2020 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round targets
By Ian Higgins
Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn St
Scouting report found here
If not for the rise of Heisman winner Joe Burrow, Yetur Gross-Matos could very easily have been the most unexpected riser of the 2020 NFL draft. Only a Junior at Penn State, Matos tallied 9.5 sacks and 24 solo tackles while showing off a versatile, power-focused pass-rushing repertoire as a hybrid defensive end.
Matos measures in at 6’5″, 264 lbs, possessing both the reach and explosiveness to beat linemen at the snap. He has a great understanding of leverage and is able to manipulate both the momentum and weight-distribution of tackles to throw them off balance with power-rush moves.
A unique aspect of Matos’ game has been his ability to use different speeds when approaching his opposition on the edge. Similarly to a wide receiver setting up his break, Matos is able to slow down and pick up speed on a dime to get opposing tackles backpedaling or ‘stuck in the mud’ with ease. This technique is not widely used, but very effective against tackles who aren’t able to make the reach blocks stick before Matos’ move.
With the imminent departure of Shaquill Barrett in pursuit of a max contract elsewhere, Tampa Bay needs to find a new presence on the edge to hopefully replace some of Barrett’s production. The interior presence of Vita Vea, and hopefully other veteran acquisitions can help cover the shortage of production between Barrett & Matos.