When Todd Gurley announced last month that he had a pre-draft visit with the Panthers, the idea was intriguing. Not many thought Carolina would be in the market for a running back, at least not where they’d be willing to spend a first-round pick on one. But it made sense on multiple levels.Even though the Panthers have bigger needs, and they’re starting to dig out of previously committing too much at running back, it’s fair to wonder about Jonathan Stewart. He reinvigorated his career last year, but injury concerns will always linger. If something happened to him, it’d leave the group with Mike Tolbert, Fozzy Whittaker and Jordan Todman. Plus, Gurley has been described as a “once-in-a-generation” talent who is “the best prospect, at any position, in the draft.”So if the Panthers were doing their due diligence on him, they’d likely look into the draft’s other potential first-round back as well, right? The news shared Tuesday by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport won’t make headlines like Gurley’s visit, but that Carolina worked out Melvin Gordon is worth noticing. He doesn’t have the same aura as Gurley, but it may be time to start giving Gordon more attention as a potential Panthers’ pick.As a junior last season at Wisconsin, he put up videogame-like stats: 2,587 yards, 32 touchdowns, 7.5 yards per carry, six games of 200 rushing yards or more, 408!!! yards against Nebraska. But while others have produced big numbers in Wisconsin’s run-heavy offense, the last somewhat successful Badger back in the pros was Ron Dayne.And when comparing Gordon and Gurley’s measureables, there’s a noticeable difference in weight. Gordon, who’s 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, is more than 10 pounds lighter. If one’s going to be a workhorse, it’s more likely to be the guy weighing in at 230 with a more powerful running style.Yet Gordon is currently staging a campaign for himself. “Obviously, Todd is a great player. But I’m not 230 (pounds). We’re both fast. He’s a bigger back. I feel like that shouldn’t take away. He’s considered the special back and the rest of the class, especially me, we’re just another group of guys. I don’t find that fair because I feel like I’m a special back. I feel like I can do it all,” Gordon recently said, via U-T San Diego.”I’m a playmaker. I can run the ball up the middle. I can run it outside. I can run the ball from the gun. I can do it all. I can catch the ball and make some plays; I’ve done it. … I think guys just automatically assume because I’m not 230 and I’m not straight bulldozing guys over that I’m not a strong runner, which is false. … I’m a special back, and I know I am.”Besides questions about his power, there are some concerns about Gordon’s ability as a receiver and in pass protection. But it’s not like the guy stinks. It doesn’t matter what system you’re in — if teams are lining up 10 in the box to stop you, and you still nearly break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record, you’re doing something right. While most consider Gurley to have a higher ceiling, there is a major factor in Gordon’s favor. He’s had a mostly clean injury history. Gurley is five months removed from a torn ACL.Gurley could very well back up the hype that surrounds him. And if he’s still around when the Panthers are on the board at No. 25, general manager Dave Gettleman may immediately turn in his draft card with Gurley’s name on it. But if running back 1A is gone, don’t be shocked if 1B — Gordon — is the guy Carolina calls.