Panthers training camp: 4 rookies with a chip on their shoulder

Carolina Panthers rookie No. 1: Yetur Gross-Matos (EDGE)

Yetur Gross-Matos ended the evaluation process with a mid-first round grade. The former Penn State rusher has all the tools one is looking for in a prolific presence at the next level. So it was something of a surprise to see him fall out of the top-32 picks.

The Carolina Panthers wasted no time in picking Gross-Matos No. 38 overall. And general manager Marty Hurney revealed that the organization even considered moving back into the first round to acquire the player.

More from Cat Crave

• Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
• 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
• Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
• How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
• 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

As luck would have it, Gross-Matos fell into their laps in the second. But this is something that would have stung after such a high projection going in.

There were plenty of rumors as to why the edge player fell out of the first round. This is a moot point now. And it will be up to Gross-Matos to reach his enormously high ceiling and make every NFL team that passed on him regret their decision.

His physical attributes are there for all to see. Gross-Matos is incredibly explosive off the block. And if he can add more pass-rushing moves to his repertoire, then the Panthers are going to have some player on their hands.

Gross-Matos ended his college career with some phenomenal stats. His three-year stint with the Nittany Lions saw the player record 18.5 sacks, 111 combined tackles, 64 solo tackles, two forced fumbles, and 36.5 tackles for loss. If he can get into the backfield and make anything like this sort of impression at the next level. The rookie is going to end up being an absolute steal.