Green Bay Packers 2015 Impact Meter: Julius Peppers

What is Julius Peppers' ceiling with the Green Bay Packers in 2015? What is his floor?

A rare splashy free-agent signing for Packers general manager Ted Thompson in 2014, Peppers reinvigorated the Packers' pass rush last season. His play was so strong that it allowed defensive coordinator Dom Capers to move edge-rusher Clay Matthews inside on running downs, with Peppers and Mike Neal holding down the edge.

After a brief review of Peppers' 2014 season, we'll look forward to his 2015 campaign and measure the impact he could have on the Packers defense this season.

2014 Season in Review

Games	Starts	Snaps	PFF Ranking	TOT Tackles	Sacks	PD	INT	TDs	FF
16	16	825	7th of 92	29	7	11	2	2	4

Even Thompson couldn't have imagined how impressive a year Peppers would put together in Green Bay in 2014.

Check out this analysis from CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco after Peppers signed a three-year deal with the Packers in March 2014: "After a deep dive into Peppers' 2013 tapes, I came away thinking he is far from done, but if anybody in Green Bay thinks the Packers are getting the guy who put up big numbers in his 20s, they are woefully wrong."

As it turns out, Prisco was a little off.

In his 13th season, Peppers set new career benchmarks in assists on tackles (15), passes defensed (11), touchdowns (two) and tied a career high for interceptions (two). In the postseason, Peppers added another six combined tackles, six assists, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

In 2014, Peppers was both a star in his own right and a true team player, helping his teammates reach higher levels of success. His 15 assisted tackles demonstrate that.

The way Capers used Peppers last season—as a 3-4 elephant rusher—likely reinvigorated Peppers' play, giving him something he was clearly missing in Chicago.

The hybrid role gave him a chance to utilize his pass-rushing skills and innate athleticism without requiring him to line up with his hand in the dirt as he did as a defensive end in Chicago. He is able to drop into coverage. He is able to make plays on the ball.

"It's a little different than what I've been used to in the past," Peppers said of his new role during 2014 training camp in Green Bay, per ESPN.com's Rob Demovksy. "I actually think it fits my skill set better than just being down every play. I'm having fun doing it. I'm just enjoying it."

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

In Week 5 of the 2014 season against the Minnesota Vikings, Peppers intercepted quarterback Christian Ponder and scored after a 49-yard run back to the end zone. It made him the NFL's first player with 100-plus sacks and 10 interceptions, per Paul Imig of Fox Sports Wisconsin.

His ability to drop into coverage as a 3-4 outside linebacker made that possible. In his four seasons with the Bears, he only totaled three interceptions.

Peppers excelling on the outside allowed the Packers to move Matthews inside in the middle of the season, which improved Green Bay's run defense dramatically.

And if Peppers had not made a play and forced running back DeMarco Murray (now with the Philadelphia Eagles) to fumble in the third quarter of the Divisional Round against the Dallas Cowboys, the Packers may never have advanced to the NFC Championship Game. 

Capers also unveiled the high-octane NASCAR package in 2014, which allows Peppers, Matthews, Neal and Nick Perry to be on the field to rush the passer all at once.

2014 has set some high expectations for Peppers' 2015 campaign. Can he deliver?

2015 Preview 

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Some weren't even sure Peppers would see a second season in Green Bay. Along with a hefty $7.5 million signing bonus prorated over his three-year deal, Peppers' base salary in 2015 will be $8.5 million, giving him a cap hit for the season of $12 million, per Spotrac.

However, Peppers did not get released or restructure his contract this offseason. The Packers are rewarding him for his exceptional performance—at 34 years old, no less—last season and investing in future returns.

Through offseason practices, it appears that Matthews will continue to spend time inside in 2015. According to Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News, he and Sam Barrington have been the No. 1 inside linebackers in drills.

That means Peppers and Neal should open the season as the starting outside linebackers in the base defense.

Could Peppers be even better this season than he was last year?

"He’s had a chance to settle in at his new position; maybe he’s got another gear left in him," wrote Vic Ketchman of Packers.com in March.

Barring injury—which has been an infrequent factor in Peppers' career—expect Peppers to get even more opportunities to rush the passer with Matthews projected to start the season inside, which could mean even more sacks.

As for being a locker room leader, Peppers established that role in 2014 when he was elected a team captain over Matthews. Perhaps this is the year when he endears himself enough to go to the Pro Bowl as a Packer.

As for Peppers' floor, given that he'll get more snaps outside because Matthews will start the year inside, it's hard to imagine Peppers putting up poorer numbers than in 2014.

Expected 2015 Impact Meter: High