Could the Jacksonville Jaguars draft DE Yetur Gross-Matos?

Will the Jacksonville Jaguars seek a defensive end early in the NFL Draft and if so, will the front office take a long took at Yetur Gross-Matos of Penn State?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have many roster needs but defensive end is more critical with the loss of Calais Campbell and the potential loss of Yannick Ngakoue.

If you spend some time looking at potential defensive ends, you will discover there is a serious drop off after top-rated Chase Young of Ohio State. Many of the other prospects have had injuries or have talent gaps. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars need to draft one and preferably as one of our three picks following our first pick, ninth overall in the first round.

The Jaguars may have a winner if they draft Yetur Gross-Matos from Penn State. Gross-Matos is rated as one of the top defensive end prospects in this year’s draft.

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Gross-Matos is 6’ 5” and weighs 265 pounds. At age 22, he has room to increase his weight if needed. He is classified as an edge rusher. He played in all 13 games as a true freshman at Penn State and continued to shine in his sophomore year. During his junior year, he played in a variety of positions including nose tackle.

Moving around so much may have his statistics but he still managed to have 40 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, and 9.5 sacks. He played in three major bowl games and the Big Ten so he is used to tough competition. He was a third-team All-Big 10, First Team All-Big Ten, and Penn State Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore. His Combine performance was labeled unimpressive by more than one writer.

He attained a grade of 6.50 indicating a boom or bust draft choice. Honestly, I think he will be a big-time player on the next level due to his college play.

Lance Zierlien of NFL.com believes he is a player who hasn’t yet played his best football.

"“Ascending 4-3 defensive end who should go from good size to imposing frame as he fills out his power-forward body type,” he writes. “He isn’t overly twitchy but impressive length, fluidity and short-area athleticism allow him consistent work-arounds against opposing blockers. He’s average at the point of attack by NFL standards, but that should change with additional strength work and more efficient hand usage.”"

Gross-Matos’ life off the football field may have helped to shape the type of player he has become on it. He has faced some difficult times in his life. His father was drowned trying to save Gross-Matos’ two-year-old brother and this brother was struck by lightning and killed nine years later. He feels that these tragedies have been his motivation.

The Jacksonville Jaguars may come to camp with only Josh Allen back as a legit threat to rush the passer. The team added a few puzzle pieces in free agency, but someone like Gross-Matos could help solidify the other side of the defensive line.

He is rated as a good run blocker and an evolving pass rusher. He played most of his career on the right side of the line which is perfect for the Jaguars. This would put him at the position currently played by Ngakoue and on the other side of Allen. He has the size, work ethic, and athleticism to be a success in the NFL.

Based on his work ethic and his ability that is still developing, he is going to be a good player in the NFL. The Jacksonville Jaguars may look to add him to their roster with the hopes he continues to develop and becomes an even more dominant end on the next level.

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