The Texans should really think about trading down for this guy. He posted freakish combine numbers over the weekend with a mind blowing 35 reps on the bench press. That's an amazing stat considering how long his arms are, and to put that in perspective massive DT Ngata had 37 reps. People considered Julius Peppers to be an athletic freak coming out of college, but compare his measurables to Williams. Mario Williams: 6-7 295 lbs Bench 225 - 35 reps 40-yard dash - 4.66 vertical 40 1/2 inches Julius Peppers: 6-6 1/4 282 lbs Bench 225 - 24 reps 40-yard dash 4.69/4.71 seconds vertical 36-inches Mario Williams – DE – NC State Williams measured in at 6-7, 295. He has met with the Texans, Rams and Panthers. http://www.football.com/cgi-bin/posters/printPost.cgi?category=nflcomments&at=nfl1.shtml
I was the biggest supporter of NOT trading down until I started learning about this Mario Williams guy. He is an absolute freak, and WOW, how about those numbers posted above. Because of their ability, I'm starting to lean toward trading down and taking D'Brick or Mario along with some extra picks and maybe a teams cap casualties (if they're not Tony Boselli types, meaning chronically injured). I am somewhat worried about trading down because there is no disputing that the Texans definately need some fire power. Someone exciting that can take it to the house every time they touch it (or throw it to the house as it may be). My biggest argument for drafting VY (besides talent) was his leadership, a quality it SEEMS David Carr lacks and the Texan sorely need on offense. My biggest argument for drafting Bush was the fact that he was a playmaker, pure and simple, something we also don't have on offense. Mario and D'Brick don't seem to address those issues and I don't think we'll be championship caliber until we fix those two (and of course many other) needs.
That is very impressive. I hope someone offers up a king's ransom for the #1. Texans could sure use it.
In just about any other draft year a freak DE would go #1. I still wouldn't be surprised to see the Texans take Super Mario with the #1 pick but I'm definitely in a tiny minority.
Looking at Mario's size, strength, and speed combination he reminds me of Reggie White. A guy who is strong enough to play DT and has the speed to play DE. Everytime I think of Reggie White I remember him knocking some poor OT on his ass with 1 arm, and then sacking the QB.
This is definately an above average year as far as talent. Having the #1 pick could reap some serious rewards.
Guys like Cutler and Mario Williams could really raise the value of our pick. Hopefully their stock will continue to rise, some team is going to be very interested in the next Julius Peppers.
This draft is unlike any other draft I've seen in a while. There seems to be one absolute stud at nearly every position. TE - Davis RB - Bush OL - Ferguson DE - Williams DT - Ngata LB - Hawk CB - Williams Safety - Huff Then you have the 3 top QB prospects with a huge dropoff afterwards, also a virtual no-name WR crop (Chad Jackson or Santonio Holmes will be the first off the board)
he is definitely a great looking prospect but calling him the next peppers is probably going a little too far right now. peppers was a much more dominant player in college. williams had a great junior year and will definitely be a top 10 pick, but saying he's the next peppers or better than peppers just because of his measurables is going too far. however, i was really impressed by michael huff's performance. everyone knows that he can flat out play but some people in the nfl were doubting his athleticism. Huff 40 time: 4.32 vert.: 40.5 after being estimated at a 4.5 by espn in the 40.
I don't think he will be the next Peppers but I sure hope other teams think so. Almost every team could use a stud pass rushing DE and hopefully teams will want to move up for him. 4.34 for Huff is good, the 40.5 vertical is even better. Huff is already projected as a Top 10 pick. I think these numbers might have solidified it. That's one of the fastest times in the combine IIRC. I believe Chad Jackson ran a 4.32, Sinorice Moss ran a 4.34, didn't McNeal run somewhere in the 4.3's as well? Add in that the fact that there is a TE running in a 4.38 as well!!
tye hill from clemson ran a 4.30. he also outperformed huff in alot of hte other drills. the general consensus is that huff is still the best db this year, but hill just made himself a lot of dough. http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/9273126 btw ced griffin ran a solid 4.46. he has great size and probably solidified himself as a 2nd round pick. he does have some character issues though
