Raiders Free Agent Targets: Matt Ioannidis

As the Las Vegas Raiders continue to search for free agents to improve the roster, one area they know needs to improve is their defense, specifically the defensive line.

They can stand to improve their edge rusher depth, as they are thin behind Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones. But the area of the defensive line that they need to improve most is the interior. They were one of the worst teams in the NFL regarding stopping the run.

We have highlighted the Raiders’ need to improve their interior defensive line presence before looking at who they could target through the draft and free agency. We previously mentioned Javon Hargrave as a potential free agent target, but he is expected to be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market this offseason.

While General Manager Dave Ziegler doesn’t necessarily need to be frugal, he knows he doesn’t have to spend money erratically either, so a free agent defensive lineman who makes more financial sense is Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis.

Ioannidis isn’t the game-changer on the interior that Hargrave would be, but he’s still an impactful run-stopper who won’t break the bank. Let’s look at Ioannidis’ career and see if he would be a good fit in the Silver and Black.

Washington selected Ioannidis in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent six solid seasons there before signing a one-year deal with the Panthers in 2022. Ioannidis was a force on the interior for Washington in his snaps, posting 175 tackles, 25 tackles for losses, and 24.5 sacks. The best season of his career was 2019, when he recorded 64 tackles, 11 tackles for losses, and eight and a half sacks.

Getting interior pressure is one of the most crucial things a good defense can do, as it limits a team’s ability to run the ball and deters the opposing quarterback.

Ioannidis is approaching his age-30 season, so he probably won’t seek a contract with a large annual salary. Ioannidis could be a quality signing for Ziegler if he goes that route.

The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. During that time, starting at 12 p.m. EDT on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EDT on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m EDT on March 15.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.

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