NFL Draft shocker: Texans pick Mario Williams; bypass Bush and Young
For the last two weeks, the Houston Texans told everyone they were serious about using the first pick in today’s NFL draft on North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams, but no one believed them.
Today, Texans fans better believe it, because it’s true.
back Reggie Bush, the Heisman trophy winner, and former Madison High School and University of Texas quarterback Vince Young, who is expected to be picked third overall by the Tennessee Titans.Williams, a 6-7, 295-pound junior, ran a 4.70 40-yard dash at the Indianapolis scouting combine and registered 14 1/2 sacks and 27 1/2 tackles for loss for the Wolfpack last season. He signed a six-year, $54 million contract with $26.5 million guaranteed over the first two years.
General manager Charley Casserly said the controversy involving Bush and his family had nothing to do with the Texans’ decision. Bush has been at the center of a fire- storm since it was disclosed that his parents had been residing in a San Diego-area house without paying rent.
The Texans have come under intense criticism for passing up Young, the hometown hero who led the Longhorns to the national championship. Bypassing Bush, too, for a defensive end, even though Williams was the highest-rated defensive prospect available, could cause them more grief from fans and media.
Owner Bob McNair told Casserly he wanted to have the top pick signed before the draft, as it had in 2002 when the team took David Carr No. 1.
Williams’ best position is left end, but the Texans gave Baltimore free agent Anthony Weaver a $12.5 million signing bonus to play that position. Williams will play right end, probably forcing Antwan Peek — now their best pass rusher — back to outside linebacker.
Williams, a native of Richlands, N.C., is the fourth consecutive defender the Texans will have selected in the first round. He follows tackle Travis Johnson, cornerback Dunta Robinson and end Jason Babin.
Regisuzuki says: I told you fellas. "You can have your Reggie Bush, your Matt Leinart, Vince Young, or Vernon Davis. If there is one player to put your money on in this year’s draft - the one player most likely to make an immediate and long impact in the NFL - it would have to be North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams."
