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Packers 2016 seven-round mock draft: Defense gets major upgrades

By Freddie Boston

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of Radio City Music Hall before the start of the 2014 NFL draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of Radio City Music Hall before the start of the 2014 NFL draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 26, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis of Temple (90) tries to stop running back Tyler Ervin of San Jose State (7) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis of Temple (90) tries to stop running back Tyler Ervin of San Jose State (7) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 4 (137): DT Matt Ioannidis, Temple

This is a deep class of defensive linemen, and the Packers could grab their second of the draft with Temple’s Matthew Ioannidis. Ioannidis plays with 100 percent effort and has the potential to become a starter in the NFL.

What’s exciting about his play is that he can line up at nose tackle or defensive end. He would bring versatility to the Packers’ defensive line and could be a useful rotational piece right away. Ioannidis is a powerful player who can help shut down the run — an area the Packers are in desperate need of help. He also offers enough interior pass rush to be used on all three downs. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein believes Ioannidis fits well in a 3-4:

"“With power and toughness to spare, he is at his best as a block-­eating two-­gap player who can anchor against the run and who can generate decent push in the pocket when called on as a pass rusher. He has the looks of a starter in a 3-­4 defense and a rotational tackle in a 4­-3.”"

While Mike Pennel sits out of the Packers’ first four games, Ioannidis would offer valuable depth with the potential to earn a much bigger role on defense down the line. The starting three in 2016 would be Mike Daniels, Letroy Guion and first-rounder Vernon Butler.

Next: Round 5

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