getting to quarterbacks hasn’t been a problem for a Baltimore Ravens defense leading the NFL with 47 sacks this season. Yet, there’s always room for more, so why not sign veteran defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis, who has 25.5 sacks to his credit?
The 29-year-old free agent was identified by Bleacher Report as somebody the Ravens should add now.
Ioannidis can help the Ravens because “they are a little thin on the interior of the defense. Broderick Washington was a healthy scratch just last week. Michael Pierce and Justin Madubuike are having strong seasons, but Matt Ioannidis would beef up the group a little bit. The veteran defensive tackle started 13 games for the Panthers last season.”
A well-stocked defensive line could use some more oomph in the middle. Something Ioannidis provided during six seasons in Washington and one with the Carolina Panthers.
The Ravens aren’t lacking talent at defensive tackle. Not when Justin Madubuike is enjoying a career year, but stacking talent on top of talent at the heart of the front seven would still be a smart move.
Matt Ioannidis Fits as a Situational Pass-Rusher for Ravens
Rushing the passer has been Ioannidis’ forte ever since he entered the pros as a fifth-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He soon played his way into an active role in the rotation for Washington.
Ioannidis logged a career-high 8.5 sacks and 35 pressures in 2018, per Pro Football Reference. That was as good as it’s got statistically for Ioannidis, who was eventually lost in the shuffle of Washington’s multiple first-round picks up front.
Being relegated to a situational brief didn’t stop him putting heat on passers. Like when Ioannidis narrowly missed scoring a safety against the New Orleans Saints in 2021, on a rush highlighted by analyst Mark Bullock.
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