ESPN’s Adam Schefter Thinks It’s Newton Over Gabbert for Panthers

“A lot can change in the next five weeks, but I believe Carolina goes quarterback at No. 1. And today, based on what I’m hearing, I’m leaning Newton over Gabbert, the player I initially thought would go No. 1.”

Adam Schefter, typically one of–if not THE most–reliable sports reporters in the business, is “hearing” that the Carolina Panthers could be leaning towards Auburn QB Cam Newton over Missouri signal caller Blaine Gabbert as the first overall pick. That would go against my latest mock draft, but up until today, Newton has been a pretty consistent number one in my mock drafts.

Obviously, if Schefter were to make a mock draft today, his gut is telling him the pick will be Cam Newton, and apparently his sources are as well. Schefter also commented on the Vikings’ QB situation, and he doesn’t see them taking a QB in round one since Gabbert and Newton will be long gone by the time the 12th pick rolls around:

“You never know how the draft will fall, but my sense is that Minnesota would look elsewhere in round one, then come back to quarterback in round two or later.”

Some interesting tid-bits from Schefter here. If you generally trust Schefter–which you should–and are making a mock draft today or in the near future, be sure to take these things into acc0unt.