Falcons sign Ricardo Allen to reported 3-year, $19.5M extension

The Atlanta Falcons announced the signing of safety Ricardo Allen to a three-year contract extension.

Allen's new deal is worth $19.5 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Atlanta had been working toward a deal with Allen since he was tendered at the second-round level as a restricted free agent in March. It's a good bargain for the team, as the 26-year-old becomes the league's 15th highest-paid safety (in a tie) in terms of average annual value.

Atlanta continues to lock up their young core, with Allen following left tackle Jake Matthews and quarterback Matt Ryan who inked extensions this summer. The team also gave head coach Dan Quinn a new contract in July.

The Falcons drafted Allen in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The safety has played a key role on the team's defense over the last three seasons, proving to be an excellent schematic complement to strong safety Keanu Neal.

The versatile defensive back accumulated 54 tackles and one interception in 2017.

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