Panthers depth chart focus: Are DTs ready to take the next step?
By Jason Huber
![(Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports) Derrick Brown (Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports) Derrick Brown](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcatcrave-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F16975375-850x560-35bc06ae1d5953adeba8c7a8c27ae1716ed881f9b5e3413ec9e95ba547e3f96f.jpg)
Matt Ioannidis – Carolina Panthers DT
As mentioned earlier, the defensive tackle spot has been a rotating door next to Derrick Brown since Kawann Short left.
Last season, the addition of DaQuan Jones did not go as planned, which also caused Brown to struggle during his sophomore season at times. Although his run-stopping was much-improved and overlooked.
The Carolina Panthers are hoping the addition of Matt Ioannidis, who was released by the Washington Commanders this offseason, can help put Brown and the defense get back on track.
Ioannidis will be the oldest defensive tackle on the roster and is just entering his seventh year in the league. Throughout his time in Washington, the player showed plenty of consistency, which included back-to-back seasons of more than seven sacks in 2018-19.
Things tailed off slightly in 2021. But that is largely down to the significant number of first-round talent on Washington’s defensive front, which left Ioannidis on the outside looking in.
Ioannidis has familiarity with head coach Matt Rhule thanks to their time together at Temple. Even though the past few seasons haven’t been his best, this new opportunity should allow the lineman to take on a different role.