Ricardo Allen was one of the biggest, most pleasant surprises of the 2015 Falcons season. He went from being a practice squad cornerback under Mike Smith to the team's starting free safety, and he had a fine season, leading the team in interceptions and playing quality ball all year long. The Falcons aren't giving him a fat extension just yet, but he's coming back.

In addition to Ryan Schraeder and Paul Worrilow, the Falcons have tendered exclusive rights FA Ricardo Allen. Glad to hear it. — Jeanna (@jeannathomas) March 7, 2016

Exclusive rights tender for Ricardo Allen should be $525,000. — vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) March 7, 2016

It's a pittance for the man who should start at free safety again this year, and Allen showed the team enough for me to think he may wind up hanging on to the job over the long haul. If they manage to pair him with a safety like George Iloka, he has the chance to improve by leaps and bounds, especially since he's only 24 years old.

The bad news is that Nate Stupar did not receive a tender. Stupar is a core special teamer and someone who played better than any of us expected at linebacker a year ago, so I have to think the team is still interesting in keeping him around. We'll see if they've got a multi-year pact in the works, or if Stupar will walk. We'd miss him here for many reasons, not the least of which is the mailbag, if he went elsewhere.

Thoughts?