The Best Carolina Panthers Players of All-Time

Rolando Rosa Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

The Carolina Panthers have struggled the last six years, but the franchise has seen some great players come through the locker room.

Carolina fans will be familiar with the players on this list, but did you know that North Carolina sports betting is coming on March 11th? You will be able to wager on (or against) the Panthers from the Tar Heel State! Here are a few guys that I wouldn’t have bet against. Let’s count down the five best players in Panthers history: 

5. TE Wesley Walls (1996-02)

Wesley Walls set the bar high at tight end during his seven seasons with the franchise. Walls amassed 324 receptions for 3,902 yards and 44 touchdowns as a Panther. 

Walls was a major factor for the Panthers’ magical march to the NFC Championship Game in their second season. 

During the regular season, Walls had 61 receptions for 713 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Walls caught a touchdown in the Panthers’ 26-17 home victory vs. the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional round. 

He reached the Pro Bowl five times, the most of any Panthers tight end. Walls was also a three-time Second-team All-Pro. He is third in receiving touchdowns and fifth in receiving yards for the Panthers. 

On Oct. 6, 2019, Walls was inducted into the Panthers’ Hall of Honor.

4. QB Cam Newton (2011-19, 2021)

Cam Newton revolutionized the quarterback position upon entering the league as the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. 

At the peak of his powers, Newton was equally dangerous through the air and on the ground. Newton currently holds the all-time record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (75). 

During his first season, the dual-threat Newton established rookie records for passing (4,051) and rushing yards (706) en route to Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

From 2013-17, Newton guided the Panthers to the playoffs four times with three division titles. 

The pinnacle of Newton’s career came in 2015. The Panthers notched a 15-1 record as Newton became the first player in franchise history to win NFL MVP. Newton tossed two touchdowns and rushed for two scores in the 49-15 victory vs. the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game. 

The three-time Pro Bowler is the Panthers’ all-time leader in passing yards (29,725) and touchdown passes (186) while also being third in rushing yards (5,036). 

It’s a virtual lock that Newton will be inducted into the Panthers’ Hall of Honor whenever he formally retires. 

3. DE/LB Julius Peppers (2002-09, 2017-18)

Simply put, the 6-foot-7, 295-pound Julius Peppers was a nightmare for opposing offenses. 

The Panthers tabbed the North Carolina native out of UNC with the No. 2 pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. Peppers spent the first eight years of his legendary career with his home state team. 

In his first pro season, Peppers wreaked havoc with 12 sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception as he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. 

During his second season, Peppers played a pivotal role on the first Panthers squad to reach the Super Bowl. Peppers tallied seven sacks and three forced fumbles in the regular season. Peppers had an interception in the Panthers’ 29-10 victory vs. the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional round. 

In 2004, Peppers collected 11 sacks, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles to finish fourth in DPOY voting. 

While with the Panthers, Peppers earned five Pro Bowl selections and three First-team All Pro nods en route to being named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. Peppers is the Panthers’ all-time leader in sacks (97). 

Peppers earned his rightful place in the Panthers’ Honor Roll on Oct. 29, 2023. Based on his stint with the Panthers and the rest of his decorated NFL career, Peppers should eventually have his bust in Canton as well. 

2. WR Steve Smith (2001-13)

What Steve Smith lacked in stature and size he more than made up for with sheer will and determination. 

The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Smith is the undisputed G.O.A.T. receiver for the Panthers. The five-time Pro Bowler is the Panthers’ all-time leader in receptions (836), touchdown receptions (67), and receiving yards (12,197). 

Smith was a key offensive weapon for the 2003 Cardiac Cats that advanced to the Super Bowl. 

In the 2003 regular season, Smith had 88 receptions for 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith’s 69-yard touchdown reception in double overtime sealed the Panthers’ thrilling 29-23 double overtime victory at the then-St. Louis Rams in the Divisional round. 

Smith’s inspirational recovery from breaking his leg in 2004 earned him 2005 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Smith became the first receiver to win the Triple Crown since Sterling Sharpe in 1992. Smith produced 103 receptions, 1,563 yards, and 12 touchdowns. He was the heart and soul of the 2005 postseason run to the NFC Championship Game. 

Smith snagged a 22-yard touchdown reception and ran for a 12-yard score in the 23-0 shutout vs. the host New York Giants in the Wild Card round. He followed that up with a dazzling 12 receptions for 219 yards and two touchdowns in the 29-21 road upset at the Chicago Bears in the Divisional round. 

Smith was enshrined into the Panthers’ Hall of Honor on Oct. 6, 2019. As a member of some of the best squads in Panthers history, the fiery wide receiver left an indelible mark on the franchise. 

1. LB Luke Kuechly (2012-19)

Luke Kuechly foreshadowed his career excellence during one of the best rookie seasons by a linebacker. 

The rookie led the league in tackles (164 combined) along with 12 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and three fumble recoveries. Kuechly was rewarded with NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. 

In his second season, Kuechly demonstratively proved his success wasn’t a fluke with 156 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and four interceptions. At 22 years old, Kuechly became the youngest player to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year. 

Kuechly also finished at the top of the league for tackles in 2014. 

As a member of the 2015 NFC Championship squad, Kuechly was third in DPOY voting. Kuechly stamped the Panthers’ blowout victory vs. the Cardinals in the conference title game with a 22-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter. 

During his eight-year career, the ball-hawking linebacker never had a season under 100 tackles and tallied 18 interceptions. Kuechly is second all-time in combined tackles (1,092) for the Panthers. 

Kuechly retired at the age of 28 as a seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time First-team All Pro and a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. Kuechly certainly has a resume worthy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

The Future of the Panthers

The Panthers have plenty of room to improve in the coming years. They are currently developing a new quarterback in Bryce Young, and rebuilding their coaching staff. Perhaps we will be able to add another Panther to this list in the coming years?

Panthers fans, sports betting will be live on March 11th in North Carolina. Be sure to stay up to date on the latest North Carolina betting promos ahead of the launch!

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1600 to unlock BetMGM's welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
• Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
• Sports betting is live in North Carolina! Check out our list of North Carolina Sportsbooks and get ready for the NFL season.
• Our DraftKings Promo Code earns users $150 in bonus bets when you bet $5. Sign up today!

Rolando Rosa

Rolando Rosa is a South Florida native and graduate of Florida Atlantic University. Rolando is a sports editor/writer and has worked on casino content for the past few years across multiple websites. More from Rolando Rosa