage. Sound familiar? His profile screams Adrian Amos, who signed with the Packers as an ascending player in 2019 and gave Green Bay four solid seasons at the backend of the defense. Gutekunst could see Curl as a similar type of fix. PFF ranks Curl as the 21st best player in the upcoming free agent class and a legit contender to get the franchise tag, so his availability is TBD.
McKinney is another versatile safety who cover and tackle. The 2020 second-rounder has missed only 21 tackles in four seasons and has developed into one of the better all-around coverage safeties in football. The Giants have played him at free safety, in the slot and in the box this season and he continues making plays. The Packers could see him as a natural replacement for Darnell Savage, another looming free agent who has struggled to make splash plays and tackle consistently in Joe Barry’s scheme. PFF ranks McKinney as the No. 43 overall player in the upcoming free-agent class.
Savage, Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens will all be unrestricted free agents for the Packers after this season. It’s not clear if any of the three will be back in 2024. Rookie Anthony Johnson Jr. looks like one potential option long-term, but the Packers — regardless of who is the defensive coordinator next season — will need to spend cap dollars or draft capital to get the position fixed. Two young, ascending veterans — Curl and McKinney — are attractive options for the Packers if free agency is the best route forward.
It sounds like the Commanders want to keep Kam Curl around for a while.
The NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday, and the Washington Commanders have multiple players who could be moved. While Washington isn’t expected to move several players, defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young and quarterback Jacoby Brissett are often the most discussed regarding a potential trade.
Clearly, Washington ownership is looking at players on expiring deals and looking to extract some value before they leave in free agency. Apparently, the Commanders have already made their minds up on one player.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, safety Kamren Curl — who is in the final year of his rookie contract — is not expected to be traded. Washington would prefer to sign Curl to a long-term deal.
As the #Commanders sort through potential trade options, the focus is on players in contract years. One that I don't expect to be under consideration: Safety Kamren Curl. The team would prefer to sign him to an extension.
Head coach Ron Rivera has mentioned multiple times in the past he’d like to re-sign Curl. However, Rivera’s job security is tenuous under new owner Josh Harris. But Rivera and the current front office have clearly placed a high value on Curl.
The Commanders have also long maintained they wanted to extend Sweat. However, Washington’s ownership situation stalled any potential extensions for Curl and Sweat, and the Commanders finally realized retaining Sweat and Young would not be a wise investment.
At least you can cross Curl off any list of potential ex-Commanders at Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Former Razorback safety Kam Curl has developed into one of the NFL’s premiere players.
When former Arkansas safety Kamren Curl was drafted in seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, his prognosis for a impactful professional career seemed like a longshot.
The Washington Commanders selected the 6-foot-2, 198-pound Curl with the 216th overall pick, following his junior season with the Razorbacks. He immediately caught the eye of Washington coaches his rookie season, displaying veteran-like tendencies in terms of always knowing where to be.
Now, he has become one of the draft’s biggest steals. In his fourth season with the 3-5 Commanders, he has not only secured his place atop the team’s depth chart, but has developed into one of the game’s best at his position.
Prior to the 2023 season, Curl landed at No. 85 on the CBS Sports Top 100 NFL Players list. And he has not disappointed, becoming Washington’s leading tackler this season with 65 total tackles through the first eight games – an 8.1 per-game clip. He currently ranks 21st in the NFL for overall tackles and sixth in the league with 41 solo stops.
“Pay attention. This kid has developed into one of the best young safeties in the game. He’s good in both the run and against the pass,” the CBS Sports site stated.
The 24-year-old Curl has reached double-digits in tackles three times this season, including a career-high 12 against Philadelphia in Week 4, then an 11-tackle performance against Atlanta two weeks later. He finished with seven tackles and his first career forced fumble in Sunday’s 38-31 loss to the Eagles.
Through the first three-plus seasons of his NFL career, Curl has racked up 335 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions and 13 pass deflections.
“I think the guy that’s kind of starting to find his voice is Kam Curl,” said Washington Head Coach Ron Rivera. “He’s played very well for us. (The secondary group) is really coming together.”
