Under new head coach Dan Quinn, the Washington Commanders will attempt to improve on last season’s defence. Quinn was the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator and is widely considered as one of the best defensive brains in football. With Kamren Curl, Kendall Fuller, and James Smith-Williams entering free agency, the Commanders’ already-below-average defence could suffer even more. Jonathan Allen is also a possible trade candidate because he is the defensive player with the highest trade value.
If the Commanders deal Allen, competitive teams will be waiting for him. Among the potential teams, the Houston Texans could be a good fit. Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson proposed a trade that would send Allen to the Texans in exchange for a third-round pick in 2024.
“The Texans have the reigning Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year entering the 2024 season and nearly $70 million in cap space.” Houston can build around C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. this summer by sending a mid-round pick to Washington in return for Allen.
“The 29-year-old Allen admitted in December that he had considered playing for other NFL teams and that he didn’t want to go through another Commanders rebuild.” After trading Sweat and Chase Young in 2023, Washington may be open to another trade.”
Trading another pass rusher may be a bad decision for commanders.
Moving Allen would exacerbate the problem, especially given the decision to transfer Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the trade deadline. The Washington Commanders need pass rushers this summer, so moving a highly regarded player makes little sense.
Allen’s statistics performance was worse than usual this year. He recorded 5.5 sacks, the third fewest in his career. Allen also had just 50 tackles, the fewest since his rookie season, when he appeared in five games.
Allen has already shown discontent with the organization, which could have influenced his play. On a “Sports Junkies” broadcast, he even acknowledged to considering playing elsewhere.
“One thousand percent.” I would be lying to say I didn’t. I play this game to win, and I definitely want to win here. But I want to win first and foremost.
As a player, he benefits the team. However, if Allen is unwilling to assist the Commanders in continuing to improve while they work through this rebuild, he should be assigned to a team with a winning record, such as the Houston Texans.
What Jonathan Allen Could Offer the Texans
If a team trades for Allen, the goal is that they will acquire the 2021 Allen, who had 9 sacks and 55 tackles. The Houston Texans could use that production as they attempt to expand on an already solid foundation.
The Texans averaged 2.8 sacks per game, ranking sixth. They allowed 21.1 points per game, placing 11th. The Texans went from being perhaps the weakest team in football to having the option of dealing for a player of Allen’s calibre.
Allen would offer them another defensive weapon to complement Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson.
A third-round pick might help the Washington Commanders build in the draft, and with over $80 million in cap space, they have the potential to turn their franchise around in the same way the Texans did this season.
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