4 unproven Panthers players the team might rely on in 2021
By Dean Jones
Yetur Gross-Matos – Carolina Panthers DE
There was plenty to like about the way Yetur Gross-Matos applied himself during his rookie campaign. The defensive end showed flashes of brilliance rushing off the edge despite suffering some injury problems, with a spell on the reserve/COVID-19 list also doing him no favors whatsoever in terms of playing time.
Gross-Matos needs another strong offseason of development ahead of his sophomore season. But there is nothing to suggest he isn’t capable of being a more prominent member of the roster in 2021.
The Carolina Panthers reinforced their pass-rushing options with the signings of Morgan Fox and Haason Reddick on team-friendly deals. Linebacker Denzel Perryman arriving from the Los Angeles Chargers is another big boost to the front seven that should make this unit a force to be reckoned with next time around.
One thing is for sure, the Penn State product will get plenty of space to work in with so many other dominant players around him.
Gross-Matos needs to hit the ground running and avoid the injury problems that blighted his first year in a professional environment. But what comes next will be down to the player and how he copes with more responsibility on his shoulders.