Curl played at least 700 snaps in each of his first three seasons, and finished as a top-30 safety by Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) grade in each of those years. He has played all 482 of the Commanders’ defensive snaps this season.
In 2022, he earned the second-highest grade at the position and was the league’s only safety to earn at least an 80.0 PFF grade in run defense, tackling and coverage. He ended last season ranked as PFF’s No. 4 safety, after posting Top 10 grades as a run defender (80.5) and in coverage (80.8).
Although injuries limited him to just 12 games a year ago, he finished third on the team with 83 tackles and second with 58 solo tackles, which included six tackles behind the line of scrimmage and a sack.
Curl’s lone knock early in his career was his ability to finish plays, but after intense work in the offseason, his tackling skills developed significantly last season. After ranking in the Top 10 in most missed tackles as a rookie, he finished in the Top 10 in fewest missed tackles in 2022.
“Mentally, I’m better,” Curl said. “Seeing stuff, anticipating stuff and knowing what offenses are going to do. All around I feel like I’m a better football player than I was as a rookie.”
That same improvement continued in his man-coverage skills, as well. Much like his missed-tackle rate, his man-coverage grade was much lower in his rookie season, compared to last season. He went from being a middle-of-the-pack man-coverage defender to one of the NFL’s best. He finished with the second-highest man-coverage grade among safeties.
His versatility to play anywhere on the field has also been a bonus for Washington, which allows their defense to give opposing offenses multiple looks without a drop-off in talent. He often lines up as a deep free safety, a slot cornerback or a box player. He can excel in every coverage role asked of him, without losing any leverage in the run game. And despite his smaller frame, he’s not afraid to sacrifice his body at the line of scrimmage.
Curl is in the final year of his 4-year, $3,408,328 rookie contract, which carries an average annual salary of $852,082. He is slated to become a free agent in the spring, and should be able to parlay his rigid performance into a huge cash increase. The NFL’s top safeties earn between $13-19 million per year.
“I feel like I should be getting paid more than I am right now, a seventh-round contract,” said Curl, whose agent is former Arkansas running back Rawleigh Williams III. “I’m proud of myself just to know that it’s a discussion. I’ve worked my way up from a seventh-round pick to now being talked about getting that second contract. That’s what every guy wants coming into the league. They want that second contract.”
Curl came to Arkansas in 2017, out of Muskogee, Okla., and made an immediate impact for the Razorbacks. He started 11 of 12 games his freshman season, then started all 11 contests in each, his sophomore and junior seasons.
He tallied 175 total career tackles at Arkansas. His final season, he registered 76 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles. He was also the first player in the country that season to record a sack, an interception and score a touchdown on a fumble recovery, accomplishing that feat in just the first two games.
Curl was named a second-team All-SEC performer after his junior season, by PFF. His 87.6 overall grade was the highest mark on the team that year and tied for third-highest among SEC safeties.
WHAT A PLAY by Kam Curl💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Makes the hit and strips the ball as the runner is going to the ground! Mayo recovers pic.twitter.com/p5NumFU9PJ
Aug 31, 2019; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Kamren Curl (2) gets ready to tackle Portland State Vikings quarterback Davis Alexander (6) during the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Commanders will be without starting tight end Logan Thomas for their Week 3 game against the Buffalo Bills. Thomas, who suffered a concussion on a touchdown reception late in the second quarter of last week’s win over the Denver Broncos, was ruled out Friday and remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
In some good news for Washington, defensive tackle Daron Payne, who missed Wednesday and was limited on Thursday, was a full participant Friday and will play on Sunday.
Two late additions to the injury report were wide receiver Curtis Samuel and safety Kamren Curl. Head coach Ron Rivera said both were dealing with flu-like symptoms and listed as questionable. However, if the NFL used the old injury designations, they’d be listed as probable.
The Bills had several players on the injury report this week, but everyone who was limited or missed practice earlier this week was a full participant on Friday. That includes tight end Dawson Knox, linebacker Terrel Bernard, defensive end Leonard Floyd and safety Micah Hyde.
The Washington Commanders are 2-0 after Sunday’s 35-33 win over the Denver Broncos. Behind quarterback Sam Howell, the Commanders mounted an impressive comeback from a 21-3 deficit to defeat the Broncos. In addition to Howell, Washington’s defense sacked Denver quarterback Russell Wilson seven times.
