NFL Draft: Ranking the last 20 No. 1 overall draft picks
By Kyle Edmond
No. 13 – Mario Williams, Edge Rusher, Houston Texans, 2006 NFL Draft
Just four seasons after taking David Carr to kick-start the franchise, the Texans found themselves at the top of the draft once again, this time turning to the defense with Mario Williams.
One of three edge rushers taken with the first pick over the last 20 years, two of whom went to Houston, Williams took the college football world by storm and was still the selection despite being in the same class as Reggie Bush and Vince Young.
Over six seasons with Houston, Williams didn’t disappoint, being selected to two Pro Bowls and playing in all 16 games each of his first four seasons in the NFL. However, after two seasons of missing at least three games, playing in just five during the 2011 season, Williams moved on to Buffalo.
With the Bills, he returned to the Pro Bowl two more times as well as being a First-Team All-Pro in 2014.
During his career, Williams provided as solid a pick as anyone else in his class. He provided a force on the defense for the young franchise and created the foundation that has provided J.J. Watt’s career. Considering the rest of the class, it seems like the Texans did about as well as they could have with Williams.