Panthers seem to have options for early picks

[Fire Wade]

Size might not be as much of a priority as you'd think if, as expected, the Carolina Panthers go hunting for a power running back in the NFL draft.

"We use the phrase a lot of `playing big, running big,' " said general manager Marty Hurney. "There are a lot of guys who are 200 pounds (or) 205 pounds who run like 220-pound backs. (And) you can reverse that. Just because a guy has good size doesn't make him your `big back.'

"When you say `big back,' it's more of a running style."

Two backs projected to go among the top 20 picks fit the bill -- Oregon's Jonathan Stewart (5-foot-10, 235 pounds) and Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall (5-10, 225).

At least one should be available when the Panthers first-round selection (13th) arrives.

It might be the sixth or seventh round before another running back near their size and strength -- likely Richmond's Tim Hightower (5-11 1/2, 233) -- comes off the board.

That doesn't mean the Panthers must land Stewart or Mendenhall to get the type of impact back they want to pair with DeAngelo Williams.

http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/588694.html