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.

Rutgers' Ray Rice, for example, is only 5-8, 200, but he is extremely muscular, strong and capable of gaining tough yards inside. He also catches the ball well and has good speed (4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash). He's been compared to former New York Giants standouts Tiki Barber and Joe Morris.

If the Panthers follow the expected path and take a tackle in the first round, Rice could be an ideal choice with their second-round pick (No. 43 overall).

Tackle first?

One reason to believe the Panthers will opt for a tackle in Round 1 is because the position lacks the depth found among running back prospects during later rounds.Five or six tackles could be first-round choices. The most likely candidates to become Panthers are Boise State's Ryan Clady, Pittsburgh's Jeffrey Otah, Virginia's Branden Albert and Boston College's Gosder Cherilus.

But the skill level for tackles drops substantially after the top group, so if the Panthers want one, they'll have to take him with their first pick or trade up.

"They're hard to find," said Hurney. "It might not be the sexiest pick, but it certainly is one that is extremely important to being successful on offense and winning as a football team."

Best of 2 worlds

Fort Mill's John Petrie e-mailed in this suggestion for how the Panthers should get their tackle and running back: Pick Stewart in the first round and trade up in the second for Southern Cal tackle Sam Baker. He's the sixth-rated tackle in the Observer's Top 100.

If the Panthers made a 10-pick climb to get Baker, they'd have to give up the 43rd pick and at least their fourth-rounder (109th overall).

A better tackle to target with their second choice would be Cherilus if he's available in the latter part of the first round. That kind of move up probably would require Carolina to give up No. 43 plus the second of its two third-round slots (No. 74).

QB's no big name

Look for the Panthers to choose a quarterback. San Diego's Josh Johnson is an intriguing prospect projected to go during the middle rounds. He played in the Pioneer League.

Johnson's statistics last year are hard to fathom for any level -- 43 touchdowns and one interception. He threw for 428 yards and six scores, with 102 yards rushing, in a 52-49 win against Davidson. For his career, he had a 30-4 record, passing for 9,699 yards, 113 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Johnson (6-3, 213) has unusual speed for a quarterback, topping everyone at the position in the 40 (4.55) at the combine. NFLDraftScout.com said he evokes memories of Vince Young and Michael Vick as collegians.

Johnson helped his stock tremendously by being named most valuable player of the East-West Shrine all-star game, where he faced mostly players from major colleges. It also helps his coach was former NFL quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said of Johnson: "He's going to play in this league. I'm convinced of that."

Panthers coach John Fox attended Johnson's pro-day workout last month. Perhaps he couldn't pass up a close-up look at Johnson.

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