Heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, here is a live tracker for everything and anything involving the Carolina Panthers as they enter Day 2.
The Carolina Panthers earned many high grades and praise for selecting defensive tackle Derrick Brown out of Auburn with the No. 7 overall pick last night. All eyes will be on how they continue to improve their team as the 2020 NFL Draft continues tonight as optimism is in the air.
The decisions made in these mid-rounds of this year’s draft will speak volumes on the kind of preparation and well, the ability of general manager Marty Hurney to deliver future star players. It won’t be easy but the writing on the wall has been that there will be a heavy focus on addressing all their defensive woes with the majority of their draft picks.
Hopefully, they use tonight’s Day 2 event to add a new cornerback and maybe even a new linebacker. These two positional groups, as well as their safety situation, should be high on their draft board priorities. Address these areas tonight and it’ll be a great start to rebuilding their defense the right way with young talent ready to come in and take care of business.
Carolina Panthers 2020 NFL Draft Live Tracker
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Please keep in mind that in this Panthers NFL Draft live tracker, Cat Crave will only post tweets/updates from official, verified, and real sources. There is no need to worry about anything fake being posted below in this live tracker as it’s coming from team reporters, writers, and legitimate accounts. We also recommend refreshing this page often to get the latest updates.
PANTHERS DRAFT PICKS
Round 1 (No. 7) – Defensive tackle Derrick Brown
Round 2 (No. 38) – Defensive End Yetur Gross-Matos
Round 2 (No. 64) – Safety Jeremy Chinn
WHEN
Rounds 2-3 of the NFL Draft will take place tonight on Friday, April 24. Rounds 4-7 will take place on Saturday, April 25.
TIME
Rounds 2-3 of the NFL Draft will begin tonight at 7:00 P.M. Eastern Time and this year’s draft concludes on Saturday afternoon at 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time.
WATCH
The NFL Draft will be aired simultaneously across ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network today as well as tomorrow.
LIVE STREAM
In case you don’t have the ability to watch tonight’s draft live as it happens or even for tomorrow’s conclusion early in the afternoon, fuboTV has an incredible offer for first-time subscribers in which you’ll get a free 7-day trial. You’ll be able to watch Rounds 2-7 of this year’s draft as this is a service that has sports, network shows, news, and movies on over 100 channels. fuboTV is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Spain. Packages and pricing differ per country.
Last Update: 4/24/2020 @ 11:34 P.M. Eastern Time
Did you know Panthers second-round pick Jeremy Chinn has an uncle who is a two-time Super Bowl champ and a newly-elected member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Yep, Steve Atwater, who was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection at safety, the same position... https://t.co/G4J7w4fuBa
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 25, 2020
You ain't rockin' if you ain't crocin' 😂 pic.twitter.com/98j6TePD6I
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2020
Jeremy Chinn says he's followed the careers of other FCS players who've done well in the NFL. Mentioned Carson Wentz, David Johnson and Rodney Harrison.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Love Chinn’s attitude about the feeling of being a guy a team traded up to get, after being a no-star recruit out of high school (he later had a growth spurt). Says with a big grin that it’s a completely different feeling now.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
Truly blessed to be apart of this organization! Words can’t describe my dream coming to fruition! Hungry and ready to work💯 pic.twitter.com/QglGhYdOBl
— Yetur Gross-Matos (@__lobo99) April 25, 2020
Jeremy Chinn says he talked to his uncle Steve Atwater right after he was drafted. "He let me know, he's always one phone call away."
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Good quote from Jeremy Chinn: I can run with anybody. (Runs a 4.45)
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
Jeremy Chinn: I'm always going to be around the football.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Jeremy Chinn on the Zoom. pic.twitter.com/T8AOLb2gJR
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Everything Yetur Gross-Matos does is to honor his father and brother 💙 pic.twitter.com/QLEtPPhG7t
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2020
Jeremy Chinn is on the Zoom. He was asked if he will be playing corner; he will not be. He’s going to be playing nickel, safety, big nickel, nickel sam according to Rhule. Middle of the field.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
Panthers coach Matt Rhule hadn't talked to Auburn coach Gus Malzahn "a day in my life'' until Friday, when Malzahn ran down Rhule's phone number and called to tell him what Carolina got in defensive tackle Derrick Brown with the seventh pick. Beyond... https://t.co/vI08dsB3mM
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 25, 2020
Here’s why Panthers GM Marty Hurney was willing to give up his third-round pick (69) and a fifth-rounder (148) to Seattle to move up to 64 for Southern Illinois safety/nickel/linebacker Jeremy Chinn: “We had him [rated] fairly highly. We thought he was... https://t.co/Kv8iuMYihh
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 25, 2020
Marty Hurney: “Obviously, corner is a spot of need. But the one thing you don’t want to do is take a player just cause you’re reaching.”
