NFL Trade: Jared Allen to Minnesota Vikings

Late Tuesday night, the Minnesota Vikings made a deal for the reining sack king, Jared Allen.

In exchange for Allen, Minnesota gave up its first round pick (17th), two third round picks (73rd and 82nd). They also swapped the teams sixth-round draft picks. 

This is perfect for the Vikings to make this move at this time because the Vikings were in terrible need for a reliable pass-rushing end since the departure of Lance Johnstone and the unfortunate situation of Kenechi Udeze. Allen's 15-and-a-half sacks last season was good enough for the crown and he wears it proudly. 

Before this deal was brought about, the Vikings were hoping to find a gem in the draft for a defensive end. But the draft is thin with quality in this particular position, other than Chris Long and Vernon Gholston.

Neither was going to fall to the Vikings. 

This also makes their already good D-line almost unstoppable—Allen is going to be battling in the trenches with fellow Pro Bowlers Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.

There is just one thing aginst Allen: in the last eight seasons the sack king never has followed up with a season that matches the previous season. The worst example is Michael Strahan—who had 18.5 sacks in 2003, only to follow it up with four in 2004.