Detroit Lions Should Consider Trading for Jonathan Allen Before Free Agency

A Wave of Pre-Free Agency Trades If you’ve been paying attention to the NFL landscape, you’ve probably noticed a flurry of pre-free agency trades. Teams are making bold moves to strengthen their rosters, leaving Detroit Lions fans wondering why their team hasn’t joined the action. While the Lions have been relatively quiet, there is one trade that could make perfect sense for them: acquiring defensive tackle Jonathan Allen from the Washington Commanders.

Why Jonathan Allen is Available Just last week, reports surfaced that the Commanders have granted Allen permission to seek a trade partner. This presents a prime opportunity for Detroit, as Allen could provide immediate help on the defensive line. Several factors make the Lions a logical destination for him.

Addressing the Defensive Line Depth Issue One of the biggest reasons for Detroit to consider this move is the uncertainty surrounding defensive tackle Alim McNeill’s return. While McNeill is expected to recover, his timeline remains unclear. Acquiring Allen would allow the Lions to maintain stability at the position. Once McNeill returns, Allen could shift into DJ Reader’s spot, giving the Lions one of the most formidable interior defensive line units in the league.

Financial Flexibility to Make the Move Unlike some teams struggling with cap space, the Lions have the financial flexibility to make this trade work. Allen is entering the final year of his contract, carrying a $16.47 million cap hit in 2025. Detroit, currently holding the 10th most cap space in the NFL, can comfortably absorb this cost. Additionally, if they choose to extend Allen’s contract, they could restructure the deal to create even more cap room.

A Personal Connection That Could Play a Role Beyond the financial and strategic fit, there’s also a personal connection that could help facilitate this move. Lions linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton is a close friend of Allen. The two played together at Alabama and later reunited with Washington. Their eight-year defensive chemistry could be a valuable asset for the Lions’ defensive unit.

What a Trade Package Would Look Like Given the state of the trade market, the Lions wouldn’t have to give up a fortune to acquire Allen. Here’s a potential trade scenario:

• Lions receive: Jonathan Allen
• Commanders receive: 2025 fourth-round pick

This trade proposal is inspired by a similar move from 2018 when the Lions traded a fifth-round pick for Damon Harrison, who was two years removed from his All-Pro season. Allen, now 30 years old, is two years removed from his last Pro Bowl season and recently recovered from a torn pectoral injury. Despite that setback, he remains a dominant force on the defensive line. His recent performances justify a slightly higher trade value than Harrison, making a fourth-round pick a reasonable price for Detroit.

A Move That Aligns with Detroit’s Super Bowl Aspirations The Lions are in win-now mode, aiming for a deep playoff run and, ultimately, a Super Bowl victory. Depth is crucial for such ambitions, and adding Allen would provide not only depth but also high-level talent in the trenches. Financially, the move wouldn’t cripple Detroit, nor would it deplete their draft capital.

If general manager Brad Holmes is serious about building a championship-caliber roster, pulling the trigger on this trade would be a smart move. With free agency looming, this could be the perfect moment for Detroit to make a statement by acquiring Jonathan Allen.