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) April 25, 2020
#KeepPounding!!!!
— Jeremy Chinn (@ChinnJeremy2) April 25, 2020
Matt Rhule says he got a text from Christian McCaffrey at 1 a.m. today asking for Derrick Brown's number.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Marty Hurney: Obviously, CB is a spot of need. And if there's guys that fit us, we'll take 'em. But don't want to reach or force the matter.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Hurney on the plan at corner: We will go through the draft, and if there are guys who warrant being taken, we will take them. I know it’s a cliche, but we really took the top guys on our board. Don’t want to take a guy just because you’re needy at the position.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
Rhule says Chinn should help Panthers cover the TEs and RBs in the NFC South.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Rhule: These are not short-term-fix guys. These are all guys who are going to get better...and better...and better.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
Matt Rhule: "We're trying to build a defensive line that you have to be prepared for."
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Marty Hurney says they didn’t think Chinn would get to them, and so felt the deal was right.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
Joe Brady was at Penn State when Gross-Matos was there. Panthers coaches went back and looked at HS and college tape this yr with the truncated evaluation period b/c quarantine.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Rhule says that Gross-Matos is gonna rush from the inside and outside - thinks he’s going to develop into a really special player and thought they’d miss him in the first round.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
Matt Rhule on Jeremy Chinn: "Rare height-weight, speed." (thinks they can utilize him in different spots.)
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Marty Hurney on going defense first three picks: "If you told us we could have gotten these three guys, we would have been ecstatic and thought it would've been really hard."
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Hurney: Our plan was obviously to try to improve our defense and (within that category) we picked the best players there. We have three guys who are gonna grow in our defense and really help us out. Cites Rhule and Snow’s vision for building defense.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
I like this kid chinn... athletic DOG!!!
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) April 25, 2020
Carolina Panthers trade up to draft safety Jeremy Chinn
The Carolina Panthers made a major move back into the second round to select versatile safety Jeremy Chinn out of Southern Illinois.
Second-round pick Jeremy Chinn fits the position-less player Panthers coach Matt Rhule covets. He'll play safety, nickel and linebacker for Carolina. https://t.co/clvIW39Yeh
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 25, 2020
Hurney and Rhule zooming shortly - so they must be done for the night.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
Unless they trade back into the third round, Panthers done for the night.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Jeremy Chinn, the Panthers' new safety, is both a proud Southern Illinois Saluki and the nephew of former NFL hall of fame great Steve Atwater.
— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) April 25, 2020
The Twitter GMs liked this pick 😃https://t.co/7URMoDbhFi
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2020
I'm just going to say it. LOVE what the #Panthers have done in this draft so far. #NFLDraft
— Cat Crave (@CatCraveBlog) April 25, 2020
Jeremy Chinn can play in the box, slot and deep.
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) April 25, 2020
Derrick Brown and Yetur Gross-Matos can play multiple positions on the line.
Position flexibility.
If you missed it, #Panthers acquired the pick from the #Seahawks.
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) April 25, 2020
Trade details
CAR receives No. 64
SEA receives No. 69 (rd 3), No. 148 (rd 5)
Position-less football? Jeremy Chinn was a strong safety at S. Illinois, but has some CB experience.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/1253861471072800769
The #Panthers trade up to No. 64 and select S Jeremy Chinn #KeepPounding
— NFL Spin Zone (@NFLSpinZone) April 25, 2020
Grades for every Day 2 pick in the 2020 #NFLDraft https://t.co/TP6bNpcSJE
The Panthers see Chinn playing nickel and safety role for them. Also has CB background. https://t.co/hRLiz0nQVH
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
Jeremy Chinn is long (6-3, 221), fast (4.45) and is a ball-hawk (13 INTs at Southern Illinois). Also, good bloodlines: His uncle is Steve Atwater, who was good at football.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
The Panthers have selected Southern Illinois safety Jeremy Chinn at No. 64. They are out of picks for the rest of the night.
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) April 25, 2020
Via trade with Seattle to pick No. 64, the Panthers are going to take Southern Illinois S Jeremy Chinn.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
WE ARE MOVIN UP!!! pic.twitter.com/uEbOTWSGMq
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2020
Panthers have traded up to No. 64 and are on the clock. They gave up pick No. 69 and 148.
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) April 25, 2020
Panthers second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos learned something tonight about his new coach, Matt Rhule, who was the head coach at Temple when Gross-Matos was in high school in Virginia: “I got offered from Temple when I was in high school. I didn’t know... https://t.co/BqY8NyLNSx
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 25, 2020
Yetur Gross-Matos (@__lobo99) is trading in his @PennStateFball blue for @Panthers blue.
