The Atlanta Falcons have followed up their huge Jake Matthews extension by locking up another important piece of their young core. The Falcons have agreed to a three-year, $19.5 million extension with safety Ricardo Allen, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Allen, 26, was a fifth-round pick by the Falcons in the 2014 NFL Draft. However, he didn’t actually play during his rookie season as he was cut before the start of the season and was signed to the practice squad.
But Allen suddenly had a huge role on the team in 2015 as he was converted from cornerback to safety. He ended up starting 14 of the 15 games he played and recorded 68 tackles, three interceptions, and a sack.
He’s since emerged as one of the most integral pieces of the Falcons defense. He’s started 45 out of 46 games over the last three seasons, making six interceptions.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank had some kind words for Allen prior to the extension being finalized.
“He's part of our family and represents the best of everything we're about on the field, off the field,” Blank said per Vaughn McClure of ESPN. “He's another one of these guys that will be a Falcon for life.”
Allen is the second of three Falcons the team intended to sign to extensions this offseason. With Matthews’ extension done first, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is the lone remaining player of the three yet to get his deal done.
Allen’s extension also means the Falcons have three of their four starters in the secondary under contract until 2020. Pro Bowl corner Desmond Trufant is locked up until 2022 while Robert Alford is through 2020.
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