The Washington Commanders made changes this offseason to improve their team, especially by choosing Jayden Daniels with the second pick in the draft. However, according to Cory Woodroof of USA Today, the team is still in the process of rebuilding and might want to gather more draft picks. As per Woodroof's proposal, the Commanders would trade Jonathan Allen to the Houston Texans for a 2025 first-round pick.
Commanders receive: 2025 first-round pick
Texans get: Jonathan Allen
Woodroof stated in a May 7 article that the Commanders are currently in a rebuilding phase and having two expensive defensive tackles on the team might pose a problem in the future, so the team could gather more draft picks to build its roster for the future. He added, "Allen is the most experienced member of that defensive line, but he deserves the opportunity to compete with a rising team like the Texans. Woodroof wrote in his article exploring five potential trades during the summer. “Allen is the most senior member of that defensive line, but he deserves the chance to contend with an up-and-coming team like the Texans.
“The Texans should absolutely just do things like the Los Angeles Rams and use first-round draft picks to chase a Super Bowl during quarterback C.J. Stroud’s prime. Draft picks are for losers; just send the Commanders a first-round pick for Allen and add him to your ferocious front seven. This would make the Texans that much scarier for the rest of the AFC this season.”
The Texans are one of the up-and-coming teams in the league, finishing 10-7 and winning a playoff game last season. Allen would get to play a contender for the next two seasons as he still has two years left on the four-year, $72 million contract he signed in 2021.
League Executives Wondering if Commanders Will ‘Consider Offers’ for Jonathan Allen
The Washington Commanders drafted Jer’Zhan Newton in the second round of the draft, giving them another pass rusher. As per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the addition of Netwon “creates an interesting dynamic at defensive tackle.” Fowler mentioned that league executives are wondering if the Commanders will end up moving Allen at some point.
“Having three talented tackles is hardly a bad thing, but a few league execs are wondering if Washington will ever consider offers for Allen, who is due $15.4 million this year and $16.5 million next, below market for high-end tackles,” Fowler wrote on May 7. “The people I’ve talked to believe Washington will need to either rework his contract eventually or decide whether it will entertain trade interest, which it has rebuffed in the past.”
With new head coach Dan Quinn being a defensive-minded coach after serving as the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, the expectation is for the Commanders’ defense to improve after allowing the most points per game in 2023. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Allen will be a big help in fixing the defensive issues.
How Allen Would Help the Houston Texans
Statistically, Allen has impressed over the past three seasons. He had nine sacks in 2021 and 7.5 sacks in 2022. During the 2023 sacks, Allen had just 5.5 sacks, the second-fewest since his rookie season when he played in five games.
However, the Washington Commanders traded Montez Sweat and Chase Young during the season, which might have caused his low sack numbers.
The Houston Texans could improve even more under head coach DeMeco Ryans. Ryans guided his team to top 12 rankings in points allowed per game, sacks, and other important defensive areas.
At 29 years old, Allen would provide them with an experienced player to support their continued progress after an impressive season last year.