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) April 24, 2020
The Nittany Lions star is the first B1G player off the board in the #NFLDraft second round! pic.twitter.com/R5iqj35dHZ
Cornerbacks still available. #Panthers #NFLDraft
— Cat Crave (@CatCraveBlog) April 25, 2020
- Amik Robertson
- Kristian Fulton
- Bryce Hall
- Cameron Dantzler
- Troy Pride Jr.
- Darnay Holmes
More than a name.
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2020
Yetur means “surrounded by family.”
Welcome to ours. pic.twitter.com/TBEtxgY3TG
... "It's about taking advantage of opportunities every second, every day," Gross-Matos said. "Give your best and love the people around you. Me and my family are a very close group. That is how it has affected me on and off the field."
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) April 25, 2020
...Nine years later Gross-Matos’ brother, Chelal, died he was struck by lightning while the two brothers were playing outside.
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) April 25, 2020
Gross-Matos said the incidents have put the rest of his life in perspective. ...
New Panthers DE Yetur Gross-Matos' early life was marred by family tragedy. When he was 2 years old, he fell off the side of a boat during a family outing. His father, Michael Gross, saved Yetur but wound up drowning in the process and died at 29. ...
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) April 25, 2020
There it is! Yetur Gross-Matos (@__lobo99) selected 38th overall by the @Panthers. What a story. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/pSgg8jNUMK
— Mitch Gerber (@MitchGerber) April 24, 2020
Panthers second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos wears a size 17 shoe, which makes for a very large pair of Crocs that he wore tonight for the draft. https://t.co/As7HbdiXzV
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 25, 2020
Gross-Matos is a BIG Crocs guy. pic.twitter.com/xwagQzboL6
— Zach Goins (@zach_goins) April 25, 2020
Did you miss the Carolina @Panthers' draft pick announcement last night? It was more musical than usual! #JT #JamesTaylor @DerrickBrownAU5 #KeepPounding #DraftDay @NFLDraft https://t.co/m7DaQgNlnV
— James Taylor (@JamesTaylor_com) April 25, 2020
Crazy defensive line coming your way‼️ pic.twitter.com/OfxdSkAXRS
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2020
Where does Yetur Gross-Matos fit on the #Panthers' depth chart? #NFLDraft https://t.co/TBv1h2Bvs0
— Cat Crave (@CatCraveBlog) April 25, 2020
Yetur Gross-Matos: I want to sack Tom Brady.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/JourdanRodrigue/status/1253846987805466624
Yetur Gross-Matos says his dad just told him Matt Rhule offered him when he was at Temple ... and he didn't remember.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Gross-Matos: As a player, I am always someone who is going to work hard. I want to be great. As a person, I always want to bring positive energy.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
Gross-Matos: my family and I have all been leaning on each other...just feeling lucky to be here.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
Yetur Gross-Matos says he didn’t play a lot of fb growing up. Learned a ton at Penn State. pic.twitter.com/wgU3arHaEV
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 25, 2020
Yetur Gross-Matos on the Zoom: I had some really good discussions with the Panthers - knew there was a chance. It has just been a blessing.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2020
The family of Panthers' second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos gathered for a collective embrace when his name was called tonight. Asked on ESPN what the moment meant, he said: "I mean it was absolutely everything, especially going through last night and... https://t.co/bJA9z0Agjl
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 25, 2020
New @panthers teammates @DerrickBrownAU5 + @idjmoore plus @KirkCousins8 + @CFD22 are live NOW! #DraftAThon
— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2020
DONATE: Text DRAFT to 21000 (Standard msg. rates)
Or Visit: https://t.co/t5JVKzAOtjhttps://t.co/4ptERANRjN
Two solid picks @Panthers 🔥🔥
— Kawann Short (@kk_mr93) April 24, 2020
The childhood of Panthers' second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos is not without tragedy. When he was 1, his father drowned trying to save him on a boating trip. His big brother died when struck by lightening on a baseball field. "The biggest thing is just... https://t.co/6jEuAnCukH
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 25, 2020
Matt Nagy absolutely is going to draft Pepe Silvia next in that war room.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) April 25, 2020
What did we give the #Panthers for taking Penn State edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos? #NFLDraft https://t.co/uZe1HD329P
— Cat Crave (@CatCraveBlog) April 25, 2020
Unthinkable tragedy and pain are part of his journey.
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2020
But Gross-Matos’ dad and big brother sure must be smiling now 💙https://t.co/ahu289oWzb
KK and the kids:
— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) April 25, 2020
Panthers' starting D-line in 2020 could consist of Burns and Gross-Matos at DE, Brown and Short at DT. That's two rookies, one second-year guy and one @kk_mr93, who may want to devise his own nickname for that crew.
The NFC South just got tougher. Welcome to the @Panthers, Yetur Gross-Matos (@__lobo99)! #NFLDraft #MadeInHappyValley pic.twitter.com/0sAbbAIHVr
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) April 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/1253834746540494849
Gross-Matos played in a club through a hand/wrist injury last season against Ohio State. He pushed to play, did so in a club and then proceeded to have his best game of the year (9 tackles, 2 sacks, 3.5 TFL).
