5 Carolina Panthers who could be shopped before the 2021 trade deadline
By Dean Jones
Yetur Gross-Matos – Carolina Panthers DE
It’s been a frustrating start to life in the NFL for Yetur Gross-Matos overall. The defensive end has dealt with some injury problems since arriving as a second-round pick, but there’s a lot to like from a talent perspective where the former Penn State star is concerned.
With that being said, if a team looking for pass-rushing help come in with an offer that would make the Carolina Panthers sit up and take notice, it’s something they would probably consider.
Gross-Matos has been used primarily as a rotational player on a stacked defensive front. If the Panthers decide to give Haason Reddick a long-term deal he’s no doubt deserving of next spring, then this is a role the player will continue in thanks to the presence of Brian Burns.
Considering Gross-Matos’ age, contract situation, and upside, there should be more than a couple of suitors for anyone looking for assistance on their defensive front. Something that could see the Panthers get a Day 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft that they don’t currently possess thanks to the Sam Darnold and C.J. Henderson trades.
It’s a little too soon to write Gross-Matos off entirely. But the Panthers aren’t going anywhere fast and appear some way of becoming a playoff challenger based on what we’ve seen over the last five weeks.
Hitting the reset button won’t be too far away. Trading Gross-Matos would be a surprise, even though it makes some sense if an enticing offer comes along.