WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest's Kevin Johnson doesn't think he's simply one of the top three to five cornerbacks entered in the NFL draft.

"I think I'm the best cornerback," Johnson said on Monday during his pro day at Wake Forest.

If the Carolina Panthers use the 25th pick on a cornerback, Johnson could be their guy.

At 6-foot-1 and 185-pounds, Johnson could fill the role of shutdown corner opposite Josh Norman so that 2014 draft pick Bene' Benwikere could move back to nickelback.

While offensive tackle and a speed wide receiver to play opposite Kelvin Benjamin are Carolina's top needs, a potential shutdown corner isn't far behind.

Michigan State's Trae Waynes is considered to be the consensus top cornerback prospect, and he reinforced that recently at the NFL combine by posting a time of 4.31 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Washington's Marcus Peters isn't far behind in pure talent, but he has baggage after being released from the team this past season.

Johnson didn't show elite speed at the combine, running a 4.52 40. But he felt good enough about that time that he didn't run the 40 on Monday.

He feels good enough about his overall talent that he believes he can be a shutdown corner in the NFL just as he was at Wake Forest. So does Wake coach Dave Clawson, reminding that's what Johnson did against top programs such as Florida State in 2014.

In explaining why Johnson had only one interception this past season after posting three in each of the two previous seasons, Clawson said opponents often threw away from Johnson.

"He's a tall corner that can run," Clawson said. "And he has the loosest, quickest hips of anybody I've ever seen."

The Pittsburgh Steelers, who hold the 22nd pick, obviously like Johnson. Of the 23 teams that sent representatives to North Carolina, they led the way with four.

The Panthers met informally with Johnson at the combine and haven't set up an official visit to Charlotte, about 90 minutes from Winston-Salem. They only sent scout Robert Haines for Monday's workout, but they saw him run only a week ago.

Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman insists he'll take the best player available. Much of what position the Panthers will consider depends on what happens in free agency, which begins next week.

Johnson has no doubt he'll make some team happy.

"To be out on an island [as cornerbacks are] you have to be confident," he said.