We’ve had some very loved Carolina Panthers throughout the team’s history. Players like Sams Mills, Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith, John Kasey, and Cam Newton just to name a select few. That being said when I came across this list of the most loved defensive rookie players of the past 20 years I wasn’t surprised to see to Panthers. And it was exciting to see that a Carolina Panthers alum took the title of most loved defensive rookie.
This list was curated by Betway by taking the winners of the NFL’s prestigious “Defensive Rookie of the Year” winners from the last 20 years and looking at the online sentiment surrounding them. In the NFL Draft a quarterback, flashy running back or receiver are typically the sexiest picks for fans. But they saying is defense wins championships and I believe that to be true. When a team can draft a defensive rookie who can immediately make a positive impact that’s a huge advantage for the organization. When you think of some of the Panthers’ most popular defensive names who comes to mind first? Probably Luke Keuchly and Julius Peppers. Both were drafted by the Panthers ten years apart, and both made a huge impact on the franchise. They also of course both won the title of Defensive Rookie of the Year.
So it’s no surprise both of them made this list! Keep reading to see where each of the 20 most recent Rookie of the Year ranked on popularity and public sentiment. And of course which Carolina Panthers alum takes the title of most loved rookie? You can read the full Betway study here.
20. Sheldon Richardson
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 03: Sheldon Richardson #91 of the New York Jets laughs on the field before a pre-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on September 3, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Season Drafted: 2013
College: Missouri
NFL Team Drafted By: New York Jets
Position: Defensive End
Positive Sentiment: 0.77%
19. Shaquille Leonard
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 18: Shaquille Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts signs autographs before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 18, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Season Drafted: 2018
College: South Carolina State
NFL Team Drafted By: Indianapolis Colts
Position: Linebacker
Positive Sentiment: 1.11%
18. Chase Young
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 24: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Season Drafted: 2020
College: Ohio State
NFL Team Drafted By: Washington Commanders
Position: Defensive End
Positive Sentiment: 1.86%
17. Ndamukong Suh
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 21: Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions in action during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 21, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
Season Drafted: 2010
College: Nebraska
NFL Team Drafted By: Detroit Lions
Position: Defensive End
Positive Sentiment: 1.86%
16. Marcus Peters
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 24: Cornerback Marcus Peters #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after a play during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Season Drafted: 2015
College: Washington
NFL Team Drafted By: Kansas City Chiefs
Position: Cornerback
Positive Sentiment: 2.39%
15. Patrick Willis
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 05: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field during player introductions for their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium on October 5, 2014 in Santa Clara, California.
Season Drafted: 2007
College: Ole Miss
NFL Team Drafted By: San Francisco 49ers
Position: Linebacker
Positive Sentiment: 2.78%
14. Jerod Mayo
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 10: Jerod Mayo #51 of the New England Patriots defends against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on December 10, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Season Drafted: 2008
College: Tennessee
NFL Team Drafted By: New England Patriots
Position: Linebacker
Positive Sentiment: 2.79%
13. Julius Peppers
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 24: Julius Peppers #90 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Season Drafted: 2002
College: North Carolina
NFL Team Drafted By: Carolina Panthers
Position: Defensive End
Positive Sentiment: 3.43%
12. Shawne Merriman
SAN DIEGO – SEPTEMBER 19: Linebacker Shawne Merriman #56 of the San Diego Chargers comes off the line of scrimmage against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium on September 19, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 38-13.
Season Drafted: 2005
College: Maryland
NFL Team Drafted By: San Diego Chargers
Position: Linebacker
Positive Sentiment: 3.46%
11. Brian Cushing
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 17: Brian Cushing #56 of the Houston Texans warms up on the field prior to the start of their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on December 17, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Season Drafted: 2009
College: Southern Cal
NFL Team Drafted By: Houston Texans
Position: Linebacker
Positive Sentiment: 3.97%
10. Marshon Lattimore
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 12: Marshon Lattimore #23 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 12, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Season Drafted: 2017
College: Ohio State
NFL Team Drafted By: New Orleans Saints
Position: Cornerback
Positive Sentiment: 4.23%
9. Jonathan Vilma
New York Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma follows the play against the Indianapolis Colts at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 1, 2006. The Colts defeated the Jets 31-28.
Season Drafted: 2004
College: Miami
NFL Team Drafted By: New York Jets
Position: Linebacker
Positive Sentiment: 4.36%
8. Nick Bosa
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after sacking Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
Season Drafted: 2019
College: Ohio State
NFL Team Drafted By: San Francisco 49ers
Position: Defensive End
Positive Sentiment: 4.60%
7. Von Miller
DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 26: Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos warms up before the game against the New York Jets at Empower Field At Mile High on September 26, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.
Season Drafted: 2011
College: Texas A&M
NFL Team Drafted By: Denver Broncos
Position: Linebacker
Positive Sentiment: 4.61%
6. Joey Bosa
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 14: Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Inglewood, California.
Season Drafted: 2016
College: Ohio State
NFL Team Drafted By: San Diego Chargers
Position: Defensive End
Positive Sentiment: 4.66%
5. Terrell Suggs
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before playing against the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Season Drafted: 2003
College: Arizona State
NFL Team Drafted By: Baltimore Ravens
Position: Linebacker
Positive Sentiment: 6.66%
4. Aaron Donald
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 08: efensive tackle Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium on September 08, 2022 in Inglewood, California.
Season Drafted: 2014
College: Pittsburgh
NFL Team Drafted By: St. Louis Rams
Position: Defensive Tackle
Positive Sentiment: 7.43%
3. Micah Parsons
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 18: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after sacking Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Arlington, Texas
Season Drafted: 2021
College: Penn State
NFL Team Drafted By: Dallas Cowboys
Position: Linebacker
Positive Sentiment: 8.05%
2. DeMeco Ryans
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 30: DeMeco Ryans #59 of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on October 30, 2011 in Houston, Texas.
Season Drafted: 2006
College: Alabama
NFL Team Drafted By: Houston Texans
Position: Linebacker
Positive Sentiment: 8.9%
1. Luke Kuechly
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 29: Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers before their game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Season Drafted: 2012
College: Boston College
NFL Team Drafted By: Carolina Panthers
Position: Linebacker
Positive Sentiment: 10.00%
