It's hard to know what to believe in the days leading up to the 2013 NFL Draft. In several instances, I've been told one thing by a personnel man ... only to be told the exact opposite 20 minutes later by an executive from a different team.
Despite all of the misinformation out there, I do feel confident in a few areas. Here are 10 things I believe as we head toward Thursday night:
1) I believe Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel will be taken with one of the first three picks.
The Kansas City Chiefs are a near lock to draft an offensive tackle with the first overall selection. (I think Fisher has a great shot at being their choice.) And I also expect either the Jacksonville Jaguars or Oakland Raiders to select one, as well.
2) I believe the San Diego Chargers will have to trade up if they want to land OT Lane Johnson.
Once upon a time, the Chargers were in a great spot to nab the Oklahoma offensive tackle. However, with both Fisher and Joeckel expected to go early, I don't see how Johnson falls to pick No. 11.
3) I believe Sharrif Floyd could fall out of the top 10 if the Oakland Raiders pass on him at No. 3.
The teams picking fourth through ninth either don't fit Floyd scheme-wise or are set at the position. The Tennessee Titans (10th pick) would be his last hope to land in the top 10, barring a trade up by another team.
4) I believe Justin Hunter is going to be selected in the first round.
I'm not extremely high on this Tennessee wideout, but apparently several teams feel differently. He's created a lot of buzz over the past week; numerous teams have told me that he is a lock to go on Thursday night.
5) I believe Manti Te'o will hear his name called in Round 1, too.
There just aren't 32 better football players in this draft class who would push Te'o out of the first round. I believe the Baltimore Ravens would be elated if he fell to them at No. 32, but I don't see him dropping that far down the board.
6) I believe there's a greater than 50 percent chance that we don't have a running back selected in the first round.
Eddie Lacy needed to convince everyone at his pro day that he is worth a first-round selection, and he failed to do so. I don't see any other running back solidifying a spot in the top 32, either.
7) I believe the Miami Dolphins will draft a cornerback in the second round.
The Dolphins found Sean Smith in the second round back in 2009, and I think that is where they'll find his replacement in 2013. I'd look for Miami to land safety Kenny Vaccaro, tight end Tyler Eifert or offensive guard Chance Warmack with its top selection at No. 12 overall.
8) I believe we will have a surprise cornerback selected on Thursday night.
Look for someone like Robert Alford or Darius Slay to sneak into the back end of the first round. With several teams in need of CBs at the bottom of the round, we could see a run on the position.
9) I believe Jamar Taylor is one of the safest picks in this draft.
Taylor has passed every test. He was very good on tape, had a great week at the Senior Bowl and performed well at the NFL Scouting Combine. He should hear his name called either late in the first round or at the top of the second.
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10) I believe none of us has a clue as to when or where these quarterbacks are going to go.
I can't recall another year during which there was such uncertainty as to where the top signal-callers would land. I spoke with several team executives over the past 48 hours, and they were literally speechless when I asked them to match QB prospects with other teams. Nobody has a feel for this group.
Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.
