The NFL probably has one of the longest offseason’s in all of professional sports. While the other sports have about a three to four month layoff, NFL fans have to wait about seven months before they can whet their appetites for pigskin again.

In the meantime, fan interest is stoked by player signings, Terrell Owens and the NFL draft.

It’s that time of year again when pundits make draft projections and scouts, coaches and GM’s pore over their notes in preparation for another seven rounds of picks.

Football bettors who are starving for some action can take part in the festivities as well, since sportsbooks accept all sorts of action on the draft.

Like almost every year, there are a number of players worthy of being taken first overall. Read the magazines and do a search on the internet and you’ll see different takes of who people think will be No.1.

Currently www.betmaker.com has USC RB and Heisman trophy winner Reggie Bush as the favorite at -1200, Texas QB Vince Young is listed at +275, Bush’s teammate, QB Matt Leinart is listed at +2000, and all the rest are listed at +10,000, including Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler, whose stock has risen after the combine.

Houston has the No. 1 pick overall and there are some intriguing possibilities.

Last year the Texans finished with an embarrassing 2-14 record. They were winless in their division and 1-11 against conference opponents. In terms of defense they ranked near the very bottom in almost all the categories. They weren’t much better on offense either ranking near the bottom in everything except for rushing and rushing yards per game.

Almost every sporting media outlet has Bush listed as the most talented player in this year’s crop. He has been compared to former top five pick Marshall Faulk and it’s hard to see him dropping out of that top spot.

But Houston has a lot of holes in their roster and could go a number of different ways.

One of the few areas where Houston didn’t stink was in the running game. According to the stats for the 2005-06 season the Texans averaged 4.2 yards a rush and 113.5 yards a game. Which begs the question does Houston take the best available player with Reggie Bush and add to a strength? Or do they trade down and fill another area?

According to various draft guides, the Texans most urgent needs are on the offensive and defensive lines. Houston’s o-line allowed 68 sacks in the 2005 season, while the defense sacked the opposition 37 times, meaning QB David Carr was constantly pressured and the opposing QB really wasn’t.

Which brings up another interesting question, do they pass on Bush and take one of the big three quarterbacks? David Carr was sacked close to 70 times and one has to wonder about his health. Having 6-foot plus, 250lbs plus monsters driving you into the turf 68 times doesn’t help one’s durability. Add to the fact that the Texans have a new coach with a new system and it adds fuel to the QB fire.

David Carr is used to the intricacies of last year’s system and Houston might be better off scrapping Carr and starting from square one with a new QB with a fresh moldable mind.

QB Matt Leinart has been running a pro-style offense at USC and may be the most ready to step into a starting roll. But Vince Young is a more athletic and talented QB and the fact that he won the NCAA football national title with Texas could be used as a marketing ploy. Jay Cutler is being hailed as the second coming of Brett Favre and could be a good pick as well.

Houston could do a number of things come draft day. They could keep the pick or trade it. If they do trade it, Reggie Bush will almost certainly go first overall.