Penn State football’s Yetur Gross-Matos appears in 2020 Mock Draft
Penn State football’s Yetur Gross-Matos is already getting some first-round buzz in a brand new 2020 mock draft.
Look out, folks. The mock draft season has already begun on the interwebs. We know the 2019 NCAA season hasn’t already taken place yet, but that won’t stop media publications from discussing potential picks that are set to take place at the 2020 NFL Draft roughly seven months from now.
Pro Football Focus is the latest to put together a simple first-round mock draft scenario this week. Although there is still plenty of time for the next draft to re-shape itself based on the 2019 college season, it is pretty clear to assume which NCAA standouts could potentially be first-round picks when next April rolls around.
To no surprise, the Penn State football program has a consensus first-rounder on board. Junior defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos has created quite the buzz for himself last season. While he was partnered up with quite a strong and productive defensive line, the young underclassman at the time made it his duty to stand out. And so he did.
With Pick No. 25, the Oakland Raiders select Yetur Gross-Matos
"“The Raiders address pass-rush once again because you can never have too many. Gross-Matos is still a project though heading into his junior year. The Penn State edge rusher managed only 25 pressures on 315 pass-rushes last season.”"
In 13 games, Gross-Matos notched 54 total tackles. Not bad for a defensive end. However, his tackle total isn’t what impressed everybody the most. And neither were his eight total sacks. Instead, Gross-Matos’ ability to collect 20 tackles for a loss was ridiculously impressive.
The pressure is on for Gross-Matos to dominate in Happy Valley once again, and his coaching staff believes another breakout season is inevitable. With all of the hype he’s garnering within Happy Valley during the offseason, the major media publications are taking notice and inserting him in as a potential first-round pick for next spring.
Next. Justin Shorter needs to overcome pressure. dark
While PFF considers Gross-Matos a project in the making based off of his lack of pressures, his production in stopping the rush is already wildly impressive. If he can improve his game in all other areas in 2019, then there could be a good chance Gross-Matos starts seeing himself getting mocked much higher than the 25th pick.