The Dallas Cowboys have been off to a slow start in free agency, but things could be picking up quick when Jared Allen visits, as he could be the perfect replacement for DeMarcus Ware along with free agent target Henry Melton, while other teams like the Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears and NY Jets are also looking at both players.
Allen comes into free agency after having 11.5 sacks last season with the Minnesota Vikings and while ESPN.com reported that Allen already turned down a three-year, $30 million deal for Denver Broncos and that could have been a major mistake if money was what he was looking for. The Broncos signed Ware after he was released by the Cowboys and while Allen will be 32 years old next season, he has been a durable and consistent player for his entire career and now he has the chance to sign with another team.
Allen comes in after playing in all 16 games in each of his six seasons with the Vikings and in each of those years he had at least 11 sacks with Minnesota and before that he was nearly as consistent, missing just three games with the Chiefs. According to Pro Football Talk, the Seattle Seahawks are a prime option for Allen along with the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons and he could end up signing with the Cowboys after visiting with them, but he likely will be patient. Allen may have been hurt by the fact that Justin Tuck, DeMarcus Ware and Julius Peppers were all on the market and now he may get less money than expected overall.
Allen has nearly 130 sacks in his career and the fact that he will cost less is a good thing for Dallas, as they do not have too much to spend under the cap now even with letting Ware go. The team signed Brandon Weeden as a backup quarterback and Ware heads to the Broncos after getting paid $13 million this season and $20 million guaranteed and Allen wishes he will make even close to that money now. Allen could also be in the mix for the Raiders after they signed Tuck and LaMarr Houston and they could look to add Allen as well.
Melton is the top defensive tackle on the market after Linval Joseph signed with the Vikings and he comes in after getting injured last season and missing the year and at 27 he could get some attention. He made the Pro Bowl under defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli in Chicago and now he is in Dallas and that could lead to a reunion. Tuck and Allen are a bit on the older side and while Peppers is coming off of a down year, all three are solid options to come in and take over for Ware. The Raiders are going to make a push after losing Lamarr Houston, but if they don't sign in Oakland, Dallas is a possible destination.
