The Detroit Lions are finalizing their free agency plans, but more options continue to become available before the start of the new league year on March 11. The Minnesota Vikings have been frequent contributors to this year’s free agent pool, releasing several potential targets, including Javon Hargrave, as they look to become cap compliant.
The Lions probably have their eyes on what’s happening in Minnesota and could have their ears perk up with the pending release of defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Vikings are expected to release Allen before the start of the league year, helping them eliminate the $46.6 million they stand over the cap entering Thursday, per Over The Cap.
While no tears will be shed over the Vikings' misfortune, the Lions could capitalize on the free agent mistake and add depth to a defensive tackle group that could need it going into the 2026 campaign.
Jonathan Allen Could Find His Way to Lions After Vikings Release
The Lions' defensive tackle spot has a pair of projected starters in Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams, but the group behind those two is looking thin. Detroit scored an early offseason win when Levi Onwuzurike’s contract tolled to the 2026 season after suffering a season-ending knee injury before training camp in 2025. However, both Roy Lopez and DJ Reader are scheduled to become free agents with a strong possibility that one or both could leave when the market opens next week.
Even if the Lions stood pat with McNeill and Williams, there are some concerns. McNeill wasn’t the same player when he returned from an ACL last October, logging a career-low 52.1 overall grade and 47.2 run defense grade while generating 23 pressures and no sacks on 318 pass-rushing snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. The Lions could also wind up trading McNeill to create salary cap space, leaving a huge hole in the middle of the defensive line.
Tyleik Williams also improved as his rookie season progressed, but he hasn’t ascended to game-wrecker status with a 62.1 overall grade from PFF, after compiling 19 pressures and a sack on 225 pass-rushing snaps.
Those performances and the normal wear-and-tear for defensive tackles make it necessary to not only find depth in free agency, but also find someone who can play in a pinch. Allen can fit the bill and has an impressive resume, which includes a pair of Pro Bowl appearances in 2021 and 2022.
But Allen’s play has declined over the past three seasons. Allen hasn’t posted an overall grade over 60 since 2022, according to Pro Football Focus, and last year was a career-low 53.2 grade accentuated by 34 pressures and 3.5 sacks on 411 pass-rushing snaps.
After turning 31 in January, Allen may be a backup at this stage of his career, but that would be just fine for the Lions. If they want to find a replacement for Lopez or Reader, Allen would fit the bill and give the Lions the kind of effective depth they’ve been struggling to find over the past couple of seasons.