{"id":863853,"date":"2026-04-11T09:52:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T09:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/863853\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T09:52:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T09:52:06","slug":"insider-reveals-panthers-best-ever-draft-pick-and-hes-flat-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/863853\/","title":{"rendered":"Insider Reveals Panthers Best-Ever Draft Pick, and He\u2019s Flat Wrong"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the NFL Draft<\/a> looming, it brings fans back to past drafts, to some of the great draft moments in their franchise\u2019s history, whether it was a No. 1 pick QB, a stud wide receiver, or a massive trade that worked out for the better. The draft being so close brings back all the best memories from certain drafts of old.<\/p>\n

It begs the question, who\u2019s the best pick in each franchise\u2019s history? For the Carolina Panthers<\/a> specifically, one NFL insider answered this question, and wow, did he get the answer wrong.<\/p>\n

Sports Illustrated\u2019s Matt Verderame released his \u201cBest Draft Pick Ever for Every Team\u201d <\/a>article on Friday morning, and the answer he gave for the Carolina Panthers is shocking. Verderame named Julius Peppers as the Carolina Panthers best draft pick ever. Peppers is one of the all-time great Panthers, recording 159.5 sacks in his career and a worthy induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He\u2019s still not the best draft pick Carolina ever made, though.<\/p>\n

Cam Newton is Clearly the Panthers\u2019 Best Draft Pick Ever\"Cam<\/p>\n

Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates as his team goes 13-0 against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers win 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Cam Newton<\/a> is a better pick than Peppers, and while Peppers is in the Hall of Fame and Newton likely won\u2019t be, that\u2019s cause Newtons prime wasn\u2019t as long as Peppers\u2019 was. Make no mistake about it, though, Cam Newton\u2019s prime was the peak in franchise history for Carolina, and helped produce the best team in franchise history.<\/p>\n

Newton, of course, won the NFL MVP in 2015, throwing for over 3800 yards and 35 touchdowns, while also rushing for over 630 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Panthers finished the season with a 17-2 record, of course ending in depressing fashion with a Super Bowl 50 loss against the Denver Broncos.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cam Newton’s 331 yard, 5 touchdown game agisnt New Orleans in 2015.pic.twitter.com\/058krfTBEN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Football\u2019s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) November 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Not only did Newton lead the Panthers to the playoffs multiple times, but a quarterback is objectively more important than a pass rusher, and drafting the best QB in franchise history is a better pick than a pass rusher, regardless of whether Peppers had a better career at his position than Newton did at QB.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Luke Kuechly Also Presents a Case.\"Luke<\/p>\n

Dec 15, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) looks back to the ref after a play against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Luke Kuechly<\/a> left the game as one of the best linebackers ever, a backer who was extremely good in both pass coverage and blitzing. Kuechly won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2013 and was the youngest ever to do so at the time. Kuechly will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame<\/a> this year, after having a stellar career with 690 solo tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 18 interceptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t to take away from Julius Peppers, who will always be a Panthers legend and one of the most beloved players in franchise history, but based on positional value and the Panthers\u2019 success in the Newton era, it\u2019s hard not to say that Cam Newton isn\u2019t the best draft pick in Panthers history.\u00a0<\/p>\n