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Panthers mailbag: What will Panthers do with first pick?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Part II of the Carolina Panthers weekend mailbag is focused on the NFL draft.

The first round is on Thursday, so your next draft questions will be about how the Panthers did.

Let’s get to it.

@DNewtonESPN: I've got a gut feeling a wide receiver or running back could be the way Carolina goes in the first round if the right player falls there. Specifically on wide receivers, they've brought in a ton for visits in their search for an elite No. 2 opposite last year's first-round pick, Kelvin Benjamin. Of those that could be available at No. 25, I'm looking at Central Florida's Breshard Perriman, Miami's Phillip Dorsett, Ohio State's Devin Smith and Southern Cal's Nelson Agholor. Dorsett and Smith keep ringing in my head. @DNewtonESPN: I seriously doubt it. Too many red flags after being kicked out of Missouri for several failed drug tests and the alleged domestic violence. The Panthers want character as well as athletic ability, particularly in a first-round draft pick. @DNewtonESPN: General manager Dave Gettleman isn't big on giving up high draft picks. He believes that if there is a player on the board worth taking when you select him without taking chances lower down. Would Alabama safety Landon Collins and UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks be great additions? Yes. But at what cost? I just can't see that happening. No guarantees you'd get both. @DNewtonESPN: Because he's one of the best pass rushers in the draft. If he falls to 25 because of the failed drug test at the combine there has to be consideration. They have done their due diligence because that's what you do with any player, but particularly a player with red flags. The Panthers have shown tolerance for players that failed a drug test, most recently defensive end Frank Alexander. He flunked two and missed 12 games last year. I still think they will pass if Gregory is there, but Gettleman doesn't like to pass on great pass rushers. @DNewtonESPN: If you missed it, outside linebacker Thomas Davis will become the first active player to announce a first-round selection when the Panthers pick at 25. It is significant in that Davis is the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. The league and the Panthers want to show what should be a standard for players in terms of character on and off the field. @DNewtonESPN: None if he wants another contract. @DNewtonESPN: The decision to sign cornerback Charles Tillman was all about putting the Panthers in position of not HAVING to reach for a cornerback early in the draft. Yes, it is a short-term solution. And there are no guarantees he'll stay healthy at 34. But if he plays close to what the Panthers believe he can, this defense just got better. I still look for Carolina to draft a corner in the first four rounds, by the way.