No major progress Wednesday on talks between the Carolina Panthers and unsigned first-round draft picks Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah, according to general manager Marty Hurney.
"We're just going to keep working," Hurney said.
However, here's something that may spur on negotiations with Stewart's agent.
Offenisve tackle Chris Williams, who was selected one spot behind Stewart at No. 14, signed with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday. That gives both sides some parameters to work with. According to the NFL Network, Williams will get a five-year, $16 million contract that includes $10 million in guarantees. Stewart, the 13th overall pick, should make slightly more than that.
No one around Otah, the 19th pick, has really signed except for quarterback Joe Flacco (Baltimore).
MINOR MOVE: The Panthers claimed foffensive tackle Charles Spencer, a former third-round pick, from Houston Texans on Wednesday. The 6-foot-4, 337-pound tackle from Pitt (the same school as Jeff Otah) injured his knee and hasn't played since early in 2006 season.
To make room, the team cut offensive tackle Rueben Riley, a player they had on the practice squad last year.
Spencer is certainly worth a look.
"He was a good player that we liked coming out of Pitt, but he's had some injury problems," Hurney said.