2012 NFL Free Agents: Dallas Cowboys Unlikely to Land Mario Williams?

The idea of having DeMarcus Ware and Mario Williams rush the quarterback from opposite ends is an inviting proposition for the Dallas Cowboys. 

It's inviting enough that the Cowboys almost certainly will look into adding Williams once free agency begins on March 13. But it's not likely to end up happening, says Keith Whitmire of FOXSports Southwest.

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Even if the Cowboys put all their chips into signing Williams, there's no guarantee they will get him...Unless the Cowboys have an "in" with Williams, it's unlikely they will get him at anything less than market value. That would all but cripple the team's ability to address other areas.  

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Whitmire gives a number of reasons why the Cowboys won't be able to get Williams to sign on the dotted line. 

For starters, the Cowboys just slapped the franchise tag on outside linebacker Anthony Spencer—a move that will cost the team $8.8 million in 2012. Ware is also on the cap for almost $5 million next season. 

Adding Williams, who would play outside linebacker in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense, creates a logjam at the position both in numbers and money.

Would Spencer, Ware and Williams all play together? How creative can defensive coordinator Rob Ryan get? And could the Cowboys justify spending $20 million or more on one position?

There's also the interest of other teams that is sure to drive Williams' price tag completely out of the Cowboys' comfort zone.

Whitmore estimates that it may take $14 million in annual salary and over $30 million in guarantees to sign Williams this spring. Compare that with the six-year, $91 million deal Julius Peppers received from the Chicago Bears in March of 2010 and you can see just how crazy the bidding might get for Williams.

The team that eventually signs Williams, will be getting an elite football player and a heavy cap hit for 2012 and beyond. 

The Cowboys also have to consider which positions they designate their precious cap money to this offseason. 

Dallas needs help in several other areas, so putting all the cash in Williams' pot might not make the most sense. Adding help in the secondary, be it Cortland Finnegan or Brandon Carr or some other cornerback, may and arguably should rank higher on the Cowboys' priority list.

If the Cowboys are dead set on getting another pass-rusher, the draft might be the place they look. A pass-rusher that fits their defensive scheme will likely be available when the Cowboys are on the clock at No. 14 over in April. 

In summary, expect the Cowboys to have interest. 

But Dallas signing Williams once he hits the open market seems like a long-shot, no matter how heavily they pursue.