Why Mario Williams Should Land with the New England Patriots

Mario Williams is set to hit free agency on March 13th, and the defensive end/linebacker may be the most sought after player on the open market not named Peyton Manning.

While the 27-year-old is sure to have plenty of options, his best bet for success would be to sign with the New England Patriots.

New England has a lot of holes defensively, and one thing they desperately need is a pass rusher on the outside. If there is one thing Williams can do—it is to get to the quarterback, as he has shown in his 82 career games in which he has 53 sacks.

The two-time Pro Bowler has been one of the NFL's premier sack masters and when healthy is an impact player in the front seven.

After going his entire six-year career without reaching the postseason, Williams missed Houston's first-ever playoff run as he was sidelined for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. That had to be frustrating for the N.C. State product.

If he wants to win, and wants a chance to win championships, he'll go to New England, where he would be a big part of the team's rebuilding on defense. The Patriots already have one of the NFL's top offenses, but the team's defense was extremely shaky in 2011.

The Pats' front-seven were weak all year long, and outside of nose tackle Vince Wilfork and linebacker Jerod Mayo, it is utterly devoid of play-makers.

Williams would provide an instant boost.

If he is interested in winning, Williams will go to New England, where he could improve under the tutelage of head coach Bill Belichick and be a big part of one of the best franchises in all of sports.