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 24, 2020
New coach Matt Rhule is serious about building his defense from the inside out. After taking DT Derrick Brown at No. 7, he got one of the more athletic defensive ends in Penn State's Yetur Gross-Matos. This kid lacks all the physical attributes to... https://t.co/E1Ng3vqz28
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 24, 2020
Good luck stopping the #Panthers' defensive front next season! #NFLDraft #KeepPounding
— Cat Crave (@CatCraveBlog) April 24, 2020
https://t.co/ESdDvlDVuJ
Gross-Matos was @dpbrugler 's No. 3 EDGE in this class. Brugler writes that among his substantial physical gifts, Gross-Matos has a "coachable mindset and is 'innately motivated' according to NFL scouts."
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 24, 2020
Two picks, two defnesive linemen for the #Panthers so far — Derrick Brown and Yetur Gross-Matos.
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) April 24, 2020
#Panthers fans can get excited, Yetur Gross-Matos may be most versatile DL in the entire draft!
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) April 24, 2020
What makes him special- #AchoAnswers @__lobo99 @JourdanRodrigue @DNewtonespn #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/QkoCm09Eio
Marty Hurney and Matt Rhule weren't kidding about this "build from the front" stuff on D. Yetur Gross-Matos at DE continues the defense-first theme this draft was always going to be for Carolina; now I would guess a corner in round 3.
— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) April 24, 2020
Yetur Gross-Matos lost his father in a boating accident when he was young. He was in the boat with his father, who made sure his son was safe before his father himself drowned. His brother was killed by lightning at a young age. Been through a lot.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 24, 2020
𝗬𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗼𝘀
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 24, 2020
(pronounced YEE-tore gross mah-toes) pic.twitter.com/k8MFYsfSMj
How to counter Brees, Ryan, Brady? Pass rush, pass rush, pass rush.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 24, 2020
The #Panthers select EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos with the No. 38 pick. #KeepPounding
— NFL Spin Zone (@NFLSpinZone) April 24, 2020
Grades for every Day 2 pick in the 2020 #NFLDraft https://t.co/TP6bNpcSJE
Sunday scaries are about to get real 😤 pic.twitter.com/FVVDjFlmeG
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 24, 2020
Panthers select DE Yetur Gross-Matos from Penn State in round 2.
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) April 24, 2020
Had 17.5 sacks the last two years. Hurney and Rhule weren't kidding about beefing up that defensive front.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 24, 2020
At pick No. 38, the Panthers are taking EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State, per source.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 24, 2020
⏰⏰⏰ pic.twitter.com/dPkLDY2qPm
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 24, 2020
If I'm Hurney/Rhule, I'm taking one of those SEC CBs.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 24, 2020
Wonder if Panthers go Yetur Gross-Matos and get some more pass rush here
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) April 24, 2020
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 24, 2020
Would be surprised if Panthers didn’t go defense again here in the second round. Over the past couple weeks, Matt Rhule hasn’t been shy admitting they need bodies on defense.
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) April 24, 2020
I think it is possible to both be excited about the possibility of Mims in the Panthers' offense, while also being annoyed about the absolute glaring lack of corner depth, particularly at No.1, particularly for a team in this division. Two thoughts held within the brain at once.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 24, 2020
The Panthers have picks No. 38 and 69 tonight. They still need a No. 1 corner and another DT, but don't be surprised if they add a safety if the right player is there. https://t.co/sBDN8hb4cT
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 24, 2020
Might mess around and...
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 24, 2020
👋
\ 😳
|| \_
_/¯ ¯\_
head to the couch again
😜
👊 /||\_
_/¯ ¯\_
Yesterday I participated in the NFL #DraftAThon on behalf of @Nationwide - as we've both been very connected to the community via the Walter Payton Man of the Year platform. We hope more NFL fans can get involved over the next 2 days. Visit https://t.co/AeSJ5Vccyy to learn more. pic.twitter.com/hiTpSSJEyg
— Greg Olsen (@gregolsen88) April 24, 2020
A big man that plays big 😤https://t.co/RruNbY8Lvs
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 24, 2020
Everyone around the league I’ve talked to today is assuming Rhule is going to make a play for Mims tonight. Am told, as others have been, the Panthers aren’t shopping Curtis Samuel fwiw
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) April 24, 2020
Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele coached linebackers for the Panthers from 1995-98. Today when he talked to Derrick Brown, he put on his old Panthers sweatshirt, saying he doesn’t have many things from those days. pic.twitter.com/sJs3CBjoYp
— Ashley Mahoney (@m_a_h_o_n_e_y) April 24, 2020