The Atlanta Falcons have signed cornerback Robert Alford to a four-year contract extension.
The fourth-year corner from Southeastern-Louisiana has played in 53 games with 41 starts for Atlanta. Alford has recorded nine interceptions, returning two of those interceptions for touchdowns, during his career. His two defensive touchdowns rank tied for first among players selected in the 2013 NFL Draft, and his nine interceptions rank second. In week four versus the Carolina Panthers, Alford recorded two interceptions and became one of three players since 2014 with three multi-interception games.
Alford has also recorded 135 total tackles and 45 pass deflections during his time in Atlanta. The Hammond, Louisiana native currently has 12 passes defensed on the season, which leads the team.
This season, Alford stepped up in a major way when Pro Bowl cornerback Desmond Trufant went down with a season ending injury. Since week nine, Alford has only allowed 12 receptions, which is the third-lowest mark allowed by a cornerback who has played 75-percent of his team's defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus – only Richard Sherman (eight) and Darrelle Revis (11) have allowed fewer receptions.
