CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Here is a closer look at the positions the Carolina Panthers could target at the NFL combine in Indianapolis:

Positions of need: The easy choice here is wide receiver. The Panthers traded No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin to Buffalo last season and promoted Devin Funchess into that role. Funchess, who was dealing with a shoulder injury late in the season, never proved worthy of the promotion. The No. 2 receiver spot also was in flux, with second-round pick Curtis Samuel and speedster Damiere Byrd missing most of the season with injuries. The receivers were so depleted that they became known as the "misfits." As such, the biggest need is a true No. 1 receiver. Defensive end, even with 38-year-old Julius Peppers leaning toward one more season, also is a big need. Peppers and Mario Addison are in their 30s, and the team released Charles Johnson. Carolina needs to develop a young end to take over at least one spot.

Targets:

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama -- Odds are strong that he won’t fall all the way to No. 24, but the Panthers have to take a hard look here in case they decide to move up. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he isn't a speedster who will blow the top off of defenses, but his route running, ability to create separation and explosiveness after the catch would make him a great fit as a true No. 1 receiver.

Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M -- He has been tabbed by several draft analysts as a good fit at Carolina. He has shown to be elite in taking short passes and turning them into big plays. He is also a dynamic kick returner. But at 5-foot-11, he isn't that much different from Curtis Samuel, who is coming off foot surgery. You take him only if you’re worried about Samuel being ready for the start of training camp.

Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU -- At 6-foot-4, he’s the best big receiver in the draft. The question for Carolina is whether Sutton is too much like Devin Funchess (6-foot-4) in terms of size and speed. If you’re not convinced that Funchess can be the No. 1 receiver, then Sutton would be a good choice. The biggest question on him at the combine will be his speed and whether he has enough to create separation deep. Remember: General manager Marty Hurney isn’t stuck on taking big receivers like Dave Gettleman was.

Harold Landry, DE, Boston College -- The top end, Bradley Chubb of N.C. State, is slated to be a top-five pick. Landry is a bit undersized at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, but he has that burst of speed off the edge that Carolina’s Mario Addison, also undersized, has used to collect 20.5 sacks the past two seasons. He might be best-suited for a 3-4 scheme -- Carolina runs a 4-3 -- in which he could play outside linebacker.

Arden Key, DE, LSU -- He has the size (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) and pass-rush ability to be a top-10 pick. He could be the best all-around pass-rusher in the draft. He also has off-the-field concerns ranging from health (knee, shoulder) to weight to the decision to leave school for "personal reasons." The interview process at the combine will be as important as anything for Key.