5 Carolina Panthers on the hot seat following 2022 NFL Draft

Yetur Gross-Matos – Carolina Panthers DL

The Carolina Panthers did pick up a development project for their defensive front in Amare Barno and they do have plenty of cap space to bolster this area of the field should they wish. However, all signs point to Yetur Gross-Matos getting a substantial role in the team’s defensive game plan in 2022.

Gross-Matos demonstrated flashes of what he is capable of in Year 2 of his professional career. The former Penn State standout proved to be a solid presence on the edge and rushing from the three-technique on the interior – something that could mean a true breakout campaign is in the offing next time around.

With six sacks, seven tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, and 19 pressures over his two seasons in the league, it’s not hard to see why the Panthers are so confident in Gross-Matos making the necessary improvements from a starting role.

Whether he can do this is another matter. So next season will likely be an audition for the 2020 second-round pick in pursuit of becoming an integral part of Carolina’s long-term plans.

If Gross-Matos cannot make the most out of what appears to be an outstanding opportunity for stardom, then it might force the Panthers to look at alternative options and relegate the player to a rotational piece.