It’s been 12 years since Washington began a season with two consecutive wins.
Naturally, players were excited. Unlike in previous years, there’s a new energy surrounding the franchise. Obviously, the ownership situation is one major reason, but the promise surrounding Howell is another. There was also the return of defensive end Chase Young.
After the game, several players took to Twitter to react to the win. Cowboys star linebacker Micah Parsons was even paying attention, sending a message to his friend and former college teammate, Jahan Dotson.
Here are some of the Commanders’ reactions to the win.
Rivera discusses potential contract extensions for players.
The Washington Commanders have done a good job in recent seasons of locking players up before they can hit free agency. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and wide receiver Terry McLaurin are the prime examples.
The Commanders applied the franchise tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne earlier this year and agreed to a four-year extension before free agency began in March.
Heading into 2024, the Commanders have an extensive list of free agents. Safety Kamren Curl and defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young are the most prominent. Washington declined Young’s fifth-year option in April, meaning he would join Sweat as an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
In the offseason, head coach Ron Rivera repeatedly said that the Commanders wanted to keep several of their players. However, the team was for sale, and his staff could not work on contract extensions.
Everything changed on July 20 when Josh Harris took over as the franchise’s owner from Daniel Snyder. Harris named his immediate priorities: improving FedEx Field and the fan experience and supporting Rivera and the team for the 2023 NFL season.
A coaching staff shakeup was another area that had to wait until the ownership change. The Commanders shuffled some offensive coaches around earlier this offseason, but the titles could not become official until the team was sold. On Tuesday, those changes became official.
During his meeting with the media on Tuesday, Rivera was asked if those coaching promotions meant any movement on potential contract extensions.
“Well, not necessarily, other than just the fact that we’re continuing to work with them,” Rivera said. “You know, we’re looking at all the different things that are involved in running the organization and the team, and this has only been five weeks. I mean, there’s a lot of things that they wanna do, and they wanna make sure that they’re being done the right way, and so there is a learning curve that goes with all this. There are some things that are a little more urgent than others, but as we start and continue to go forward, these are all things that will continue to work out with them. The new ownership group has been terrific. They really have. We’ve had a lot of conversations, and we continue to have conversations on a lot of those topics.”
One key from this is Rivera did say they were “continuing to work with them.” The Commanders and the agents for some of these key players likely have maintained contact throughout the offseason, preparing for when they could get to work on extensions. So, both sides likely have an expectation of what the other wants in an extension.
Does that mean any are imminent? It’s unlikely, as Harris and his staff may want to see some of the players on the field before committing hefty contract guarantees into future seasons. But, of course, that could change at any moment.
Could the Commanders get extensions done for some of their key players now?
The Washington Commanders have been in a holding pattern financially for much of the year due to the pending sale of the franchise from Daniel Snyder to Josh Harris.
The Commanders have some key free agents to deal with after the upcoming season. Defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young, safety Kamren Curl, running back Antonio Gibson and wide receiver Curtis Samuel are among Washington’s 2024 free agents.
The Commanders would like to keep most of these players, but with the salary cap, that’s likely impossible. When Rivera spoke about possible extensions for players like Sweat and Curl earlier in the offseason, he acknowledged the team was in a holding pattern due to the ownership situation.
On Saturday, Rivera was asked about his conversations with Harris.
“They’ve gone well, and they stand in a good situation,” Rivera said.
Have the two sides talked about contract extensions for some of those key players?
“Those are all things that are all part of our discussion,” Rivera said. “And again, these are things that we talk about; we’re working into. There’s a lot to do, and to assume anything’s going to happen immediately is unfair because they are still learning and understanding us, and we’re still talking with them and trying to get things lined up and in order.”
The Commanders have plenty of cap space in 2024. Certainly, some of those players will return to Washington, but could Harris wait and see what happens on the field in 2023 before agreeing to any extensions?
It would be wise for the Commanders to get in front of some of these potential deals, particularly for Sweat and Curl. It would then allow Washington the flexibility of applying the franchise tag to Young if he has a big season.
