NFL Free Agent Rumors: Mario Williams Would Make Falcons Super Bowl Contenders

The hottest name in free agency only played five games last year, but that hasn’t scared off teams from getting in a potential bidding war for linebacker Mario Williams.

ESPN’s John Clayton is reporting that both the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks have the “most interest” in the 27-year-old that has played his entire six-year career with the Houston Texans.

The Buffalo Bills are interested as well according to Lance Zierlein of the Houston Chronicle:

"

Hearing from good source that Bills making strong push for Mario Williams. Not sure of that has been reported yet

— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 13, 2012"

If Williams is looking to win a Super Bowl in 2012, he has to pick Atlanta.

The Falcons are on the cusp of finally breaking through in the playoffs and shoring up the defense is the No. 1 priority. They will potentially be losing middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and outside linebacker Mike Peterson to free agency and must add a star player alongside the newly signed Lofa Tatupu.

The first overall pick in the 2006 draft has turned into one of the premier pass-rushers in the sport and was able to collect five sacks in only five games before succumbing to a season-ending injury in 2011. His explosiveness off the snap is very impressive.

He had a seamless transition from defensive end to linebacker and there are few, if any players that possess his versatility.

The Falcons don’t have a ton of cap space to play with, but they can afford Williams assuming they let Lofton go. Sure, he was the leading tackler in 2011, but the upgrade would be substantial.

Check back with Bleacher Report’s NFL page for all of the latest updates on Williams and the rest of the 2012 NFL free agent class. 

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