On Thursday, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams was added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement for Oakland defensive lineman Richard Seymour. The award was richly deserved, as Williams was a dominant force in 2010 despite playing on one of the league's worst defenses.

It's a slightly less illustrious award, but nonetheless noteworthy (and certainly deserved): Williams has been named ProFootballFocus.com's Defensive Player of the Year.

According to the site, Williams led NFL defensive tackles in defensive stops and quarterback disruptions in 2010. He had the best game of his professional career in a Week 12 loss to Pittsburgh, recording 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks while forcing guard Chris Kemoeatu into four holding penalties. That earned him the highest grade PFF has ever given out to a defensive tackle.

Williams wasn't a unanimous choice for PFF's award, but did beat out several outstanding defenders for the honor, including Philadelphia end Trent Cole (65 tackles, 10 sacks), San Francisco end Justin Smith (70 tackles, nine sacks), and Kansas City pass rusher Tamba Hali (52 tackles, 14.5 sacks - the NFL's second-highest total).

Buffalo may have a lot of work to do in shoring up its horrific run defense, but Williams represents a true building block for this franchise.