2012 NFL Free Agents: Why Patriots Must Avoid Signing Mario Williams

Mario Williams is the most talented defensive player available during NFL free agency this offseason and would be a great addition to many teams, but one team that must not sign him is the New England Patriots.

With the realistic possibility that Williams receives $15 million or more per season when he signs his new contract, there is no way New England should hurt its salary cap flexibility by signing the former Houston Texans star defensive end to an enormous deal.

While the Patriots have to upgrade their pass-rush this offseason at the defensive end and outside linebacker positions, there is just too much risk involved in signing Williams because of his recent injury issues.

Williams missed the last 11 games of the 2011 season for the Texans after tearing a pectoral muscle and also missed a few games during the 2010 season due to injury. That's some real injury concerns for a guy that is expected to make almost $20 million next season. 

With about $18 million in salary cap space to work with in free agency, the Patriots won't have enough money to make the upgrades needed if they choose to sign Williams to a mega-deal.

Head coach Bill Belichick needs to upgrade his linebacking corps, defensive line, defensive back depth and find another top-tier wide receiver for quarterback Tom Brady. Signing Williams won't allow him to do all that.

Before the 2010 season, when former Carolina Panthers star defensive end Julius Peppers was the major free-agent prize, the Patriots had the assets in draft picks to acquire him, but did not want to pay him huge money and hurt their cap flexibility. 

That might have been a poor decision by the Patriots, but when you consider that signing Peppers had far less risk than signing Williams does now, there are few reasons for the Patriots to sign the Texans star.

Whether you point to Williams' enormous price tag, injury history or the other Patriots needs, signing the defensive star just doesn't make sense for New England.

The Patriots need a game-changing defensive player, but Williams is not a good fit for this role.

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