It seems obvious - but we do forget - as you point out, the GMs know a lot more than we do. And I like your explanation for determining if a team has interest in a guy, largely common knowledge to GMs by draft day. That would make it worth jumping up a few places to get a guy - if the GM knew the guy wouldn't fall far enough.We have a book on Gute. We look for high RAS guys with certain body constraints. Top 30 visits are likely genuine interest. There are 2 other elements with medical and personality that other GMs may see some tendencies.
Additionally, there is evidence of interest/amount of attention to a particular athlete during the combine. Who they interview and who all shows up at the pro days.
Factor in need and you might have a decent idea of who each team is probably interested in.
We are amateurs and yet we usually have a decent idea who the Packers are taking. If we knew how the draft was going to fall, most of us would have had the Cisse and DDS picks correct. And the NFL GMs know much more than we do.
Thanks Amish.