2020 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the Top 10 EDGE defenders

As one of the biggest risers in the 2020 NFL draft, Penn State standout Yetur Gross-Matos has become a clear top-3 player in his position group. Matos has been producing at an effective rate while being played out of position at Penn State, rushing from the three-technique more than his natural five-technique position. There is a reason for Matos’ coaching staff to do this though, as he is a through and through power-rusher who uses his strength to win the leverage battle.

Matos does not have the same speed as Young, but he is able to combine his strength and technique to throw opposing tackles off-balance and create open rushing lanes to the quarterback. With this additional size & strength, Matos is also capable of standing up against the run and sealing edges with his positioning.

At Penn State, Matos has played more like an undersized three-technique than a true edge rusher, but that has not stopped his production with 9.5 sacks on the season. When Matos has had his chances to move to the edge, he has not disappointed and made the impression of being the second edge rusher close behind Chase Young.

The ability to match-up with strong tackles directly out of college as a pass-rusher is valuable for a rookie and should make Matos a day one contributor on his new team.