Yetur Gross-Matos Overview
Position: Defensive end/Outside linebacker
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 266 pounds
School: Penn State Nittany Lions
NFL Combine Performance Data
Bench Press: 20 reps
Vertical Jump: 34.0″
Broad Jump: 120.0″
Yetur Gross-Matos 2020 NFL Draft Profile
This 2020 NFL Draft is full of elite collegiate edge rushers who will make a great transition to the NFL. All the pass rushers have a very distinguished set of attributes that make them elite. For Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos, he is an impressive combination of all major skill sets and traits that coaches look for. Gross-Matos is a player that overcame a lot in his life and collegiate career to get to where he is now. At Penn State he immediately made an impact in his freshman year when he played in 10 games. In those 10 games as a reserve, he accounted for 17 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Gross-Matos became a starter in his sophomore year in the 2018 season and he accounted for 54 total tackles, 36 solo tackles, 20 tackles for loss, eight sacks, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble.
In his last season with Penn State, he accounted for 40 total tackles, 23 solo tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. Gross-Matos accumulated 111 total tackles, 64 solo tackles, 36.5 tackles for loss, and 18.5 sacks in 34 career games with the Nittany Lions. He was ultimately selected as a two-time first-team All-Big Ten in 2018 and 2019. Gross-Matos was a player who was recognized as a high-motor pass rusher that constantly lived in the backfield. Measuring in at 6’5 tall and weighing 266 pounds he is a huge edge rusher that NFL teams would love to have. He also has a huge arm length at 34 7/8. He has great characteristics that will cause a team to select him, but he is also a gamble. He is considered a boom or bust prospect for an NFL organization because he lacks the flashy attributes that most other pass rushers possess.
Strengths
- He possesses a high motor that makes it difficult for opposing offensive linemen to slow him down
- Prototypical size and athleticism as an edge rusher
- Great use of hands to push the lineman’s hands off him
- Hip flexibility to come off the edge and can turn out efficiently
- Can make efficient breakdowns of opponent’s plays
- Builds good momentum as he continues in his pass rush
- Athletic enough to be an outside linebacker at the next level
- Has a well-balanced combination of speed and power
- Gets great inside penetration on inside pressures
Weaknesses
- Not very fast or explosive off the ball
- Below average punching ability in terms of power and timing
- Will need to get better at containing the edge
- Lacks distinctive movement in hips when getting low; prefers high movement
- Doesn’t possess the ability to push the linemen on the first hit
- Tends to allow blocks to get to his chest
- Needs to do a better job of locating the ball on run plays
- Needs more urgency and violent reaction against power and speed blocks
Comparison: T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Teams With Need at Position: Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projection: middle to bottom of the first round
Bottom line
Gross-Matos is a player who has the potential to be a consistent play maker in the league. His characteristics and attributes are raw but they can be developed further in the NFL. His mechanics as a pass rusher are great but lack dominance in either speed or power. It will be easier for NFL caliber offensive linemen to stop his moves as he tries to get to the quarterback. He is much like T.J. Watt early in his NFL career in that respect. His versatility as a pass rusher and run stopper in a two-point or three-point stance will be something prospective NFL teams with need will like.
Look for a team that has already has a main pass rusher to take a chance on Gross-Matos in the 2020 NFL Draft. This could be a similar scenario to when the New Orleans Saints traded up to get defensive end Marcus Davenport in the 2018 NFL Draft even though they already had Cameron Jordan. If Gross-Matos is developed efficiently in the NFL, he will be a key piece in multiple formations on defense.
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