NFL Free Agency 2012: Williams Heads This Year's FA List

Pete Prisco over at CBS Sports put together a list of the top 50 free agents this year. None other than Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams heads the group. Here's what Prisco has to say about him:

One player I don't expect to get the tag is Houston defensive end/outside linebacker Mario Williams. If the Texans were to tag him, his franchise number would be $22 million. That's way too much for a cap-strapped team.

If he hits the market, I would expect him to become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. Williams just turned 27 in January and he has 53 career sacks in 5 1/2 seasons.

Another Texan made the list at No. 22:

22. Chris Myers. C, Houston Texans: He was one of the better centers in the NFL last season, a perfect player for their cutback schemes. He turns 31 in September.

Go check out the entire rankings, but there are some interesting highlights, including these intriguing guys:

12. Robert Mathis, DE, Indianapolis Colts: - He's older, but would he fit into Wade's system if Mario leaves? Would the Texans try to spend money on him or just keep Brooks Reed there?

25. Anthony Spencer, OLB, Dallas Cowboys: - Worked in Wade's system and might be a replacement for Mario if his price runs too high.

49. Mario Manningham, WR, New York Giants - I wonder if the Texans would go after a mid-priced guy like Manningham and still draft a guy in the second or third round to replace Andre Johnson down the road.