Falcons lock up Alford with 4-year extension worth reported $38M

The Atlanta Falcons signed cornerback Robert Alford to a four-year contract extension, the team announced.

The deal is worth $38 million with $21 million in guarantees, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The 28-year-old former second-round pick is playing as the Falcons' top cornerback with Desmond Trufant on injured reserve.

While Trufant is a star, Alford is no slouch, either. He has broken up 12 passes and picked off two this season, taking one back for a touchdown.

Though he has a propensity to gamble, and takes more penalties than his coaches might prefer, the Falcons are retaining him at a reasonable price, and his presence should help solidify the secondary for years to come.