Carolina in line for Auburn's Fairley

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Auburn defensive lineman Nick Fairley is on the Carolina Panthers radar since he declared he would skip his senior year and enter the NFL draft.

The Panthers have the No. 1 selection in this year's draft and have a new head coach, Ron Rivera, who was a defensive coordinator with the San Diego Chargers.

There was no immediate comment from Rivera or the Panthers organization following Fairley's announcement, but draft prognosticators have opined Fairley has the credentials to be the top overall draftee.

Carolina's defense was 18th in yards allowed this season and struggled with a high level of turnover in the lineup. At the same time, however, the Panthers' needs on offense might lead them to commit their top pick to an impact offensive player.

Fairley won the Lombardi Trophy as college football's top defensive lineman and MVP of the BCS Championship Game. He set an Auburn record with 11 1/2 sacks.