Henry Melton Becomes Free Agent After Cowboys Decline to Pick Up Option

Facing many questions this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have answered one by reportedly declining a three-year option on defensive tackle Henry Melton. 

According to Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News, Melton will now become a free agent and can sign with any team.

"The Dallas Cowboys have declined to pick up the three-year, $24 million option on defensive tackle Henry Melton’s contract, making him an unrestricted free agent for the second consecutive offseason, according to a source," George wrote. 

George's report notes the Cowboys had until Sunday to make a final decision on Melton's contract, which would have paid him $9 million next year, and if he "had been on the Cowboys’ roster on the first day of the new league year March 10, he would have been signed through 2017."

Melton spent the first four years of his career in Chicago, making the Pro Bowl in 2012, before signing with the Cowboys last offseason. He didn't regain that form in Dallas, starting just three games, but he did register five sacks in Rod Marinelli's defense. 

According to Pete Damilatis of Pro Football Focus, the Cowboys found the right way to use Melton that maximized what he does well:

Unfortunately for Melton, his ability as a pass-rusher wasn't enough to convince the Cowboys that he was worth a three-year investment. This also leaves Dallas lacking depth on the defensive line, though Tyrone Crawford did take his opportunity and run with it. 

The good news for Melton is that he's just 28 years old, was healthy all year after tearing his ACL in 2013 and specializes in getting after the quarterback. Teams are always looking for defensive linemen who can cause problems in the backfield. 

Whether Melton will be able to get a contract worth the money he lost in this scenario is another story, but it would be surprising if he is out of work for long.