Sometimes connections between players from the past and present are hard to find. But there are plenty of connections between former Panthers defensive end Mike Rucker and rookie defensive linemen Derrick Brown and Yetur Gross-Matos.
The similarities between Rucker and Gross-Matos as draftees are particularly striking.
Rucker was the Panthers' 38th overall pick in the second round back in 1999, a defensive end listed at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds out of Nebraska.
Twenty years later, Gross-Matos was also selected at No. 38 overall, a defensive end listed at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds out of Penn State.
And for good measure, Gross-Matos' birthday is Feb. 26. Rucker was born on Feb. 28.
"It is kind of weird because when you've been drafted, you know what round you were in and exactly what pick," Rucker said. "So any time the team you played for takes somebody that kind of has the same makeup as you and they're drafted at the same spot, it jumps out to you."
Given that Rucker's career started in 1999 and Gross-Matos was born in 1998, the rookie doesn't have many memories of Rucker's playing days. But Gross-Matos is familiar with Rucker's career and was intrigued by the similarities when they were pointed out to him.
"I didn't know that we were drafted in the same spot — that's kind of wild," Gross-Matos said. "But I know he was a beast on the field, so those are big shoes to fill."
And Rucker, who ranks third on the Panthers' all-time sack list with 55.5 over a nine-year career, is intrigued by what he's seen from Gross-Matos.
"When I watched his highlights, I saw he gets on the edge. He uses his speed, which is always great," Rucker said. "But one thing that stood out to me is when he goes down and plays over the guard. A lot of times when you're 260, 265 (pounds), that's big guy territory. But being asked to do that and being able to do it well is good.
"He takes the inside, and he beats the guy between the center and the guard. You don't see that a lot because guys can get pushed around. But he uses the space, and he uses his speed."
While Rucker and Gross-Matos haven't spent much time together, Rucker did get to know Brown a bit during the pre-draft process. As a member of the NFL's Legends community, Rucker was at the NFL Combine in February to help mentor the league's incoming rookie class. The two even went to dinner one night as part of a small group that included Hall of Fame defensive end John Randle in Indianapolis.
"Obviously, those guys have been where I want to be," Brown said. "They've been where I am now, they've built to where they are now, and at the end of my career, that's where I hope to be. So I look up to them. It's something where I try to feed off of everything that they say and try to incorporate that into how I want to make my journey."
For his part, Rucker was impressed by Brown's curiosity and willingness to engage and listen.
"There's been times in the past you'll see a guy will be a top pick, and he's still going to be standoffish, and he's going do his thing. But Derrick was asking questions. He was engaging, he opened up, and he made himself vulnerable in those conversations," Rucker recalled. "If you're willing to ask questions and to learn and to add to your toolbox, that's gonna bode well for you."
As a fellow defensive lineman with both direct and indirect ties to Brown and Gross-Matos, Rucker is clearly looking forward to seeing how the duo develops. And, as always, he's willing to be a mentor and a resource to help them follow in the burgeoning tradition of strong Panthers' defensive linemen.
"You get good guys, and they're willing to pass that knowledge and be accessible to that next generation — to me, that's what it's about," Rucker said. "Everybody wins."
View photos of Carolina's first-round pick, Derrick Brown, out of Auburn.
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Minnesota Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell (95) and Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Derrick Brown Music City Bowl Purdue vs Auburn on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018 in Nashville, TN. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn football vs Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, AK. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Minnesota Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) during the second half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Minnesota Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, Auburn defender Derrick Brown (5) plays against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, in Fayetteville, Ark. Brown was selected to The Associated Press All-America team, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) reacts after a stop against Georgia during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) waits for a play to start against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) waits for a play to start against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Auburn defensive end Derrick Brown warms up before playing Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas quarterback Ben Hicks tries to get away from Auburn defender Derrick Brown as he scrambles out of the pocket during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown puts pressure on Arkansas quarterback Ben Hicks during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) stops Alabama State running back Tallesin Farmer (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) looks on before playing Oregon in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. Auburn won 27-21. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tulane running back Corey Dauphine (6) carries the ball as Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) closes in during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2017, file photo, Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) is tackled by Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Clemson, S.C. A team that averaged 40 points a game last season managed just two touchdowns at home last week. Quarterback Kelly Bryant understands that must improve this week facing potent No. 14 Louisville and Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn vs Ole Miss football on Saturday, Nov 2, 2019 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn vs Ole Miss football on Saturday, Nov 2, 2019 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst
Derrick Brown (5) makes a tackle in the first half. Auburn football at Florida on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Gainesville, FL Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown Auburn football at Florida on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Gainesville, FL Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn Football at LSU on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Baton Rouge, LA Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Auburn's Derrick Brown gets a soack in the first half. Auburn vs Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in College Station, TX. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown (5) and Marlon Davidson (3) on the sidelines together. Auburn Football at LSU on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Baton Rouge, LA Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
