3 Panthers whose stock crashed beyond repair in Week 15 vs. Steelers

Yetur Gross-Matos – Carolina Panthers DE

Cornerbacks can only do so much when a steady pass rush is nonexistent. If the Carolina Panthers have a need almost as big as the quarterback spot, it would be another edge presence opposite Brian Burns.

The Panthers had this in Haason Reddick last season. But those in power failed to re-sign and replace the standout pass rusher who has thrived with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Since the start of 2020, Reddick ranks No. 2 in sacks and has the most forced fumbles in the entire NFL. And the Panthers let him walk in hopes Yetur Gross-Matos would step up.

Unfortunately, Gross-Matos has been the biggest disappointment of all starters on the Panthers’ young defense, with only 1.5 sacks and eight total pressures coming off the edge. In Week 15, the former Penn State Nittany Lion recorded no sacks, no tackles for loss, no quarterback hits, and no pressures on 57 defensive snaps played.

To make matters worse, Gross-Matos hasn’t recorded a pressure since Week 12.

With all the attention going to Burns and Derrick Brown, Gross-Matos has given the Panthers no reason whatsoever to believe in his play beyond 2022. Year 3 is an extremely important one for any player looking to have a career in the NFL and if the second-round pick in 2020 doesn’t turn it around soon, he could find himself off of the team and potentially out of the league sooner or later.

Gross-Matos will attempt to bounce back against the Detroit Lions in Week 16, who boast one of the premier offenses in the NFL. Whether he can do that against Penei Sewell is highly doubtful.