Panthers Draft: Why did Yetur Gross-Matos fall to No. 38?

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(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) Yetur Gross-Matos /

Should the Panthers be concerned by Gross-Matos slide?

Only time will tell as to whether the concerns surrounding Yetur Gross-Matos will come to fruition. The Carolina Panthers draft team could not hide their delight after he fell into their lap in the second round, with general manager Marty Hurney stating they were even planning to move back into the first to get their man.

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Simply put, this is a phenomenal landing spot for Gross-Matos and one that could see him thrive in the pros. With second-year-pro Brian Burns occupying the right-hand edge, the incoming recruit will get the chance to go up against right tackles either at defensive end or at outside linebacker.

This has the potential for Gross-Matos to cause havoc in opposing backfields in the short-term. With No. 7 overall pick Derrick Brown and returning veteran Kawann Short set to command plenty of attention on the interior. It will provide the second-round pick with the space he needs to make things happen in a one-on-one environment.

With free-agent signing Stephen Weatherly and former first-rounder Shaq Thompson also forming part of Carolina’s front seven in their new 4-3 base defense. Gross-Matos might be something of an afterthought when it comes to opposing team’s planning. And that would be just fine by the Panthers and the player.

The Panthers draft team got nothing but glowing references regarding Gross-Matos during the evaluation process. This seems to indicate his off-the-field issues are behind him as he embarks on the next chapter of his career.

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If he can refine certain areas of his game, then this selection has the chance to look like a shrewd move from the Carolina decision-makers.

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