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Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State
Height: 6-5
Weight: 266
Player Profile
Strengths:
Gross-Matos broke out as a sophomore for the Nittany Lions and was able to carry over that success into his 2019 campaign. He posted 17.0 sacks over the last two seasons and is widely regarded as one of the most prolific pass rushers in this class.
Gross-Matos has terrific size for the position. His combine measurements came in at 6-5, 266 pounds with 34 7/8” arms. He has the frame that one would describe as a height, weight and length prospect. It’s his length however that routinely pops on tape. He has vines for arms and plays with terrific extension on a snap-by-snap basis.
As a pass rusher, he’s able to eat up a lot of grass with his initial step off the ball. A lot of his “wins” occur from either the ground he’s able to cover immediately off the ball or the aforementioned length that gave opposing offensive tackles fits. Penn State moved him all over their defensive line and were rewarded with good, consistent results. He was just as good rushing from the inside as he was the outside.
Another thing that really stands out about Gross-Matos is his motor. His engine is always revving and he never takes a play off. In fact, when his athletic tools don’t lead him to making a play on the ball or in the backfield, his effort and attitude often did. You love to see that kind of pedigree.
In the run game, Gross-Matos does a good job using his size and power to knife through gaps and set the edge on a relatively consistent basis. The length means he has a huge tackle radius which has allowed him to make some great plays in the run game outside of his frame.
Weaknesses:
He’s still putting it all together. As a pass rusher, he struggles with his counters when his length, snap anticipation or power don’t immediately work for him. He simply needs to develop a larger array of counters and the mindset of when and when not to use them. Developing a rush plan would go a long way for him at the next level. He’s a good, not great athlete. The speed and ability to bend the corner won’t be described as elite. He has the size and power to be a good run defender at the next level, but the processing skills aren’t totally up to speed. There are times on tape where he just doesn’t see something and it lead to chunk plays right up his gap. He’s not a player that should be utilized in space at the next level. There are some off-the-field issues that need to be checked and followed up on.
Does he fit the Titans?
Gross-Matos would serve as an intriguing option for the Titans at 29th overall if he’s still available. He has the skill-set that could be a nice compliment to Harold Landry on the other side. The Titans love front multiplicity and Gross-Matos has the tools to be deployed in their unique and complex defense. He can rush from the inside or the outside with great success. Gross-Matos has the overall size and balanced skill-set to make a large impact at the next level.