HOUSTON -- The
Houston Texans have signed North Carolina State defensive end
Mario Williams to a six-year, $54 million deal, making him the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft Saturday.
Of the $54 million, Williams is guaranteed $26.5 million.
Texans general manager Charley Casserly had cautioned earlier in the week that anyone concluding the team had decided on Southern California tailback and Heisman Trophy winner
Reggie Bush and was only using Williams as leverage was mistaken.
The choice of Williams by the Texans could dramatically alter the landscape of the early segment of the first round. The
New Orleans Saints, with the second choice, have indicated they would snap up Bush if he fell to their slot. But the Saints had hinted, in general, that they might entertain trade offers for their pick.
The availability of Bush at the No. 2 spot would almost certainly elicit trade offers.
Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com senior NFL writer Len Pasquarelli was used in this report.