Atlanta Falcons

Ricardo Allen picking up steam as the potential starting free safety?

Published Jun. 23, 2015 12:08 a.m. ET

foxsports

Ricardo Allen has had quite a ride to this point. After being cut last year after training camp and being re-signed to the practice squad, it seems that he may do something that very few people expected in 2015.

Allen may start at free safety.

According to Vaughn McClure of ESPN, Allen has worked his way through an intriguing battle to sit as the likely starting free safety, at least at this point.

"Second-year player Dezmen Southward, who has the speed and size but not the ball skills, was moved from free safety to cornerback, leaving veteran Charles Godfrey as the No. 1 option before organized team activities. Quinn said Godfrey, Allen and strong safety Kemal Ishmael would compete for the spot, but Godfrey watched Allen surpass him on the depth chart. Ishmael filled in for a recovering William Moore (shoulder) at strong safety throughout the offseason." McClure explained.

It's not only fans who have been impressed with Allen to this point, as starting strong safety William Moore also gave high praise to the young player.

"Ricardo, No. 1, he reminds me of Ishmael last season ... how he showed up to camp, he showed up with something on his mind to get better and that's exactly what he did," Moore said. "No. 1, he's a heck of an athlete. No. 2, he's got his playbook, it seems, down pat. He spends a lot of time in the film room. Ricardo has showed up."

Ricardo Allen is here to play, now comes the real test in just a few weeks.

(h/t ESPN)

Photo Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports