NFL Draft: The Greatest 1st Overall Picks Ever

player. 10. It’s amazing how much flak the Houston Texans took in 2006 when they made Mario Williams the #1 pick in the draft. Here was a team in dire need of help on the offensive side of the ball and had college superstars like Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and Vince Young available and instead they choose a relatively overlooked defensive end out of North Carolina State. The criticism was widespread and unrelenting for months afterwards. It wasn’t until a few years later that people realized it was the right call. <p> </p> <p>Williams would reach two Pro Bowls and stockpile 53 sacks during his six seasons in Houston. In terms of individual success, it was by far the best of top names from that draft class. Since then he’s added another Pro Bowl and 43 more sacks in Buffalo. It might not be much longer before “Super Mario” begins to enter Canton territory. That’s for another time though. For now he can satisfy himself knowing he’s earned the label of being a top overall pick.</p>. DE. North Carolina State. Mario Williams . 18