With the youngest NFL defense to play in a decade, the Carolina Panthers will have no choice but to rely on their rookies during the 2020 season. One of the key new additions to the roster is second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos, a defensive end from Penn State.
Gross-Matos may have a chance to start on the edge if he’s able to impress Matt Rhule (who shares his alma mater) and the other coaches over the next few weeks at training camp. If he does, he can give some credit to the guy who will be lining up on the other side of the defensvie line.
Speaking with reporters via Zoom today, Gross-Matos said that Brian Burns has been helping him get acclimated to the league.
Gross-Matos praises Brian Burns for helping him get acclimated to the league. “Anytime he sees me going through a drill, he gives me a little something to put in the back in my mind.” #Panthers
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) August 10, 2020
Burns is only going into his second year in the NFL, but in this defense players like him and cornerback Donte Jackson will be forced into leadership roles whether they have the requisite experience or not.
Any help that Burns can give Gross-Matos should be welcome. If things work out, they might be starting together for a long time.
Gross-Matos has a strong relative athletic score, but there’s more to it than that. Versatility will be key for him earning his playing time. Gross-Matos said he’s taking notes on every position up front, not just his own.
Gross-Matos says he knows versatility is big for the defense, so he’s doing his best to make himself available at any position along the defensive line. Says he’s taking notes for every position, not just his own. #Panthers
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) August 10, 2020
We should expect to see a lot more mixing and matching in the trenches than we had in the past.
During the draft, coach Rhule talked about using first-round pick Derrick Brown at multiple spots. If Gross-Matos can as well, it will give defensive coordinator Phil Snow a lot more options.
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