It has often been said that you shouldn't believe anything you hear from NFL coaches, GMs and scouts in the six weeks leading up to the draft.  With that in mind, Ron Rivera said over the weekend that Ryan Mallett is still in the mix for the Carolina Panthers with the first overall pick according to The Charlotte Observer:

Echoing what he said at the NFL combine last month, Rivera mentioned the Panthers have zeroed in on about eight prospects. He said three of those targets are quarterbacks - Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Mallett - but not all.

I think I speak for the fans of the other 31 teams in the NFL when I say, Ron, please, please, please take Mallett with the #1 overall pick. That means that our team can't pick him, because he is going to be a bust, and that leaves an elite player on the board a little bit longer.

You can expect a lot of this nonsense between now and the draft.