2012 NFL Free Agents: Teams That Make Most Sense for Mario Williams

Mario Williams is set to become a free-agent today and there will be no shortage of suitors that will inquire for his services. 

Williams missed a majority of the 2011 season with a torn pectoral muscle, but that won't stop teams from parting with millions of dollars to acquire one of the leagues top pass rushers. 

The former No.1 overall pick is only 27 years old and has the ability to play linebacker in the 3-4 or be a straight up pass rusher in a 4-3 defense. 

This flexibility is what defensive coordinators love so it is difficult to count out any team. Williams will be back to his elite form in 2012, and here are the teams that make the most sense for his services.  

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons run a 4-3 system that would allow Williams to showcase his true pass-rushing abilities. 

Atlanta would like to bring back veteran free agent John Abraham as well, which would provide the team with one of the leagues top duo's at the position. 

The Falcons are a team that is set up to win now and as we have seen with the Giants, a dominant pass rush can push a team to the next level. 

Chicago Bears

The thought of having Julius Peppers and Mario Williams opposite each other may cause a few nightmares for opposing quarterbacks, and it is a clear possibility according to a source. 

According to John “Moon” Mullin of CSNChicago.com, multiple NFL sources say the Bears are the favorites to sign Williams. The signing of Williams in Chicago would benefit a secondary that struggled more than usual last season and it would take a ton of pressure off an aging linebacking core.  

Houston Texans

The Texans had one of the league's best defenses last season even without Mario Williams playing in 11 games, which makes wonder how much better that it could have been with him. 

Williams is already comfortable in Wade Phillips system, and this Texans team provides an excellent supporting cast that has a great shot to compete for a championship. 

A number of reports have suggested that the Texans are ready to move on without Williams, but resigning with them still makes a lot of sense regardless. 

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have a number of holes on the defensive side of the football, but there is no question that this team has the ability to compete for a championship again next season.

Mario Williams would provide an instant spark this defense that already has two quality pass rushers in Andre Carter and Mark Anderson. 

Williams would be able to play both linebacker and defensive end in Bill Belichick's system because the coach loves to rotate from a 4-3 to a 3-4 on any given drive. If Williams is looking for flexibility and the possibility of a championship, then New England is the place to be. 

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers dominated on the defensive side of the ball all season long, but the team did have times were the pass rush was not as consistent as it would have liked. 

Mario Williams will come at a high price for a team that has about one-third of its 2011 roster without a contract, but his proven flexibility at the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position would fit perfectly into Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme. 

Williams would be able to keep the aging Justin Smith fresh by taking plays away from him during a game, and he would also allow Fangio to have both Smith's on the filed with him rushing the passer on the defensive line at the same time (which is a similar look that the Giants used with Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul). 

This is a tough to move to actually see happening, but it makes the most sense if both parties can work out a deal. 

Seattle Seahawks

According to the Seattle Times, there's a "pretty strong buzz" the Seahawks will aggressively pursue free agent DE/OLB Mario Williams. 

Pete Carroll and the Seahawks have publicly announced that they want to improve their pass rush, and Williams would do just that. 

Williams would fit in well opposite of Chris Clemons and he would provide some star power to a very young and underrated defense.