5 players the Panthers missed most at the Saints in Week 7
By Dean Jones
DE. YETURGROSS-MATOS. 3. player. 87. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Yetur Gross-Matos – Carolina Panthers DE
Brian Burns is a phenomenon and the defensive lynchpin of the Carolina Panthers. But getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks isn’t a one-man job.
The longer others cannot produce the goods, then the tough it’s going to be for Carolina’s young defense to progress. Stephen Weatherly is still searching for his first sack after seven games and there is plenty of calls for second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos to finally fill a prominent starting role once he returns from injury.
It’s been a frustrating start to Gross-Matos’ professional career. The former Penn State sensation came on a significant amount in the two games leading up to his high ankle sprain, which is set to keep him out for at least the next two contests.
Gross-Matos provides the Panthers with something a bit different. This would have kept Drew Brees honest at the Saints and someone else needs to bring the heat until the edge rusher is ready for a return.
Whether the free-agent arrival from the Minnesota Vikings is capable of this is up for debate. Weatherly is seeing his involvement diminish with every passing week and he might just be a possible trade candidate before the 2020 deadline for a team looking for help on their defensive front rotation.