The Cardinals hold the No. 1 overall pick for April's NFL draft for the first time since 1958. As the day for the Cards to make their selection draws closer, azcardinals.com will take a look at the last 30 No. 1 overall selections and each player's impact on the team and league.
NAME/YEAR: Mario Williams/2006
TEAM: Houston Texans
THE SITUATION: Reggie Bush produced one of the most distinguished college careers ever during his time at USC, and many people believed the star running back would be the first pick in the draft. Instead, the Texans went for Williams, an elite pass-rusher out of North Carolina State.
THE CAREER: While the move was controversial at the time, it proved to be the right one. Williams played six seasons for the Texans and accumulated 53 sacks in 82 games. He made the Pro Bowl twice for Houston and twice more after joining the Bills. He finished his career with the Dolphins in 2016.
THE OTHER OPTIONS IN TOP FIVE: Bush went second to the Saints and had a solid career but never became a star. The Titans took quarterback Vince Young, who played well at times but also did not develop into a game-changer. Tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson went fourth to the Jets and made three Pro Bowls in his 10-year career. The Packers took linebacker A.J. Hawk fifth and he was another solid if unspectacular player.
