4 bold predictions for Carolina Panthers mandatory minicamp in 2022
By Dean Jones
Matt Ioannidis – Carolina Panthers DT
- Free-agent signing emerges as key figure.
One of the more underrated arrivals to the Carolina Panthers this offseason was Matt Ioannidis. The defensive lineman was snapped up quickly by his former college coach Matt Rhule following his release by the Washington Commanders and is set to become Derrick Brown’s partner on the interior if everything goes smoothly in a different environment.
Losing DaQuan Jones meant the Panthers had a huge hole to fill on the defensive front. Ioannidis has some outstanding qualities to call upon and has the versatility to occupy almost any position across the line of scrimmage – a trait that Carolina values highly in their new recruits.
Ioannidis has regressed since attaining 8.5 sacks in 2019. But a lot of this can be attributed to the arrival of Chase Young and the emergence of first-round picks such as Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat to make opportunities limited.
Returning to a system in which he thrived at Temple is something that can galvanize Ioannidis to the form of old. Having a space-eater alongside him on the interior in Brown and a stud edge rusher in Brian Burns will also assist greatly.
The former fifth-round pick will be looking to make his presence felt early. So expect him to emerge as one of the team’s top performers in mandatory minicamp.