10 NFL stars playing for a huge payday in 2021

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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 13: Jonathan Allen #93 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after sacking Josh Rosen #3 of the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

6. DT Jonathan Allen, Washington Football Team

The Washington Football Team is transitioning to the 4-3 this season under new head coach Ron Rivera and new defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. The club is well stocked with outside pass-rushers such as veteran Ryan Kerrigan, second-year pro Montez Sweat and the second overall pick in this year’s draft in Ohio State defensive end Chase Young.

Meanwhile, 2017 first-round pick Jonathan Allen has done his fair share to date as an interior presence. After suffering a rookie campaign in which he was limited to only five games due to injury, he’s rebounded the past two years and been very effective pushing the pocket. He was a 16-game starter in his second year, finishing with 61 tackles and eight sacks.

This past year, he played and started all but one game and totaled 68 stops, a half-dozen quarterback traps and a fumble recovery.

Now Allen and the rest of the defensive front make the adjustment to a four-man line, meaning he will team with Matt Ioannidis on the inside while Kerrigan, Sweat and Young will bring the heat from the outside. So could the presence of those three defenders open things up for Allen and put him in position for a career year?

If that is the case, he could cash in before the final year of what is a five-year deal.

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