Carolina Panthers: 5 best draft picks of all-time

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NEW YORK – APRIL 20: Julius Peppers of North Carolina stands with NFL Commisioner Paul Tagliabue after being 2nd pick selected in the NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers at the Theatre in Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on April 20, 2002.. Digital Image. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

3. Julius Peppers, Defensive End (Round 1, Pick 2, 2002)

Picture this, if you will: the Carolina Panthers had the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft with the Houston Texans occupying the top spot as an expansion franchise. After Houston took quarterback David Carr, there were many people around the league that would’ve taken quarterback Joey Harrington out of Oregon — even though the Panthers had taken Chris Weinke in Round 4 of the previous draft. Instead, Carolina took a defensive end out of North Carolina by the name of Julius Peppers.

It’s safe to say they made the right call.

Peppers was undoubtedly one of the most dominant pass-rushers in the NFL for the Panthers over the course of his time there from 2002-09. He finished with fewer than 10 sacks in just two of his seasons with Carolina and with fewer than seven sacks in just one of his eight seasons with the franchise. Though he ultimately signed with the Bears before the 2010 season, the Panthers defensive end had made an indelible mark on the franchise.

Selecting Peppers would’ve been a great pick for the Panthers in any circumstances. He was just that good. But when you consider the alternative was Harrington, a quarterback that did little-to-nothing in the NFL, the Peppers pick looks even better.

Next: No. 2 Cam Newton

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