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Mario Williams was drafted as the first overall pick in 2006 by the Houston Texans. Selecting the North Carolina defensive end over Reggie Bush was one of the biggest draft shocks in modern history.
Reggie Bush was one of the most highly-rated prospects of the 2006 NFL Draft. Coming out of the USC Trojans football program, the running back was an electrifying playmaker who won the Heisman Trophy in 2005.
Many experts and analysts predicted that he would be selected as the first overall pick by the Houston Texans. However, the four-year-old franchise suprised everyone by choosing Williams in one of the biggest draft-day decisions in the history of the league.
Why was Mario Williams selected by the Texans?
The Houston Texans didn't discover Williams out of the blue. They had been keeping an eye on him for quite some time and were impressed with his performance. The team’s general manager, Charley Casserly, closely observed Williams during his last year in North Carolina.
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Despite their interest in Williams, the Texans still had their doubts about him. However, their reservations were put to rest after the 2006 NFL Combine. While they recognized that Williams had immense strength, they were initially worried about his tendency to take off plays, his lack of aggression, and perceived lack of athleticism.
When considering Reggie Bush, Houston faced a more complex decision. While Bush appeared to have the talent to make an immediate impact, Houston still preferred Williams. The issue for Houston was not about determining who the better player was, it was more about what they believed Mario Williams could offer their team.
Houston had reached an agreement with both players for similar contracts just before the draft. However, they made the surprising decision to select Mario Williams as their top choice over the best player available at the time, Reggie Bush. The idea was not welcomed by fans, but the Texans front office had no doubt it was the best.
The eventual result of the decision
Many fans and analysts were critical of the move, but in hindsight, it proved to be a wise decision by Houston Texans' management. Mario Williams’ selection paid off as he had a highly productive career during his time with the franchise.
In his six seasons with the Texans, Williams recorded 53 sacks and 11 forced fumbles and was named to the Pro Bowl twice. He was a key member of the team's defense, helping them reach the playoffs for the first time in their relatively short history in 2011.
Reggie Bush, on the other hand, had a decent but unremarkable career with the New Orleans Saints and later with the Miami Dolphins. The running back was unable to fully realize his potential in the NFL.
Eventually, Mario Williams’ selection in 2006 proved to be one of the most astute first-round picks in the history of the draft.
