What are the major observations we can take from the Carolina Panthers selecting premier offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu at No. 6 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft?
The Carolina Panthers finally have a left tackle with elite potential. After things went perfectly with all defensive players taken in the top five, they had the pick of the litter and eventually selected Ikem Ekwonu, who was reportedly the top prospect on their board according to Ian Rappaport of the NFL Network.
Ekwonu is a hugely popular pick having played his college football at North Carolina State. But that is just scratching the surface as to what made this selection so appealing to the Panthers.
The lineman is a brute force against the run that can detonate everything in his path. Ekwonu needs a little refinement in pass protection, but working with James Campen should bring on his game considerably once he finally gets into the building.
This has the potential to completely transform Carolina’s fortunes on the blindside – a positional group that has severely lacked any sort of consistency since Jordan Gross hung up his cleats eight years ago.
Adding Ekwonu sets the tone. A difference-maker the Panthers have craved for almost a decade.
There is still work to be done this weekend. But the Panthers are a much better team for having the lineman on it that’s for sure.
Without further ado, here are three major observations from Carolina selecting Ekwonu at No. 6 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Carolina Panthers did the smart thing
For all the talk of reaching for a quarterback at No. 6 overall, there was a growing sense late in proceedings that just wasn’t going to be the case.
How the Carolina Panthers solve this particular problem has yet to be determined. But the organization can now be safe in the knowledge they have a stud left tackle that can potentially fill another problem position long-term providing there are no complications on the health front.
Ikem Ekwonu might not be a sexy pick.
Certainly not to the level someone like Malik Willis would have been.
But make no mistake, this was the right call to make.
Ekwonu brings something that the Panthers sorely missed last season. Aggressiveness, ruthless mentality, and elite production.
Adding to the protection has been a top priority for Carolina this offseason. Putting Ekwonu on an offensive line that also includes Bradley Bozeman, Austin Corbett, and Taylor Moton has the scope to shift the landscape and provide whoever is under center with every chance of succeeding.
The Panthers have been criticized for not doing things correctly since Matt Rhule took over as head coach. Thankfully, they did not waste a golden opportunity after everything fell right.
Brady Christensen might finally have a permanent position
Ikem Ekwonu’s arrival to the Carolina Panthers is likely to fill the left tackle spot. Especially considering the team was reluctant to take Rashawn Slater in 2021 given the fact they graded him as a guard.
This could have a ripple effect on Brady Christensen, who was taken in the third round last year and mismanaged as a rookie as the Panthers tried to figure out where he’d be best utilized.
Now that Ekwonu is on board, this should allow Christensen to focus on the left guard position, and build his craft under the experienced guidance of James Campen en route to winning the starting job in 2022.
This would leave Carolina with a starting offensive line consisting of:
- Ikem Ekwonu – LT
- Brady Christensen – LG
- Bradley Bozeman – C
- Austin Corbett – RG
- Taylor Moton – RT
Providing there are no major concerns through injury, this has the potential to be a top-10 offensive line if everything clicks into place right away.
This is likely to be a major relief for Christensen. Carolina always believed he would be a starter, they just weren’t sure where.
Now, he should be all too aware.
Carolina Panthers could now move on a QB trade
Now that the Carolina Panthers have shown their hand regarding the No. 6 overall selection, those in power could now begin trying to find another quarterback via trade. With no second or third-round selections to speak of after resisting the temptation to move back, the situation has now become clearer as a result.
The offensive line will be much improved with Ikem Ekwonu and their free-agent additions. But that will count for nothing if the right upgrade isn’t found after Sam Darnold fluffed his lines in 2021.
There are two obvious names that haven’t gone away in recent weeks. Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo appear to be the likeliest candidates. But much will depend on the compensation involved for what might end up being a band-aid solution.
Carolina is one of very few teams that could take on either contract. Although they would probably want the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers to take on some of the financial burdens if a deal were to be agreed upon.
The Panthers might be a little quiet tomorrow based on having no capital to draft any incoming college recruits. But they might have something else up their sleeve worth keeping a close eye on.