Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State
Elevator Pitch
A lengthy edge defender with plus athleticism and plenty of physical tools, Gross-Matos is a low-floor, high-ceiling prospect who’s a major work in progress but has the potential to be a talented pass-rusher at the next level. His upside should be enough to get him selected somewhere in the first round.
Vitals
Height | 6-5
Weight | 266
Strengths
The combination of size and athleticism gives Gross-Matos a very high ceiling at the next level.
He has great length with long arms off the edge, and his frame has the potential to add even more strength to it. He’s impressive from an athletic standpoint, as he fires off the ball well on a consistent basis. Gross-Matos’ flexibility and fluidity is top-notch, too, as he is capable of changing direction seamlessly in space and sinking his hips to rip and dip underneath offensive tackles. He has the agility to cut inside on stunts, and his fluidity in coverage makes him a valuable three-down defender.
Gross-Matos has plenty of range as a tackler in space, given his long frame and the mobility he possesses. He has shown some potential in regards to the technique in his hands, as well. He plays with quick hands and has been able to shed blocks in pass-rushing situations. His production at the collegiate level was also impressive, as he tallied 17 sacks and 34.5 tackles for a loss in his two seasons as a starter.
Weaknesses
Though his physical attributes are enticing, Gross-Matos still has a ways to go as a technician when rushing the passer. His pad level can be more consistent – his ability to generate power in his lower body isn’t all that great, and despite his flexible hips, he struggles with being the lower man on a regular basis. He’s a top-heavy defender who doesn’t offer a lot of anchor strength to hold blocks in run support yet.
Gross-Matos doesn’t have an extensive array of pass-rushing techniques yet, and there are some cases in which he struggles with keeping a plan when he rushes the quarterback. He doesn’t pack a powerful punch at the initial point of contact, and his ability to disengage with blockers in space isn’t all that great. His tackles for a loss numbers are impressive, but a lot of them took place when he was schemed in space, as opposed to plugging up holes.
Projection: 1st Round
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