Carolina Panthers No. 97: Can Yetur Gross-Matos make instant impact?

Can second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos make an instant impact with the Carolina Panthers?

The 2020 NFL Draft proved to be a historic one for the Carolina Panthers. They allocated every selection to improving their defense, which was the first time any NFL team had gone in this particular direction.

This was a welcome move by the Carolina Panthers. Their defensive options were decimated in free agency after a wealth of seasoned veterans opted to take their chances elsewhere. And they now going into the upcoming campaign with plenty of young talent desperate to make a name for themselves.

One such player is pass-rusher Yetur Gross-Matos. The former Penn State standout fell into Carolina’s lap at No. 38, which potentially could be a real steal if the player reaches his ceiling.

Gross-Matos has everything one is looking for in an edge rusher at the next level. He possesses incredible explosives off the block. And with a little more refinement he can be a real asset to the Panthers going forward.

Just how much Gross-Matos contributes in his rookie season will ultimately come down to how quickly the player adjusts to his new surroundings. The Panthers’ new-look roster isn’t going to have much time together before competitive action gets underway. So it is imperative that the incoming prospect and others get up to speed at the earliest opportunity.

The organization is going to give Gross-Matos every chance to make an impact in 2020. His versatility could mean he sees time at both outside linebacker or defensive end. But whether that is from a starting positional or as part of the rotation is another matter entirely.

Gross-Matos was a prolific pass-rushing force in college and recorded 17 sacks, 63 solo tackles, and two forced fumbles over a three-year period. There is plenty to like about the way he goes about his business on the field. And the player seems to fit the athletic mold that new head coach Matt Rhule has sought during his first few months in the role.

One can only speculate as to why a player with a first-round grade dropped into the second. But this was definitely the Panthers’ gain providing they develop Gross-Matos into a ferocious presence getting to the quarterback.

What can the Carolina Panthers expect from Gross-Matos in his rookie year?

The Carolina Panthers will be learning by doing on defense next season. They are relatively unproven across all areas and this is bound to come with some inconsistencies in the face of such stern competition.

This will be especially evident from their rookie class. Big things are expected of Gross-Matos from the moment he steps on the field. But he will find out that the NFL is a completely different ball game.

However, if the player can enhance his pass-rushing repertoire and improve his run support, then Carolina is going to have a real player on their hands. These changes will not happen overnight. So it will be essential that the coaching staff put Gross-Matos’ strengths to good use while he works on other areas of his game.

The good news for Gross-Matos and the Panthers is that they have plenty of other also vying for game time. This could be crucial for the Penn State product, who never really had to fight for a starting spot during his final two years in college.

This added sense of urgency could do wonders for his overall development. And it would not be a surprise whatsoever to see Gross-Matos make a substantial impact during his first few months as a professional player.