49ers sign former Panthers edge rusher to 2-year deal [report]

The 49ers are going after the NFL's defensive end middle class. After reportedly adding Leonard Floyd to a two-year, $20 million deal, San Francisco doubled down, signing former Panthers edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

While Gross-Matos is not a household name, part of that can be owed to the fact that he's spent his entire career on the Carolina Panthers, who went 2-15 last season. The other part of that is his limited production.

The Penn State product was taken 38th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, and has had limited production playing alongside star edge rusher Brian Burns. He had a career-high 4.5 sacks in 12 games last season, starting half. P ro Football Focus gave him a 65.4 grade last year, which ranks him 66th out of 122 edge players.

He has a notable, but not damning injury history, having missed 12 games, playing 55 out of a possible 67 over four seasons.

Gross-Matos profiles as more of an early-down player than Floyd, who is likelier to slot into a third-down pass rusher role. Both qualify as solid, rotational pieces.

One thing the 49ers were in clear need of was bodies on the edge, with Chase Young, Clelin Ferrell and Randy Gregory all free agents. Drake Jackson and Robert Beal Jr. are the only two notable edge players the 49ers had rostered besides Nick Bosa.

This sets up a route for the 49ers to focus on other areas in the draft, perhaps on the offensive line with a strong tackle class, corner, or even defensive tackle, having released Arik Armstead.