17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers): Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State

Howard Balzer's Final 2010 NFL Mock Draft

The pieces are coming together for the 49ers, and a true complement for Frank Gore would be welcome. Gore is only 27, but he does miss games at times, and Mathews will help them win. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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First-Round Mock... ST. LOUIS -- The draft is around the corner. Pretty soon, mock drafts will be retired for 2010 after yet another record were posted since the end of the 2009 draft.
But, we love them. Every last one of them. Why? First, because the NFL Draft is clearly the single-most talked-about and hyped non-game event in all sports. Second, because we all believe we can pick just as good as any general manager in the league.
Which brings us to this final mock draft. Most mock drafts attempt to figure out what each team is thinking, what players they like, and then predict what each team will do.
This will be a little different. Well, a lot different. For this mock draft, I will be wearing the hat of each team as it selects. For this day, I am the general manager of each team. The choices won't be based on what I think each team will do. Rather, the choices will be the players I am saying each team SHOULD take.
Here we go:
Howard Balzer is a Senior NFL Writer for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange. He is also a member of the NFL Hall of Fame selection committee.
1. St. Louis Ram... This is what the Rams will likely do, and what they should do. When a team has a chance at a potentially elite quarterback and that team needs a quarterback, there isn't much of a decision to be made. Especially when your closest-rated other players are defensive tackles. Of course, the key for the Rams will be adroitly building a team around him. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
2. Detroit Lions... Sure, it's tempting to take one of the top defensive tackles. But those guys won't protect quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Lions took him first overall a year ago, and they have to put together a good team around him. One of the first steps is getting a potentially premier tackle. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
3. Tampa Bay Buc... The Bucs weren't expecting that they'd have a choice of either Ndamukong Suh or McCoy, but it certainly could happen. There could be pressure to take Suh because the anointment of him as the next-great defensive tackle began in the fall. But McCoy is a better fit for what the Bucs do on defense. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
4. Washington Re... Like Detroit, the Redskins have to build around their quarterback, and Donovan McNabb could be running for his life unless the team seriously upgrades the line. Williams is a start. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
5. Kansas City C... Keep building from the inside out is what the Chiefs have to do to establish a consistent quality offense. Landing Bulaga gives them potential excellence on the line. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
6. Seattle Seaha... The Seahawks will be bug-eyed when Suh falls here, so it won't take them long to get the card to the podium. It's no sin to be the sixth player selected in the draft, but to Suh it might seem that way. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
7. Cleveland Bro... The Browns will be tempted to grab cornerback Joe Haden, but they can't pass up Berry, who is versatile enough to play anywhere in the secondary. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
8. Oakland Raide... Some would say this is too high to take Wilson, but he deserves it just as much as any other player available. For the Raiders, it means getting a top corner opposite Nnamdi Asomugha who makes the defense immediately better. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
9. Buffalo Bills... The Bills need a tackle, but the best are off the board, so the move has to be for the versatility that Thomas can provide in the secondary. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
10. Jacksonville... The Jaguars need a pass rusher, and Spiller might be thought of as being a luxury. But, protection is essential for Maurice Jones-Drew, who will begin to wear down with his current workload. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
11. Denver Bronc... Might the Broncos consider WR Dez Bryant here? They might. But if I'm the GM, I don't. Is another headache like Brandon Marshall really the way to go? McClain will provide a presence on a defense and linebacker corps that needs it. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
12. Miami Dolphi... The Dolphins are seeking a playmaker in their 3-4 defense, and Kindle is a good fit. Even if they end up bringing back Jason Taylor, his years are numbered. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
13. San Francisc... The corners are rated very close together, so it's a no-brainer to grab Haden here and upgrade a solid secondary. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
14. Seattle Seah... As a GM, I'd be trading a bunch of these mid-round picks, but that assumes teams will want to move up. For whom? That's the question. The Seahawks need lots of help on the line, and Iupati is a guard that could also play tackle. Can Seattle have him play both at the same time?! (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
15. New York Gia... I would be moving up to try and get either McClain or Iupati. Unable to do that, the decision comes down to the best defensive end available. Derrick Morgan will be considered, but Graham has more going for him. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
16. Tennessee Ti... Might coach Jeff Fisher take a chance on the raw Jason Pierre-Paul? It's not out of the question, but if it's me, I might flip a coin. Put me on the spot here, and it's Morgan. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
17. San Francisc... The pieces are coming together for the 49ers, and a true complement for Frank Gore would be welcome. Gore is only 27, but he does miss games at times, and Mathews will help them win. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
18. Pittsburgh S... What I really need to find for my team are some positive headlines after a brutal offseason. Thomas could be a gem, and has shown he is almost fully recovered from a broken foot suffered in February. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
19. Atlanta Falc... I would be real nervous about this pick, but am banking on the coaches to bring him along and get the most out of him. It is a risky pick, but sometimes you have to take risks. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
20. Houston Texa... Virtually every mock will have the Texans taking a running back, but two of the better ones are gone, and there is concern with Jahvid Best's concussion history. Odrick is a quality player inside, and I'll take my chances with a runner in the next round. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
21. Cincinnati B... It would be just like Bengals president Mike Brown to add Dez Bryant to his Father Flanagan Boy's Town, but I'm not Mike Brown. That's why the pick is Gresham, who should immediately help the passing game. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
22. New England ... Jimmy Clausen might be tempting, but Tim Tebow could be added with one of three second-round choices. Hughes should add youth to the pass rush, and also could lead to an exit for Adalius Thomas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
23. Green Bay Pa... In the 3-4, Williams could have many roles, and he makes the defense better. Nose tackle Ryan Pickett will be 31 in December. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
24. Philadelphia... His main position is center, and incumbent Jamaal Jackson is coming off ACL surgery and will be 30 in May. The Eagles need to get the line right for QB Kevin Kolb. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
25. Baltimore Ra... I was tempted to leave him out of the first round entirely, but there is less monetary risk late in the first round, and we'll count on the team's veteran leadership keeping him in line. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
26. Arizona Card... One side is fine with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but youth is needed. Robinson can come in and contribute immediately while making the secondary better. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
27. Dallas Cowbo... The release of Flozell Adams creates a need, and while Davis isn't a finished product, he is a fine prospect. There's less risk with him than Bruce Campbell, who looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
28. San Diego Ch... The talent is obvious. The concern is concussions suffered last season. I'm nervous about this pick, but it's worth the shot. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
29. New York Jet... With this team, and this defense, we'll find a way to utilize his best qualities. Several of the offseason additions have been risks, so why not add another to the list? (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
30. Minnesota Vi... In 2005, Aaron Rodgers slipped to late in the first round and wound up behind Brett Favre in Green Bay. Will history repeat itself with a sliding Clausen also endeding up behind Favre? Don't be surprised. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)
31. Indianapolis... This is a steal, getting Price at this point in the first round. Some have questions, but the Colts will find a way to bring out his best. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
32. New Orleans ... His persona seems to fit the Saints, and the linebacking corps needs help following the departure of Scott Fujita. Coordinator Gregg Williams will find a way to utilize his abilities. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Great Debate Check out Ray Didinger's Top 5 Quarterbacks by Era.