Yetur Gross-Matos
Gross-Matos (6-foot-5, 265 pounds) was selected by the Panthers with the 34th overall pick in the 2020 draft. He might be the most underrated member of this all-defense draft class. Head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Marty Hurney told the team website on draft day that they didn’t think Gross-Matos would fall out of the first round, adding that they were “really ecstatic” about him.
Their excitement is justified. In three years at Penn State, Gross-Matos put up an impressive 111 tackles and 18.5 sacks, adding two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. Scouts noted his tremendous raw strength and power, noting that while he may need development, the ceiling for Gross-Matos is extremely high if placed in a system with the right veteran presences.
These traits could come together for the second-round draft pick to earn a starting spot on the roster at some point this season, with David Newton of ESPN even reporting that Gross-Matos lined up with the starters in the Panthers’ televised practice at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday.