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Cincinnati Bengals 7-round mock draft

By Dani Bostick

Aug 24, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis reacts on the sidelines prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis reacts on the sidelines prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 6: Matt Ionnidis, Defensive Tackle, Temple

The Bengals are well-balanced, but added depth at defensive tackle will only help the team. The defensive line was a need last year, and it is still a point of relative weakness going into the 2016 draft.

Geno Atkins is the anchor of the defensive line, a menace to opposing quarterbacks and an elite force at his position. Outside of Atkins, however, the Bengals line could use more talent and strength. Matt Ionnidis of Temple likely won’t be able to play as a rookie, but he has enough potential to consider as a potential backup.

Matt Ionnidis is a 6’4″, 292-pound starter for the Temple Owls. During the 2015 regular season, he had 3.5 sacks and was a consistent contributor to the team en route to its 10-3 record, which included victories against Cincinnati, Penn State and Memphis. Against Tulane he had six tackles and limited the opponent to only 110 yards of total offense.

Temple did face some formidable opponents this season, including Notre Dame. Temple lost, but Notre Dame was held to 24 points, and the margin of victory was narrow. Notre Dame only won by four points. Ionnidis’ role on the defensive line is part of the reason that game was so close.

While he probably isn’t ready to contribute right away, he is a safe choice in the sixth round and could provide depth to a defensive line which is relatively weaker than other units on the Bengals team.

Next: Round 7: TE Kyle Carter

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