Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins: 3 undervalued top performers from first three weeks of the season

By Jacob Camenker

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Matt Ioannidis is a player that Redskins fans are familiar with, but he’s not as well known by the national media. So far in 2018, Ioannidis has been one of the league’s best interior pass rushers, and he has notched a sack in each of the team’s first three games. While that is impressive, it doesn’t even tell the whole story with Ioannidis.

Despite Ioannidis’ strong production, he has only been on the field for about 45 percent of the Redskins defensive snaps (82 total). Considering the amount of pressure he has gotten in limited opportunities, it demonstrates that Ioannidis could be close to elite. And, perhaps he still has untapped potential being in just his third NFL season.

Ioannidis is a classic case of a developmental player who was able to improve his skill set in each of the past two seasons. Now, he’s looking like a real part of the Redskins defensive line rotation. It seems likely that his role will increase as the season goes along and even though Jim Tomsula likes to rotate his defensive linemen, he should do what he can to keep Ioannidis, Jonathan Allen, and Daron Payne on the field.

Redskins postgame reality checks from Week 3. dark. Next

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Ioannidis continue on as the best pass rusher on the Redskins squad. The interior D-line has been doing a brunt of the work in pass rushing situations, and he should continue to be a disruptor — especially if Greg Manusky continues to allow his defensive front to play aggressive and attack opposing QBs. Either way, Ioannidis has been one of the team’s best players, but he hasn’t quite gotten the recognition he deserves so far.

Home/Commanders News