Draft Resource

He boasts the same quickness, wingspan and athleticism as Julius Peppers. Come Saturday, Mario Williams may boast the same bargaining power.

North Carolina State's 6-foot-7, 295-pound defensive end keeps generating comparisons to Peppers, a gifted pass rusher out of North Carolina selected by the Panthers with the No. 2 pick in the 2002 draft.

"I have him rated higher than Peppers," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said. "If Reggie Bush wasn't in this draft, Mario Williams would be head and shoulders the first pick."

Houston has the top choice and Casserly is already negotiating to sign Bush or Williams, who is represented by Ben Dogra. The Saints, currently sitting second, also are thinking hard about Williams, even though they have invested several premium draft picks on defensive linemen in recent years.

And if New Orleans is interested in trading down, Williams has enough skill and upside to prompt a draft-day deal.

"I haven't seen a guy like Williams in years," said Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher, sitting third, behind Houston and New Orleans.

Williams left the Wolfpack after his junior season, closing with a dominating performance against South Florida in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. He registered 1 1/2 sacks and seven tackles in a 14-0 victory against the Bulls, flashing his 4.66 speed against an overmatched offensive line.

"He had some up-and-down games this year, as most people do, but he's a tremendously talented kid," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said. "He looks like what you draw up. You want him to get off the bus first."

As a sophomore in 2004, Williams posted 10 tackles and three sacks against Florida State in a 17-10 loss. He finished his college career with 25 1/2 sacks in 36 starts, excelling down the stretch last season after Coach Chuck Amato challenged him to play with more passion.

Williams doesn't have the basketball background Peppers possessed, but he's stronger than Carolina's standout left end. In high school at Richlands, N.C., Williams averaged better than 10 yards per carry as a senior tailback before switching exclusively to defense in college.

"I just do what I do," said Williams, expected to be the first defensive player off the board Saturday. "I'm just out there and come off the ball - it's second nature. I wanted to play running back, but I guess I was a little too big for that."

Williams thought he was playing effectively last fall, but Amato told him he was taking too many snaps off. Williams responded with 6 1/2 sacks in North Carolina