Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus will visit the Bills this week, in addition to six other teams, according to a source. Dareus has meetings scheduled with seven teams picking in the Top 10, including the Broncos, who have the second overall pick. The Browns, 49ers, Panthers, Redskins and Titans will also sit down with the defensive tackle.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera doesn't understand the assertion that you can't draft a cornerback first overall. Many believe LSU defensive back Patrick Patterson is the best player available in next month's NFL Draft. "Why can't you take a corner first?" Rivera said. "A shutdown corner, or a very, very good corner who can harass the receivers, throw off their timing is important as it is because it’s turning into a passing league. How is he going to impact your defense? Can it also help the offense? There are a few really good ones out there. Does he help our pass rush? Does he help get the ball back and get our offense back on the field?"

The Panthers were awarded three compensatory picks Friday for April's draft after losing Julius Peppers to free agency before last season. A total of 23 teams were allotted selections, beginning with a third-rounder (97th overall) to Carolina, which also has the top overall choice after going 2-14 in 2010. Peppers had an All-Pro season with Chicago, and Carolina also lost quarterback A.J. Feeley to St. Louis.

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett is scheduled to visit the Panthers next month, according to a league source. Carolina holds the top pick in April's NFL Draft. Mallet is also scheduled to meet with the Dolphins, Bengals, Seahawks, Vikings, Titans and 49ers between now and the draft.

The Panthers claim they haven't finished evaluating prospects, but with the NFL Draft just weeks away the Charlotte Observer surveyed the landscape. Carolina is expected to bring in quarterbacks Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Mallett in the next week or so. The Observer believes that currently, the Panthers are leaning towards taking Gabbert with the first overall pick. "Maybe it was a case - like figure skating judges - of saving the best marks (or remarks, in this case) for last," wrote Joseph Person. "But [Ron] Rivera seemed to rave about Gabbert, whom team officials worked out and met with last weekend in Missouri before Rivera attended the owners meetings. "Rivera mentioned Gabbert's size, arm, touch and footwork, but said he was most impressed with Gabbert's "presence." When coaches start talking like that, it usually means they like the whole package."

Coming off a 2-14 season, the Panthers say they are more than halfway done evaluating their options with the first overall pick. "We're going through the whole process and we still have about eight guys at various positions we're looking at," coach Ron Rivera said. "We're 60 percent of the way along." Carolina's most glaring needs are at quarterback, receiver, tight end, both lines and in the secondary.

The NFLPA is putting into place a plan that would prevent top college prospects from attending next month's draft in New York, according to multiple sources. The union has already contacted 17 top prospects that ordinarily would have received an invitation to attend the draft and informed them not to go. Thus, when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the name of the first player selected, the player will not walk on to the stage at Radio City Music Hall. According to a source, the plan is "100 percent happening."

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson wants to keep things as normal as possible in the organization despite the NFL's labor unrest. No layoffs or furloughs are planned at the moment, and there's a sense of optimism that things may remain normal until the fall. A number of teams, including the Jets, have already instituted furlough plans. "He wants us to know he's serious about taking care of us, and that's something he takes pride in," one Panthers staffer said of Richardson. "No one wants to take that for granted, but for now, he's telling us we're OK."

The Panthers dined with quarterback prospect Cam Newton this week, according to NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi. It was reported earlier Wednesday that the Bills sat down with Newton on the eve of his pro-day workout Tuesday at Auburn. Carolina owns the No. 1 overall pick, while Buffalo will select third.

The one-year, $3 million deal that tight end Jeremy Shockey reached with the Panthers last week includes $1 million in guaranteed money. The deal also includes a $812,500 roster bonus and no signing bonus.