5 burning questions facing the Carolina Panthers DL in 2021
By Dean Jones
How will the Carolina Panthers use Yetur Gross-Matos?
The flashes displayed by Yetur Gross-Matos during his rookie season were pleasing. Although injury and a spell on the COVID-19 list restricted his impact, there was enough to suggest he could forge out a really successful career with the Carolina Panthers.
Front office personnel didn’t sit on their hands in the pursuit of bolstering their defense this offseason. Gross-Matos remains a big part of their plans, even though it’ll probably be from a rotational role initially.
Versatility is a key component when it comes to Carolina’s defensive scheme. Phil Snow has a large number of players that can operate in multiple positions, so expect to see plenty of switching to keep opposing offenses guessing depending on the situation.
Gross-Matos is one example of this.
Using the Penn State product flying off the edge is where he’s best suited. But don’t rule out the prospect of him coming in as a three-technique on the interior in obvious pass-rushing situations.
This is certainly something to keep an eye on where Gross-Matos is concerned. His strength, physical frame, and explosiveness could cause some significant problems at the three-tech, but much will also depend on where outside linebacker Haason Reddick and Morgan Fox are lining up on any given down.
Still, it’s a nice option to have regardless of whether Snow decides to use it or not.