Los Angeles Rams Free Agency: Rams Lose C Coleman Shelton, But Pick Up S Karmen Curl

There is significant Los Angeles Rams free agency news on the Ides of March: While the Rams lost Center Coleman Shelton, they picked up Safety Karmen “Kam” Curl.

In the NFL’s “free agency frenzy“, the Rams have made quite a splash.

Here’s a look at the most recent free agency news involving the Rams, together with an assessment of the overall impact of the Rams; free agency moves.

Coleman Shelton

Coleman Shelton is 28 years old. He is 6’4″ and weighs 299 lbs.

Shelton grew up in Pasadena, CA. As a three-star recruit out of Loyola High School, he joined the Washington Huskies. He became a captain of the team and was first-team All-Pac 12 in 2017.

In 2018, the San Francisco 49ers signed Shelton as an undrafted free agent. However, the 49ers released him at the end of training camp. He spent the 2018 season on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. The Cardinals cut him in 2019, and he signed with the Rams.

In the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Coleman played in 11 and 15 games, respectively. In those seasons, he was a special teams player. Then, in Week 13 of the 2021 season, Coleman took over at Center for the Rams. He played in all four of the Rams 2021 postseason victories, including Super Bowl LVI.

Coleman played the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Rams, starting 13 games in the 2022 season and all 17 regular season games in the 2023 season.

As a result of the Rams making significant free agency moves concerning their offensive line in the first few days of the 2024 free agency market, it became clear that Steve Avila is going to move into the starting center position. Thus, the road was paved for Coleman to move on. And, as the Ides of March drew near, Coleman signed with the Chicago Bears.

Kam Curl

Born in 1999, Karmen “Kam” Curl is 25 years old. He is 6’2″ and 198 lbs.

As a three-star recruit, Curl went to the University of Arkansas. In his freshman season with the Razorbacks, Curl played cornerback. However, he played safety in his sophomore and junior seasons. As a junior in 2019, he had 76 tackles and two interceptions.

Curl decided to forego his senior year in college and declared for the 2020 NFL Draft. The Washington Commanders selected him in the seventh round.

Midway through his rookie season, Curl took over the role of starting strong safety for the Commanders.

Over the course of four seasons with the Commanders, Curl played in 60 games and racked up some impressive stats: He made 385 tackles (including 16 tackles for loss), five sacks, had three interceptions (including one pick-six), and forced two fumbles.

As the Ides of March drew nigh, news broke of Curl signing with the Rams.

Former #Commanders safety Kamren Curl is signing with the #Rams on a two-year deal worth up to $13 million, sources tell me, @MikeGarafolo and @RapSheet. A rising star headed to L.A. and he’s still only 24. pic.twitter.com/mUf6ImkjEZ

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2024

NBC News reports:

“The Rams have added a solid piece to their secondary in free agency.

“Safety Kamren Curl is signing a two-year deal with the Rams, according to NFL Network. The report says the deal is worth ‘up to’ $13 million, which usually means the actual cost to the Rams’ salary cap will be less than $13 million over the next two years.

“That’s a good deal for the Rams for a player who has shown a lot of promise in his NFL career and just turned 25 years old. In his four NFL seasons, all in Washington, Curl started 53 games.

“Last season Curl sat out the Commanders’ season finale but played every single defensive snap in all 16 games before that. The Rams will hope he can become a reliable member of their secondary, and that he proves to be a bargain signing in a year when safeties are signing for less money than expected.”

The Impact of the Los Angeles Rams Free Agency Moves

The Los Angeles Rams free agency moves have been coming fast and furious in the 2024 offseason.

The Rams have solidified their offensive line by signing Jonah Jackson and re-signing Kevin Dotson and by placing a second-round tender on Alaric Jackson. Their 2024 offensive line seems to now be all set.

Significantly, the Rams also brought in TE Colby Parkinson, whose run-blocking prowess will serve to enhance the strengthened offensive line.

And now, with the addition Kam Curl, the Rams have addressed what analysts labeled a critical area of need — their secondary. Curl is regarded as a rising star, described by Ian Rapoport as “one of the NFL’s most under-the-radar ballers.”

While you (and I) were sleeping… the #Rams agreed to terms with Kam Curl, one of the NFL’s most under-the-radar ballers. https://t.co/qsncLVmXZe

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2024

Along with the recent signing of CB Darious Williams, the Rams have made significant strides in fortifying their defensive secondary.

The 2024 free agency frenzy for the Rams has been active and productive.