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Mike Rucker was an elite complementary defensive end. It might be a disservice to call him that, but that's kind of what he was simply due to the sheer talent alongside him for much of his time in Carolina.

The Panthers drafted Rucker in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played in a rotational role for his first two seasons and accumulated 5.5 sacks in that time. After the retirement of Reggie White, Rucker slid in to the starting defensive end spot opposite Jay Williams. He was the best pass rusher on the team that season, leading the group with nine sacks as the team struggled to a 1-15 record. That putrid season allowed the team to draft Julius Peppers, and he and Rucker formed one of the most formidable edge duos in the league with monsters on the interior like Kris Jenkins making the entire front four a nightmare for the rest of the league.

Rucker hit double digit sacks in each of his first two seasons opposite Peppers. His sack production dipped in the subsequent seasons, but he was still a very effective player as an edge setter and all around solid defensive end. He tore his ACL near the end of the 2006 season. He was able to rehab in time to return for the 2007 season, and despite quickly regaining his pre-injury form, he decided to call it a career after that season at the age of 33.