Carolina Panthers: 30 greatest players in franchise history

Julius Peppers set the standard for what became today’s monstrous, athletic, destructive pass-rushing defensive ends. Armed with a big, powerful frame and enough speed to outrun most tight ends, it’s no surprise the North Carolina product went to the Panthers at No. 2 overall.

Since joining his hometown team back in 2002, Peppers has been one of the most feared pass rushers throughout the NFL. Even at 38 years of age, he’s still terrorizing quarterbacks and making offensive tackles’ lives miserable. Just ask the 11 sacks he tallied a season ago in his first year back with the Panthers.

What really earned him this position on the list, though, is what he accomplished during his first stay in Charlotte. Peppers spent his first eight seasons in the NFL with the Panthers, racking up an amazing 81 sacks during that stretch. Eventually he went on to spend a few years with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, but did most of his damage with his original team.

Now, he’s nearly locked into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with 154 career sacks (and counting). The best part though, is that he returned to his old stomping grounds to finish his NFL career with a bang.