This week we’re evaluating the best and worst top 10 picks in a 10-year span from 1999-2008. We capped this at 2008 because it’s unfair to judge first- or second-year players. Today, the pick two success.
NFL Draft successes and busts 10-year evaluation: 2nd overall success
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Pick: Three overall
The player: Julius Peppers | Defensive end | Carolina Panthers (2002)
At the NFL Scouting Combine this year, just about every prospect was asked to whom they compared. For most defensive ends, it was Julius Peppers.
It’s an ode to not only Peppers’ legacy, but how good of a player he still is. Peppers’ career may be on the downturn, but he showed in Chicago he’s not only a pass rusher, but a power run-stopping end.
In the 2002 draft, Peppers was widely considered the best overall player. For some time, there weren’t defensive ends built like him – tall, but athletic and powerful. Peppers is a rare player.
For his career, Peppers has 89 sacks and 435 total tackles. If he can remain productive another two or three years, he should easily top 100 career sacks.
His play earned Peppers a spot on the All-Decade Team for the 2000s, six Pro Bowl bids and five All-Pro appearances.
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