The San Francisco 49ers have prioritized a dominant pass rush during the franchise’s recent run of success, but general manager John Lynch might have overpaid during NFL free agency this offseason for former Carolina Panther Yetur Gross-Matos.
Gross-Matos, 26, signed a two-year deal worth $18 million to potentially slide into a starting role opposite Nick Bosa along the 49ers’ front seven.
But, Pro Football Focus lists Gross-Matos’ contract as one of the bigger overpays of free agency, so far.
“Gross-Matos is a former second-round draft pick who is just 26 years old,” Gordon McGuinness writes for PFF. “So it’s understandable that a team would think there is still some development to come from him. That being said, his career year in 2023 saw him earn a 65.4 overall grade and a 65.2 pass-rush grade, neither of which ranked among the top 50 edge defenders last season.
What Yetur Gross-Matos Brings San Francisco 49ers
While Gross-Matos has never quite lived up to his second-round pedigree, it’s easy to envision a change of scenery and arriving in one of the more consistently dominant defensive lines bringing out the best in the former Penn State standout.
Gross-Matos arrives in the Bay Area with just 13 sacks. But, as PFF points out, the fourth-year edge rusher added 19 pressures in 2023.
Now joining a loaded roster with one of the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl next February, Gross-Matos could push Leonard Floyd for a starting job opposite Bosa while also adding quality and experienced depth in the front seven.
What is the 49ers’ Biggest Remaining Need?
Despite a talented roster on both sides of the football, the San Francisco 49ers’ work might not be done this offseason.
Following the barrage of pressure from the Kansas City Chiefs, late in the Super Bowl loss, Lynch and the Niners may need to upgrade the offensive line in front of Brock Purdy.
“Offensive line,” Nick Wagoner writes, revealing the 49ers’ biggest remaining need . “A case could be made for any spot on the line, but the Niners have yet to make a significant outside addition to the front five. A tackle who can push to start on the right side and eventually replace Trent Williams on the left would be ideal, but regardless, this group needs a meaningful upgrade in the short and long term.”
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