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NFL Mock Draft 2013: SI's Banks projects WR Terrance Williams to Texans

Sports Illustrated's Don Banks projected deep threat wideout Terrance Williams to Houston with the 27th pick.

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The Houston Texans ranked in the top ten in the NFL in total offense last season, and if not for a late season slide, would have taken the top seed in the AFC. They have their quarterback in Matt Schaub, their stud running back in Arian Foster and a solid offensive line. But outside of Andre Johnson, their wide receiving corps is weak.

Add in a solid No. 2 receiver to that list and the Texans offense could reach another level.

For more NFL Draft news and analysis, visit Mocking the Draft

Sports Illustrated's Don Banks follows a similar logic and sees wide receiver as the Texans' biggest need in the upcoming draft. At No. 27, Banks projects the Texans to select wide receiver Terrance Williams from Baylor. Given his explanation of the pick, he sees the Texans as drafting on need and not necessarily Williams in particular.

The Texans don't have anyone to draw coverage away from Andre Johnson, and DeVier Posey's knee injury in the playoffs makes the situation even more dire. Williams, Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins, USC's Robert Woods, Tennessee's Justin Hunter or Tennessee Tech's Da'Rick Rogers are all possibilities to consider late in the first round.

Williams recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.52 in this past week's NFL Combine. He didn't finish as a top performer in any category. He does not grade out as a first-round pick in many mock drafts.

Matthew Fairburn of SB Nation's Mocking the Draft takes a different approach to the Texans' draft. Unlike most analysts who believe Houston will select a wide receiver, in his latest mock draft Fairburn mocks a much more interesting player: Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o.

Manti Te'o's draft stock is tough to pin down. As a player, he's a mid-to-late first round prospect. Add in the distraction he could bring, and it's tough to tell which teams will want to take a chance on him. He makes sense for Houston because of the leadership in place and the need in the middle of the defense.

Te'o would be a valuable selection for any late first-round team in need of a linebacker, but as Fairburn mentions, the distraction aspect of Te'o may muddle any improvement he could provide.

Manti Te'o Scouting Report

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