Fansided

Top 30 NFL players of the 21st century

By Jarrett Bailey

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
15 of 30
Next
CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 09: Julius Peppers #90 celebrates with teammate Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 09: Julius Peppers #90 celebrates with teammate Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

16. Julius Peppers

There have been a lot of great edge rushers since the turn of the century, but from 2002-18, Julius Peppers was the man. He kicked off his career with 12 sacks as a rookie, winning the 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

From 2004-06, he made three straight Pro Bowls and had at least 10 sacks in each season. In 2006, he had 13 sacks and led the NFL with 18 tackles for loss. He continued his success after a down year in 2007.

He totaled a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2008, and followed it up with 10.5 sacks in 2009. Peppers left for Chicago in 2010, where he was named First-Team All-Pro for the third time in his career. He had eight sacks, to go along with three forced fumbles, nine pass deflections, 11 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. He did everything for the Bears that season, and was their best defender on a loaded defensive unit.

Peppers returned to Carolina before his career was over, and had 11 sacks in 2017 with the team that drafted him. He retired following the 2018 season with 159.5 career sacks and 175 tackles for loss.

Home/NFL