The NFL Draft is taking place in Nashville this week, with Round 1 kicking off the festivities on Thursday night.

As always, dozens of SEC players will hear their names called in the 3-day event, including plenty in the first round.

Here are 10 bold predictions for what will happen in Nashville:

1. The SEC sets a first-round record

The record for most first-round picks from a single conference is 12, set by the SEC in 2017 and 2013 and the ACC in 2006. This Thursday night, the SEC has a great chance of breaking that record.

In most mock drafts, there are at least 12 SEC players projected to go in Round 1. Some have up to 16 SEC athletes listed. I think they’ll get the job done and hit at least 13 first-rounders in Nashville.

2. The SEC breaks its record for most top-10 picks

This year, there could be as many as six top-10 picks from the SEC. By my count, Alabama’s Jonah and Quinnen Williams, Florida’s Jawaan Taylor, LSU’s Devin White, Kentucky’s Josh Allen, Mizzou’s Drew Lock and Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat could be among the first picks Thursday.

That would break the conference’s modern-era record of 5 top-10 picks:

It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out, but I think the conference gets at least five this year.

3. Drew Lock is drafted before Kyler Murray

If the Arizona Cardinals pass on the Heisman Trophy winner at No. 1, Murray could experience a drop in the first round. I don’t think he’ll fall completely out of Round 1, but he could fall out of the top 10.

Lock, meanwhile, probably won’t get past the Denver Broncos at No. 10 if he’s still available.

4. Alabama will only tie for the most first-round picks in the SEC

The Crimson Tide have dominated Round 1 in recent years, with 4 guys going on Day 1 of the 2018 draft. This year, though, things will be different.

I think 3 Alabama players will go in the first round — DL Quinnen Williams, OL Jonah Williams and RB Josh Jacobs. But, I also think 3 Ole Miss players (WRs D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown and OL Greg Little) could go. Keep an eye on Mississippi State, too, as edge rusher Montez Sweat, DL Jeffery Simmons and S Johnathan Abram all have first-round talent.

5. Jeffery Simmons will still be a first-round pick

Even with his torn ACL, Simmons is an elite talent. He’s no longer a top-12 pick like he was projected to be before the injury, but he could go in the mid-20s.

If he’s still on the board when the New England Patriots are on the clock to wrap up Round 1, expect Bill Belichick to happily scoop up the ex-Bulldog.

6. Irv Smith Jr. will go to the Patriots

After winning the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots will have the No. 32 overall pick. Since star TE Rob Gronkowski retired this offseason, I think Bill Belichick will snag Smith to close out Thursday’s opening round. (That’s assuming Simmons is gone.) He was at Alabama’s pro day and got a good look at the talented tight end. Smith then could become the 4th Alabama player taken in the first round.

7. Montez Sweat will still be a top-10 pick

I think Sweat will go to the Detroit Lions at No. 8. Yes, he’s had a much-discussed heart issue surface, but he says it’s no problem and all it takes is for one team to agree with him (and his doctors). The Lions will find it hard to pass on such a supreme talent at No. 8 overall.

8. A.J. Brown will be selected ahead of D.K. Metcalf

Metcalf dominated the NFL Combine, but teams have since cooled off on the workout wonder. I still think he’s a great player and is going to have a long and successful NFL career, but his teammate will hear his name called first. I could see Brown going No. 20 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I think it’ll take Metcalf a little longer to be picked.

9. The SEC will have as many second-round picks as first-rounders

I’m on the record above saying I think the SEC will have at least 13 first-round picks this year, setting a record. The conference could produce that many second-round picks as well. The will be a couple of potential first-round guys who fall to Round 2, and from there, several more SEC stars will hear their names called on Day 2 of the draft.

10. Quinnen Williams will be the No. 1 overall pick

The Arizona Cardinals are on the clock, and no one knows for sure whether they’ll take Kyler Murray. If they don’t, they could go for Nick Bosa or Josh Allen, but I think Williams is the best player in the class. It would be very interesting to see him go No. 1 overall, and I think the Cardinals will get the draft started with a bang.