As we head into free agency, the Minnesota Vikings have a multitude of needs. The interior of the offensive line needs work, the secondary is void of talent with four of their starting six players set to be free agents, and running back needs fortifying in a big way. It’s primed to be a challenge for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

The other main area of focus the Vikings need to address in the interior pass rush. They finished the 2024 season second in run defense, but 28th against the pass. Even though they finished fifth in the NFL in sacks, they mostly came from the edge rusher group, as the interior pass rush was lacking. 

Acquiring Jonathan Allen could net the Vikings draft capital

There have been a few different options discussed for the Vikings to improve their interior pass rush. Osa Odighizuwa just signed a four-year, $80 million contract and he was arguably the top option on the market. There is still Milton Williams and Levi Onwuzurike who could be difference makers.

The Vikings could also try and acquire Jonathan Allen from the Washington Commanders who was granted permission to seek a trade last month. SKOR North’s Darren Wolfson reported that Allen would have “all sorts of interest” in playing for the Vikings.

This is where things get really interesting. A team acquiring Allen would inherit just one year on his contract with a base salary of $15 million. Right now, Allen hasn’t been traded but it also makes sense that a team hasn’t pulled the trigger yet.

The latest reporting from The Athletic’s Mike Silver says that Allen will be released if a trade cannot be found.

For the Vikings, they could find a way to add Allen to their defensive line room and somehow add draft capital. How? Using the compensatory formula to their advantage.

It’s something the Vikings did when they signed Aaron Jones last year. If you sign a player that was cut in stead of their contract expiring, they don’t count toward the compensatory pick formula. It’s essentially a cheat code to adding talent while also adding draft capital. The Vikings are 16th in the NFL in adding compensatory picks with 28 while the Baltimore Ravens, who have used this strategy for years, sit atop the NFL with 56.

Right now, the Vikings are projected to not have a fourth round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft due to the Cam Robinson trade. With the possibility of losing both Robinson and quarterback Sam Darnold who could fetch high compensatory picks, using this strategy would be very effective for Adofo-Mensah.

Once Allen becomes available, they should go full force into trying to add him to the roster.