Rams Safeties Overlooked in ESPN Safety Rankings

Internal Praises, External Skepticism

The Rams boast depth at safety, counting Kam Curl, Quentin Lake, Kamren Kinchens and impact back‑end player Jaylen McCollough among their core. While the roster’s own coaches and a large swath of Los Angeles fans view these players highly, a recent ESPN poll of coaches, executives and scouts tells a different story. No Rams defender cracked the publication’s top‑10 safety list, exposing a noticeable gap between internal confidence and outside perception.

Poll Findings: Minimal Recognition

Only Quentin Lake earned an honorable‑mention nod, one of five such selections, and was also among the 12 players who “also received votes.” Kam Curl, despite his box‑score contributions, drew zero votes from the evaluators. The lack of turnover creation by the Rams’ defensive backs may explain the low external regard, yet the players themselves still provide tangible on‑field value.

Why the Disconnect? Versatility and Production

Lake’s ability to play both slot and deep safety fills a critical void, especially with the Rams having struggled to find reliable cornerbacks in recent seasons. Curl logged 122 tackles—second most on the team—along with two sacks, two forced fumbles and five pass deflections. Kinchens, meanwhile, posted elite PFF grades that ranked him among the league’s better safeties, even if the broader polling overlooked him.

Key Stats Highlight Individual Excellence

• Kam Curl: 122 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed – the only safety in 2025 with ≥100 tackles, 2 INTs and 2 sacks.
• Kamren Kinchens: 78.0 PFF grade (8th among qualified safeties), including a 76.8 run‑defense score.
• Quentin Lake: 69.5 PFF grade (24th), but a 76.8 run‑defense rating and notable versatility in multiple defensive packages.

Even with these quantifiable contributions, the Rams’ safeties remain under‑appreciated in the broader NFL landscape.

What This Means for the Rams’ Future

If the national evaluators begin to recognize the on‑field impact of Curl, Lake and Kinchens, the Rams could see a boost in draft capital and free‑agent interest. Their combined skill set—depth, versatility and solid grades—positions the defense to improve once the outside world adjusts its view. Keeping this internal confidence while working to shift external perception will be a key part of the team’s long‑term planning.