ESPN Insider - Todd McShay, Scouts, Inc.

[JAXwithanX]

Just so everyone is clear: The investigation of alleged illegal benefits provided to former USC running back Reggie Bush and his family is a prevalent college football story, but it will have no bearing on Bush's draft stock.

If Bush is not the first overall player selected in Saturday's draft, it will have everything to do with a failed negotiation between his agent, Joel Segal, and the Texans' front office. After all, what does Texans general manager Charley Casserly care if Bush and his family were living rent-free for the past 12 months?

The Texans continue to play leverage games by keeping contract talks open with NC State defensive end Mario Williams, but Bush is the player the Texans have targeted and continue to target with the top choice. According to what we're hearing, Bush could have a deal done with the Texans by Friday afternoon.

for everyone who hated McShay last week when he was talking about the Williams buzz....well now you can retract and love him because he is reporting possibly good news on Bush....the god-sent RB who will be so much better than DD our whole team will explode making our defense suddenly put pressure on the QB from the shear presence Bush exudes standing on the sideline.

 

[JAXwithanX]

Thats from ESPN Insider Rumors.....

On the contract front, the Texans touched base with the agents for Bush and Williams on Monday but nothing got done. The Texans are going to offer less than what the 49ers paid quarterback Alex Smith last year. That's only natural. Quarterbacks receive a higher premium at the top of a draft.

Bush and Williams will probably hold out to get more than Smith, putting the Texans in a position of picking between the two if they don't get a deal done. Expect it to be Bush without a deal, but they will make every effort to get Bush signed before the draft.

Because they own the first choice in the draft, the Texans are free to negotiate with any of the prospects.