CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers selected Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos with the No. 38th overall pick Friday in the 2020 NFL draft.
Gross-Matos gives the Panthers an extra presence on the edge and both of the Panthers’ first selections have now been on the defensive side of the ball. It is also Matt Rhule’s first selection from his alma mater. Many predicted Carolina would go after a cornerback with their second pick, but it elected to continue to improve up front.
Carolina’s biggest needs entering the draft were defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback, offensive guard and safety. The Panthers took Auburn’s Derrick Brown, an All-American defensive tackle, in the first round.
After selecting Gross-Matos the Panthers have six remaining picks in this year’s draft: 69th overall (third round), 113th (fourth), 148 (fifth), 152 (fifth), 184th (sixth) and 221 (seventh).
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