CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers will select a wide receiver in the upcoming NFL draft. This you can all but bank on.

Whether it will be with the No. 24 overall pick or in the next three rounds is the question. But this week furthers the argument that general manager Marty Hurney isn't done retooling a position that was a major weakness last season.

He brought in three receivers -- Alabama's Calvin Ridley, Maryland's D.J. Moore and Memphis' Anthony Miller -- for official visits this week. Christian Kirk of Texas A&M also has a visit scheduled, and wide receivers coach Lance Taylor reportedly flew to Penn State to meet with DaeSean Hamilton.

Others have surely gotten a look as well between the Senior Bowl, NFL combine and visits.

Those mentioned above range from a potential top 15-pick in Ridley to Hamilton, who could go anywhere from the third to fifth round. But it's clear the Panthers want to add talent around Devin Funchess, free-agent acquisitions Torrey Smith and Jarius Wright, Curtis Samuel and Damiere Byrd.

It's clear they want to add more speed to stretch defenses in way they couldn't a year ago.

Whether they begin in the first round depends largely on how the board falls. If the right defensive end, safety, corner, center-guard or even tight end is available they could take a receiver later on. But they clearly plan to take a receiver.

Here's a look at the five players they've already shown interest in and how they would be a good fit:

Calvin Ridley, Alabama: Clearly the class of this position. At 6-foot and 189 pounds he offers elite speed (4.43 40-yard dash at the combine) and the ability to create separation like no other receiver in this draft. He can run the entire route tree and has experience in a pro-style attack. He potentially could step right into the No. 1 receiver role and push Funchess to No. 2. Odds are he won't fall to No. 24, so the Panthers would have to be either lucky or trade up to get him.

Christian Kirk, Texas A&M: Bigger and stronger than Ridley at 6-2, 201 but doesn't have quite the burst of speed of the Alabama receiver. So he won't impact games down the field as much as the Panthers are seeking. But he's solid in every other way and could be a big target in the slot. He's a lot like Funchess, so that could work against him if the Panthers are seeking more diversity. He possibly could slip to the second round.

D.J. Moore, Maryland: He would be a solid choice if the Panthers want a player who can add elite speed to this position without necessarily having to use a first-round pick. He still could sneak into the first round. Some have argued he's the best receiver available. He's built solidly (6-0, 210) and like Ridley excels at creating separation. Get him the ball in open field and he'll make something happen.

Anthony Miller, Memphis: He may have the best hands in the draft, and he plays with a lot of intensity and heart that makes up for his lack of size (5-11). He's recovering from a Jones fracture in his right foot that kept him from playing in the Senior Bowl and doing on-field work at the combine. He did run at the Memphis pro day, reportedly clocked in the 40 at 4.46 to 4.52 seconds. He plays with a chip on his shoulder like a receiver Panthers fans got to know in Steve Smith, the team's all-time leader in catches and yards.

DaeSean Hamilton, Penn State: Could be a good-size target (6-0) in the slot with crisp, sharp route-running ability. More quick than super fast. Impressive stat here: Almost 80 percent of his catches this past season were for a first down. So he's a playmaker. His stock has risen lately to make him a likely second-day draft pick instead of third.