2012 NFL Free Agents: Landing Mario Williams Would End Bills' Playoff Drought

Having not made the postseason since 1999, the Buffalo Bills have long been an afterthought in the NFL. However, if they can find a way to land free agency's biggest fish, defensive end Mario Williams, all that will soon change.

The Bills surprised many on Tuesday as Buffalo's powers that be picked up Williams via private jet in North Carolina and flew him back to Buffalo in an effort to court him, according to Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News.

Williams had dinner with Bills general manager Buddy Nix, head coach Chan Gailey, defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt, CEO Russ Brandon and defensive tackle Kyle Williams. Rumors continued to circulate that the Bills were ready and willing to make him the highest paid defensive player in the league currently and perhaps in league history.

The night came and went without a deal getting done, but the sentiment is that the Bills are the leaders in the clubhouse and will continue to put the full-court press on Williams to sign. The Bills are in a difficult position because in order to lure in free agents they need to improve, but in order to improve they need to sign impact free agents.

Nabbing Williams would be a huge step for the organization as the playoffs would be a realistic proposition for the first time in years. The Bills were only 6-10 this past season, but they started 5-2 and showed plenty of promise. The offense looks to have staying power with the likes of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, running back Fred Jackson and wide receiver Stevie Johnson, but the defense needs a face lift.

Williams would provide a sufficient one to say the least as he is one of the premier pass-rushers in the league. Due to the fact the Houston Texans are up against the salary cap, they don't have the funds to keep Williams. It isn't often that an excellent, 27-year-old, former No. 1 overall pick hits the market, but that is the case with Williams.

The Bills ranked 27th in the league last season with just 29 sacks and that was a big reason why the defense struggled mightily late in the season. Williams missed all but five games last season due to a torn pectoral muscle, but he racked up at least 8.5 sacks in the previous four seasons, including two double-digit campaigns.

Buffalo hasn't had that type of threat since Aaron Schobel retired several years ago, and it hasn't had a pass-rusher as explosive as Williams since all-time great Bruce Smith. When you add two stud defensive tackles to the mix in Marcell Dareus and a healthy Kyle Williams, the Bills could have one of the best defensive lines in football.

Now it all comes down to Williams' willingness to sign, of course. According to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Williams has at least one other visit scheduled today. It isn't clear, however, if Williams left Buffalo or if he would be staying on Wednesday to tour the facilities.

If Williams is still in the area, the Bills' brass must do everything possible to stop him from leaving. Bills fans have been waiting for something to get excited about for a long time, and signing Williams would constitute just that.

Buffalo's defense would automatically become worlds better with Williams' addition because it would give other players along the line more space, and it would also make the secondary look better since opposing quarterbacks would have less time to throw.

With the New York Jets and New England Patriots likely to remain largely the same and the Miami Dolphins seemingly fading in their bid to lure free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning, the Bills have a chance to make a lot of noise in the AFC East. It's fair to say that it's Williams or bust, however.