Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Carolina Panthers history using career Weighted Approximate Value (wAV), a metric developed by Pro-Football-Reference.com to estimate career impact. The ranking also lists individual accolades such as Pro Bowl selections, First-Team All-Pro honors, and total years as a starter. Players were assigned to their originally drafted teams, excluding any draft-day trades. Data is as of April 2026.
#10. Jordan Gross (2003, Round 1, Pick 8)
– Position: T
– Career wAV: 69
– Pro Bowls: 3
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 167
– Seasons as Starter: 11
#9. Ryan Kalil (2007, Round 2, Pick 59)
– Position: C
– Career wAV: 72
– Pro Bowls: 5
– First-Team All-Pro: 2
– Games Played: 155
– Seasons as Starter: 9
#8. Thomas Davis (2005, Round 1, Pick 14)
– Position: LB
– Career wAV: 80
– Pro Bowls: 3
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 199
– Seasons as Starter: 12
#6. Muhsin Muhammad (1996, Round 2, Pick 43) (tie)
– Position: WR
– Career wAV: 83
– Pro Bowls: 2
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 202
– Seasons as Starter: 12
#6. Kerry Collins (1995, Round 1, Pick 5) (tie)
– Position: QB
– Career wAV: 83
– Pro Bowls: 2
– First-Team All-Pro: 0
– Games Played: 198
– Seasons as Starter: 11
#5. Christian McCaffrey (2017, Round 1, Pick 8)
– Position: RB
– Career wAV: 86
– Pro Bowls: 4
– First-Team All-Pro: 3
– Games Played: 112
– Seasons as Starter: 6
#4. Luke Kuechly (2012, Round 1, Pick 9)
– Position: LB
– Career wAV: 91
– Pro Bowls: 7
– First-Team All-Pro: 5
– Games Played: 118
– Seasons as Starter: 8
#3. Steve Smith Sr. (2001, Round 3, Pick 74)
– Position: WR
– Career wAV: 102
– Pro Bowls: 5
– First-Team All-Pro: 2
– Games Played: 219
– Seasons as Starter: 14
#2. Cam Newton (2011, Round 1, Pick 1)
– Position: QB
– Career wAV: 115
– Pro Bowls: 3
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 148
– Seasons as Starter: 9
#1. Julius Peppers (2002, Round 1, Pick 2)
– Position: DE
– Career wAV: 130
– Pro Bowls: 9
– First-Team All-Pro: 3
– Games Played: 266
– Seasons as Starter: 16