2012 NFL Free-Agents: Why Mario Williams Is Best Value on Market

Mario Williams is the prize of this free-agent class. While he is going to command a big payday, he is going to be worth every penny.

Players like Mario Williams don't hit the free-agent market very often. He is an elite pass rusher. He has shown he can dominate as an end in a 4-3 or as a LB in a 3-4. He also just turned 27. 

Williams is coming off of a torn pectoral muscle that caused him to miss all but five games this past season, but that is not a big red-flag injury. 

This is a guy that already has 53 career sacks, and his best years are directly ahead of him. It is once in a blue moon that a team can add a player like that in free agency. 

Williams' age and ability instantly makes him a prized acquisition, but he has another thing going for him that pushes his value through the roof. 

Versatility is Key 

At 6'6" and 283 pounds, Williams is the prototypical 4-3 defensive end. He has the ideal size and skill set, and this showed with his production. 

Last season, he was asked to switch to the LB position in the 3-4. There were obvious concerns here. Williams is much bigger than the typical OLB in a 3-4, and he had never played the position before. 

Well, he took right to it. In five games he had five sacks. There were also no alarming gaffes or weaknesses in his game as he made the switch. 

This versatility is going to pay huge dividends wherever he ends up. More and more teams are incorporating 4-3 and 3-4 looks. Williams is ready to attack the QB in either set. 

This is the kind of player you can build a defense around, and the kind of player that oppositions have to game plan for. Williams' presence is going to make every player on the defense better, and that is exactly why he is the best value in this free-agent class.