The San Francisco 49ers are signing Carolina Panthers free-agent defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos on Monday to a two-year deal worth $18 million, according to a source. In addition to Gross-Matos, the Niners added pass-rusher Leonard Floyd to their defensive line in free agency on Monday to try and give some much-needed pass-rushing help to All-Pro Nick Bosa. Gross-Matos, a former second-round pick by the Panthers in 2020 out of Penn State, had a career-high 4.5 sacks in 12 games (six starts) in Carolina in 2023 and a total of just 13 sacks in his first four seasons in the NFL, so he's not going to be on the IDP fantasy radar in San Francisco. Gross-Matos is known as more of a strong run defender, and he'll most likely be a rotational player in San Fran.
Carolina Panthers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos is making the move from defensive end to outside linebacker in 2023 in new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's 3-4 base defense. In 17 games at defensive end in 2022, Gross-Matos had a career-high 54 tackles and also had an NFL-leading four fumble recoveries. The former second-rounder has 106 tackles, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 43 games over three years for the Panthers. His new role will have him dropping into coverage and reading formations more often, which could limit his tackling opportunities near the line of scrimmage. In his new position in his fourth NFL season, Gross-Matos will start opposite Brian Burns.
Carolina Panthers rookie defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (ankle) has been designated to return from Injured Reserve. Gross-Matos has been out the last three games with a high-ankle sprain, and he now has a 21-day window to practice before he must be activated to the 53-man roster. The second-round pick out of Penn State played in four games before going on IR, recording four solo tackles, one QB hit, one forced fumble and one sack for Carolina. The Panthers Defense could surely use all the help they can get on the defensive line moving forward, as they rank 29th in the NFL with eight sacks. They're 26th in the league in overall fantasy points as well, so you should be avoiding them in Week 9 against the defending Super Bowl champions.
Panthers Select Yetur Gross-Matos With No. 38 Selection
The Carolina Panthers have selected Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos with the No. 38 pick. He has spent each of the last three seasons at Penn State collecting 18.5 sacks over his college career. Gross-Matos adds incredible size, length, and strength at the defensive end position. During the 2019 season he recorded 40 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks through 11 games. Gross-Matos is someone that could slide right into a starting role on the Panthers in 2020. He is an immediate impact player that should help the Carolina defense.
Yetur Gross-Matos
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49ers
