NFL Mock Draft 2013: Keenan Allen a popular pick for Texans

The Houston Texans have finally made the leap from pretty good to elite, and many expect they'll remain playoff contenders for some time. As such, they'll likely be picking near the end of the first round exclusively, so they'll need to really get a hold on maximizing value with late picks.

Houston holds the No. 27 pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but they don't have a ton of holes. One significant need is at the wide receiver position, as the team would like to take some of the load off Andre Johnson's shoulders.

Don Banks of SI.com released his latest mock draft on Wednesday, and he has the Texans addressing that need in the first round by taking Cal wide receiver Keenan Allen:

Allen didn't run too well (in the 4.7s) at his Pro Day this week, but speed has never been his game. He has good hands and the ability to come down with the ball in traffic, and his recovery from a PCL knee re-injury is not yet complete. For what the Texans receiving game still lacks, Allen is the answer. With or without spiffy 40 times.

The latest mock draft from Matthew Fairburn of SB Nation has the Texans doing the same thing, selecting Allen at No. 27. It's been a popular pick thus far, and that's simply because the move makes sense. SB Nation's mock was a three-rounder, where the Texans also nabbed Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib in Round 2, Florida inside linebacker Jon Bostic in Round 3 and Cincinnati tight end Travis Kelce with their other pick in the third round.

More from SB Nation:

• NFL mock draft: Predicting 3 full rounds

• Seahawks sign a QB who's the opposite of Russell Wilson

• Ravens signing Rolando McClain

• Jets to work out Geno Smith | Will release Tebow

• Sneak peek at the Chargers' new offense

• The next step for Mankind: Mick Foley's evolution