CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- For weeks, it has appeared the Carolina Panthers would draft an offensive tackle, defensive lineman or perhaps even a running back with their first-round pick, the 13th overall selection.

But with 10 days left before the NFL draft, it has become clear the Panthers also are enticed by the possibility of landing a player who would dramatically alter the direction of the franchise -- Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan.

Carolina general manager Marty Hurney acknowledged the team's admiration for Ryan on Tuesday, gushing at times in describing the draft's top-rated quarterback.

Hurney's scouting report: "All the intangibles. Great kid. Very good leader. Is the type of guy who takes his linemen and his teammates out to dinner, but then can also get on them if things aren't going right during the game.

"His arm is plenty strong enough. Has been very successful wherever he's played, (has) not only had good individual production, but was really a big reason for the success of his team."

Ryan (6-foot-5, 228 pounds) led the ACC and ranked 10th nationally in total offense last season despite the fact the Eagles lacked a top-flight receiver. He passed for 4,507 yards, 31 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in leading BC to an 11-3 record.

If the Panthers land Ryan, either by trading up or getting him with the 13th pick, he'd instantly become the heir apparent to Jake Delhomme, 33, who missed 13 games last season with an elbow injury.

So what if Ryan is available at No. 13?

"I think the chances of him getting there are very low," Hurney said. "But you always have to plan for every scenario. Obviously, when a talented player is there, it's an option."

The Panthers are said to be so high on Ryan that he'd be their choice if they had the No. 1 pick.

"You could ask 32 teams that question, and I don't know that any of the 32 could answer (it) with 100 percent assurance until they're in that position," Hurney said.

"That's something you'd have to work through. Obviously, every team out there would say Matt Ryan is a top player."

There was speculation that the team with the first selection, Miami, would take Ryan. But the Dolphins are negotiating with Michigan tackle Jake Long.

Other teams drafting in the top 10 that need quarterback help and are believed to be considering Ryan are Atlanta (picking third), Kansas City (fifth) and Baltimore (eighth).

However, the Falcons likely would opt for Louisiana State defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey if he's available. And the Chiefs have such a dire need for offensive linemen -- in a strong year for tackles -- that they might wait on a quarterback until later in the draft.

If Ryan gets past those teams, it's unlikely he would fall past the Ravens at No. 8. Baltimore has an aging starter (Steve McNair) and a former first-rounder who's been underwhelming (Kyle Boller).

But the Panthers might never let Ryan drop to Baltimore if the Chiefs pass. One scenario Carolina is believed to be considering is making a bold trade up the draft ladder, perhaps to New England's No. 7 spot.

The Patriots are highly interested in trading down, according to reports.

It wouldn't be cheap for the Panthers to climb from No. 13 to No. 7. Based on trade value charts, they would have to give up one of their two third-round picks or possibly even their second-rounder (No. 43 overall).

Hurney declined to speculate on the likelihood of making a push for Ryan, or another quarterback in later rounds.

"You just wait and see," he said. "Everything's open."

No matter what happens, Hurney emphasized that the Panthers are pleased with Delhomme's recovery from elbow surgery and remain high on backups Matt Moore (2-1 as a starter last season as an undrafted rookie) and Brett Basanez.

"Everybody in this building is extremely confident with the quarterbacks we have on our roster," Hurney said.

But if the opportunity arises to pick someone team officials believe is destined to become an elite NFL quarterback, it might be too good to pass up.

5 things you might not have known about Matt Ryan:

1. He was captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams at William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia.

2. His nickname is "Matty Ice."

3. Ryan reportedly scored a 32 on the Wonderlic exam, tying Louisville's Brian Brohm for the highest score by a quarterback this year.

4. His uncle, John Loughery, played quarterback at Boston College from 1979 to '82.

5. With 388 completions in 2007, Ryan joined Philip Rivers of N.C. State (348 in 2003) and Ben Bennett of Duke (300 in 1983) as the only quarterbacks in ACC history to complete 300 passes in a season.

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