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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:

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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.

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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.

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Another Texan made the list at No. 22:

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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.

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

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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?

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

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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.

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