4 best kept secrets on the Carolina Panthers roster in 2021
By Dean Jones
Yetur Gross-Matos – Carolina Panthers DE
The Carolina Panthers got a small glimpse of what Yetur Gross-Matos can do during his rookie season. Despite struggling with injury, concussion, and a spell on the COVID-19 list, the Penn State product still produced some memorable moments that leave plenty of reasons to be encouraged about his chances moving forward.
Carolina made some notable additions to their defensive front during the offseason. The likes of Haason Reddick, Morgan Fox, DaQuan Jones, and Daviyon Nixon should all make contributions in 2021 and possibly beyond, so Gross-Matos needs to make the necessary adjustments throughout OTAs and training camp to achieve more during his sophomore campaign.
Hopefully, for the player and the Panthers, Gross-Matos can have more luck when it comes to staying healthy and improve enough to become an integral part of the rotation.
There is nothing to suggest he isn’t capable of this.
The edge rusher is explosive, powerful, and more than held his own against bigger offensive linemen at the next level despite concerns to the contrary during his draft evaluation process.
Having so much talent around him should also allow Gross-Matos a little more space to work with when he is on the field. This could make all the difference and if opposing protection schemes aren’t ready, they are going to pay the price.
Gross-Matos is expected to make a significant leap in his second season. What comes next will determine just what the Panthers can expect from the player long-term.