Ranking the 8 most influential Carolina Panthers in franchise history

Julius Peppers – Former Carolina Panthers DE

There are very few defensive ends throughout NFL history that dominated in the manner Julius Peppers managed to accomplish right out of the gate. The Carolina Panthers landed the home-state hero at No. 2 overall in the 2002 draft, a move that completely transformed the team’s fortunes as a result.

Peppers’ unique blend of size, length, and explosiveness made him an almost unstoppable force. He was nothing short of a revelation en route to five Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro nods over his first eight years with the franchise before the North Carolina product shockingly left to sign for the Chicago Bears.

It’s hard to gauge how things might have been different during Carolina’s glory years in the mid-2010s had Peppers been part of the roster. Even though he finished his career with the organization, his presence could have made all the difference in the pursuit of an elusive first Super Bowl triumph.

With that being said, Peppers will go down as one of Carolina’s greatest-ever players. He is a sure-fire Pro Football Hall of Famer and if there was any justice, it will be on the first ballot.

Had Peppers not left for eight seasons before making his triumphant return, he would be much higher on this list. A regrettable situation where money conquered all.