Matt Ioannidis, Temple DT: 2016 NFL Draft Profile

Matt Ioannidis

College: Temple

Position: Defensive Tackle

Height/Weight: 6-3/299

College Stats: 115 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two fumble recoveries.

A New Jersey native, Ioannidis is one of the star defensive players that completely turned around a dreadful Temple program. The original plan was to redshirt him as a freshman, but Ioannidis proved to be too difficult to keep out of the lineup. He stepped in against Rutgers and played well as a true freshman pushed into service.

After an offseason with the program, Ioannidis stepped in and led all defensive linemen for the Owls in tackles during his sophomore and junior seasons. His final two years with the program were very successful with a combined 86 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks at defensive tackle. More than anything, he helped hold the line of scrimmage so that the talented Temple linebacker corps could make tackles.

Pros:

I hate to resort to cliches, but Ioannidis has a non-stop motor that allows him the ability to play any position on the defensive line effectively. He has the ability to line up in the middle and push the pocket back. Ioannidis is a technician in the trenches, using his hands and leg drive to attack the line of scrimmage.

Ioannidis is like a coach on the field, making the other players on the defensive line better just by watching how he plays. He is able to hold his own in one-on-one blocking situations, allowing linebackers to make the play off his back. With Ioannidis in the game, a coach never has to worry about that part of the line losing battles.

Cons:

Ioannidis is not particularly gifted athletically and can struggle versus offensive linemen that have high athletic skill. He has an ability to push the pocket, but does not have the killer instinct to finish off rushes.

The inability to fly off the line of scrimmage forces him to rely upon his strength a majority of the time. He must prove that he can add a move or two to his rush repertoire unless he wants to be a run game only defensive tackle.

Where will Ioannidis be drafted?

A big defensive tackle with strength off the charts, Ioannidis is the perfect fit for a team that wants a tackle that will eat blocks. Though he can play in a 4-3 defense, his best bet to get playing time is in a 3-4. He can step in an play nose or play either defensive end position and give the linebackers room to roam and make plays.

My prediction is the Chiefs in the fourth round with the #126 pick.