The facts suggest the Carolina Panthers will look for help on defense at the top of April's NFL draft.

After injuries to several key starters, the team allowed franchise records in points, touchdowns, total yards and passing yards in 2011. That leads most analysts to predict Carolina's first pick, set to be either eighth or ninth, will be a cornerback or a defensive lineman.

But as the team's draft preparations begin in earnest with this week's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., general manager Marty Hurney said the Panthers are keeping an open mind.

"I think we have needs really in all phases," Hurney said. "The first pick is the same year to year. I think you have to pick an impact player there and you have to hit on the first-round pick."

Carolina did that last year at No. 1 overall with former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, whose rookie season was among the best in NFL history. He turned an offense that had been the NFL's worst in 2010 into a force.

Given where they were drafting, it became clear quickly last year the Panthers would take a quarterback, and they methodically narrowed the field before deciding Newton was the best player available.

Getting the best player available at the top of the 2012 draft is important for momentum, too.

"I think every year starting the draft off right and feeling good about the pick you have in the first round seems to make the draft go well after that," Hurney said. "The worst thing you want to do is feel iffy on the first selection you make in the draft. It seems like that feeling can carry over, and you don't want that to happen."

"I don't think you lock yourself in to offense or defense as far as that first pick goes, and really any pick," he added. "You have to go by your board. And we've done that and I think we've done well by doing that."

Hurney points to the 2007 draft when the Panthers took a center from Southern Cal named Ryan Kalil in the second round with the 59th pick - 14 spots after drafting Dwayne Jarrett, Kalil's teammate. Five years later, Jarrett is out of the league and Kalil is headed to his third consecutive Pro Bowl.

"We never expected to take a center at the bottom of the second round, but Ryan Kalil was sitting there and was just too good to pass up," Hurney said. "And we got a Pro Bowl center by doing that."

Panthers coach Ron Rivera and his staff will continue the search for talent at the Senior Bowl this week, through the NFL combine in February and individual workouts leading up to the draft.

Rivera went to Mobile for two days last year while still assembling his staff. This year he and his assistants will spend four days scouting the nation's top seniors.

"We'll be able to spread out and pay really good attention to these guys," Rivera said.

There will be several players in Mobile whom the Panthers could consider for their first-round pick, including a pair of defensive ends from the Carolinas - North Carolina's Quinton Coples and South Carolina's Melvin Ingram.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes Coples, who rebounded from a slow start to finish his senior season strong, could be an option for the Panthers if he's available when they pick.

"I have him going just a shade earlier to Jacksonville at 7. But what if he was there? Sure, he'd be in the mix," Kiper said. "I didn't see another defensive end (for the Panthers), unless you take Melvin Ingram from South Carolina. That may be a little early for him. Just a hair early. You could take Ingram. You might get lucky and see Coples there."

But considering coaches and scouts will be getting their first in-person look at many of these players this week, Hurney said it will be a while before the Panthers lock in on a player.

"It's a long process. This is just the start," he said. "By the time you get to the draft, the Senior Bowl seems like it was a year ago. ...

"It's exciting, but there's a long way to go."