Panthers 2021 Draft: 5 best picks at No. 8 overall of all-time
5. Jordan Gross – OT
- Team – Carolina Panthers
Although Christian McCaffrey is the sexier pick here, three-time Pro Bowler Jordan Gross gets the nod on our list as of now.
For 11 seasons, the All-Pro from the University of Utah was key in establishing the Panthers’ run-first identity. Gross helped Carolina rank fifth in total rushing yards (22,138) from 2003-13.
He contributed early on, helping the franchise to reach the Super Bowl in his rookie season and the NFC championship game two years later. Gross would go on to start in 167 career games, the most starts of any player in franchise history and the fourth-most game played.
Gross was inducted into the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor in 2019.
4. Mike Munchak – OG
- Team – Houston Oilers
Penn State guard Mike Munchak was the first offensive lineman drafted in the 1982 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans).
Throughout his 12-year career, Munchak made nine Pro Bowls and was voted to the first-team All-Pro lineup twice while playing alongside fellow Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews throughout the majority of his career.
Munchak was voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-1980s Team and had a short stint as head coach of the Titans.