31 Charlie Harraway days until the Commanders open the 2023 season.
Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 31 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 31?
Don Bosseler (1957-64) was a fullback out of the University of Miami, Washington, drafted ninth overall in the 1957 draft. In his eight seasons with Washington, Bosseler carried the ball 775 times for 3,112 yards (4.0 per carry) for 22 touchdowns. He also caught 136 passes for 1,083 yards (8.0 per reception). He was a Pro Bowl fullback in 1959 when he rushed 119 times, gaining 644 yards for a very impressive 5.4 yards per carry.
#OTD in 1956 the Washington Redskins draft Don Bosseler of Batavia in the first round with the 9th pick of the NFL draft. Other players of note drafted are Jim Brown, Len Dawson, Paul Hornung, Jim Parker, Don Maynard, and Sonny Jurgensen pic.twitter.com/hzH00k7zvP
— ThisDateInBuffaloSportsHistory (@BuffSportsHstry) November 26, 2021
Kamren Curl (2020 – current) was drafted in the 7th round by Washington (216 overall) in the 2020 draft. The former Arkansas Razorback Curl has intercepted three passes, including a 76-yard touchdown return against the 49ers in 2020. This past season, Curl registered 83 tackles, including six for a loss, which is a career high thus far. However, Curl missed four games with an ankle and thumb injury. Washington was 2-3 in those games Curl missed.
3 years ago today the #Commanders found a GEM in the 7th round 💎
Kam Curl has been one of the best players for Washington’s defense ever, since getting drafted. #HTTCpic.twitter.com/p0dSSj52zl
Charlie Harraway (1969-73) came to Washington following his first three NFL seasons in Cleveland. In his five Washington seasons, Harraway started 68 of his 69 games, rushing for 2,659 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 146 passes for 1,142 and six touchdown receptions. Harraway teamed with Larry Brown all five seasons as the duo proved to be one of the better pair of starting running backs in the NFL. Also, in 1969, Harraway collected a then-record 55 receptions by a running back in the Vince Lombardi offense. Harraway was instrumental for the 1971-73 playoff teams, back when only four teams in a conference qualified.
Could Percy Butler be the Darrick Forrest of 2023?
When the Washington Commanders selected safety Percy Butler in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft, they had special teams in mind. Butler was a player that NFL draft expert Daniel Jeremiah called the best “special teams coverage player in the entire draft.”
The 6-foot-0, 194-pound Butler put on a show in his pre-draft testing, running the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds. A three-year starter at Louisiana, Butler blossomed into an All-Sun Belt Conference performer on defense.
The Commanders loved Butler’s athletic profile, his physicality and his versatility when selecting him in the fourth round. As a rookie, Butler could fill a number of roles, such as safety, slot cornerback, or Buffalo nickel. But his main role would be on special teams.
Butler would play in 15 games as a rookie, participating in 66% of the special teams’ snaps. He played just 135 snaps on defense.
Could he see a bigger role in 2023?
If you ask head coach Ron Rivera, then yes, he could.
“You know, another young guy to keep an eye on is Percy [Butler],” Rivera said. “You know, Percy’s a guy that runs very well and plays very fast. So, you’ve gotta find ways to get those types of players on the field.”
Rivera mentioned Butler in response to a question about third-year safety Darrick Forrest Jr. Forrest was a fifth-round pick in 2021, and he played mostly special teams as a rookie. In eight games played, Forrest participated in 82% of the special teams’ snaps and just 26 snaps on defense.
Last season, Forrest impressed throughout the offseason enough to earn a starting spot in Week 1 with Kamren Curl out. Forrest was so good, bringing down a key interception that led the Commanders to a win, that when Curl returned, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio made him a permanent starter.
Butler is a lot like Forrest. He starred on special teams, is athletic and also a hard hitter. While Curl and Forrest have the top two safety spots locked up, there is a role for Butler in 2023.
Could Butler be the 2023 version of Forrest?
The Commanders have an exciting young secondary featuring Curl, Forrest, Butler, Benjamin St-Juste and rookies Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin, paired with veterans Kendall Fuller and Jeremy Reaves.
Washington’s defense should be fun to watch in 2023.
