Vikings get Allen

The specifics of the deal haven’t been announced yet but the Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that the Minnesota Vikings have acquired Jared Allen, Kansas City’s Pro Bowl defensive end.

The NFL Network is reporting that the deal includes the Vikings first round pick and both third round picks and that Allen has agreed to a deal with the team.

Allen led the NFL with 15.5 sacks last season. Negotiations have been ongoing since at least last week, when Allen spent Friday and Saturday at Winter Park with the team.

The teams, according to the Tribune, will finalize the deal Wednesday.

This is a huuuuuuuuuge move for Minnesota, which ranked 32^nd against the pass in 2007. Allen will team with Kevin Williams to form the best defensive line pass rushing duo this team has had since Chris Doleman and Keith Millard were together.

It should also make the much-maligned defensive backfield better – the Vikings corners aren’t great, but they are good enough with a monster pass rush chasing quarterbacks.

The deal also makes sense for Kansas City as well, given their rebuilding needs. It was a steep ransom, but both teams win in this deal.