CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers ideally will get a definitive answer on whether Julius Peppers will return for a 17th season before free agency begins on Thursday. The 38-year-old defensive end, fourth on the NFL’s all-time sack list, reportedly is leaning toward one last chance to win a Super Bowl.
But the Panthers have to begin preparing for life without Peppers, bringing us to the next in a position-by-position look at the roster.
Next up: Defensive end
2017 grade: B-plus
Carolina got more production than it probably counted on out of Peppers, who tied Mario Addison for the team lead in sacks with 11.