In what has wound up as a stunning turn of events, the Houston Texans have agreed to terms with Mario Williams and will make the N.C. State defensive end the No. 1 pick in Saturday's draft.
FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer is reporting that it is a five-year with an option for a sixth worth $54 million that could go well over $60 million provided that Williams performs at a certain level. Another fact to consider is that the state of Texas has no state income tax, which drives the actual value of the deal even higher.
The deal has not yet been signed. Williams' agents are examining the actual contract and taking a detailed look at its language.
FOXSports.com also first reported late Friday afternoon that the Texans had told Williams' representatives that he was their choice, and that negotiations with the two sides had intensified.
Williams' signing marks the second time that the Texans have had their first-round pick signed before the draft. QB David Carr agreed to a contract prior to becoming the Texans' first-ever draft choice in 2002. The Texans felt that agreeing to terms with the top pick was important in order to ensure that the player will begin training camp along with the rest of the team.
The Texans have spent their past four first round draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive tackle Travis Johnson was the 16th overall selection in 2005, and cornerback Dunta Robinson and linebacker Jason Babin were taken with the 10th and 27th in the 2004 draft.
Williams becomes the first N.C. State player to be taken with the first pick in the NFL draft.
In three seasons for the Wolfpack, Williams started 34 of 36 games. He totaled 175 tackles, 55.5 tackles for loss and 26.5 sacks. His 2005 season will go down as one of the greatest in N.C. State history by a defensive end. He set school records in sacks, with 14.5, and tackles for loss, with 27.5. Williams' sack total ranked fourth nationally and he finished second in tackles for loss.
FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer is reporting that it is a five-year with an option for a sixth worth $54 million that could go well over $60 million provided that Williams performs at a certain level. Another fact to consider is that the state of Texas has no state income tax, which drives the actual value of the deal even higher.
The deal has not yet been signed. Williams' agents are examining the actual contract and taking a detailed look at its language.
FOXSports.com also first reported late Friday afternoon that the Texans had told Williams' representatives that he was their choice, and that negotiations with the two sides had intensified.
Williams' signing marks the second time that the Texans have had their first-round pick signed before the draft. QB David Carr agreed to a contract prior to becoming the Texans' first-ever draft choice in 2002. The Texans felt that agreeing to terms with the top pick was important in order to ensure that the player will begin training camp along with the rest of the team.
The Texans have spent their past four first round draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive tackle Travis Johnson was the 16th overall selection in 2005, and cornerback Dunta Robinson and linebacker Jason Babin were taken with the 10th and 27th in the 2004 draft.
Williams becomes the first N.C. State player to be taken with the first pick in the NFL draft.
In three seasons for the Wolfpack, Williams started 34 of 36 games. He totaled 175 tackles, 55.5 tackles for loss and 26.5 sacks. His 2005 season will go down as one of the greatest in N.C. State history by a defensive end. He set school records in sacks, with 14.5, and tackles for loss, with 27.5. Williams' sack total ranked fourth nationally and he finished second in tackles for loss.
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