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Detroit Lions reportedly interested in Eagles DT Beau Allen

The Lions have finally shown some interest in a defensive lineman.

NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Up until now, the Detroit Lions have mostly been linked to running backs and cornerbacks in free agency. However, late Monday evening they have finally been rumored to be interested in a defensive lineman.

According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Lions are pursuing Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Beau Allen:

Allen is a seventh-round pick out of Wisconsin from the 2014 NFL Draft. With the Eagles, Allen has seen a healthy amount of playing time as a rotational piece over the past three seasons. Here’s a look at his statline since 2015:

2015: 16 games (2 starts): 28 tackles, 2 passes defended
2016: 16 games (3 starts): 29 tackles, 0.5 sacks
2017: 15 games (3 starts): 20 tackles, 1.0 sacks

At 6-foot-3, 327 pounds, Allen is most comfortable as a 1 or 3-tech defensive/nose tackle. He’s much more of a run stuffer than a pass rusher. Though it appears the Eagles are moving on from Allen (partially because of their salary cap issues right now), he deserves credit for carving out a role for himself in Philadelphia after a big scheme change when Jim Schwartz came to town in 2016. If anything, Allen found a bigger role under Schwartz, even though his body type is more sculpted towards a 3-4 nose tackle role.

Allen wouldn’t be a huge splash for the Lions, but he represents a versatile option for Matt Patricia to play with, and as Allen would say himself, he’s elephantastic.

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