Bengals signing safety Ricardo Allen adds another depth piece
By Larry Horn
Former Atlanta Falcons safety Ricardo Allen signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. This is a continuation of signing quality depth players in a very weak secondary the last couple of seasons. Allen is 5’9 and 186 pounds was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2014 in the fifth round.
Allen runs a 4.53 40-yard dash which is decent for a safety. Allen is strictly a depth piece with an enormous veteran presence. The Bengals have been dying to get a veteran leader to show the younger guys how to get things done. Allen is a great locker room guy. This signing will provide an immediate impact on and off the field.
What will Ricardo Allen give to the Bengals?
Last season Allen had 19 solo tackles and two interceptions. Allen was targeted 16 times and allowed nine receptions. The overall grade from Pro Football Focus for Allen was 62.4 last season. That isn’t great but Allen was dealing with injuries and keep in mind he is strictly a depth piece for Cincinnati.
Allen will be backing up possible top-five safety duo Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell. The Bengals lost Shawn Williams in free agency so adding Allen was a step in the right direction.
Ricardo Allen is an average talent
Allen has had a career of injuries and also had a lot of inconsistency. In 2018, he only played three games due to injury. In 2020, he played 12 games and was playing all season with nagging injuries. His best years were in 2016 and 2019 but he never made a Pro Bowl.
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Allen has never had an elite year but that is not what the Bengals are looking for. When Allen is on, he is a guy that can get 70 to 90 tackles as a starter so the Bengals should expect 20 to 30 tackles in a backup role. Allen can also get an interception or two.