INDIANAPOLIS — The Panthers don't know what direction they are heading at No. 1, but the Broncos are whittling down their list of candidates at No. 2.

Sources say the Broncos met with Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers, who is a candidate to go with the first pick, and his representatives Friday night at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Meetings with top prospects are frequent here, but the Broncos appear to be showing strong interest early in Bowers.

Bowers would fit John Fox's 4-3 defense. The team ran a 3-4 the past few seasons and has a few ill-fitting parts. Fox always has favored building from the line out, and Bowers would be a good early building block.

Another hallmark of Fox's teams is a strong run game, and the Broncos appear to be showing interest in veteran FB Mike Karney, formerly of the Rams, who would aid a strong running back (like Denver's Knowshon Moreno) as a key lead blocker.