The Carolina Panthers selected the All-American tackle Ikem Ekwonu at No. 6 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, which was the perfect choice.
There it is.
The Carolina Panthers needed a left tackle to fully solidify an offensive line that has been retooled this offseason. And they found their man in Ikem Ekwonu with the No. 6 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Charlotte-area native Ekwonu grew up a Panthers fan, and the selection adds some homegrown flavor to the Carolina roster. It is very likely the left tackle was going to play with pride and intensity wherever he went, but playing at home might add some fuel to that fire.
Ekwonu is 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, with 34-inch arms. His measurables are impressive, but the heavy offensive lineman somehow played bigger than his size.
He mowed people down on his way to becoming a unanimous All-American selection last season at North Carolina State. Ekwonu moves surprisingly quickly with his footwork and fluidity – making almost everyone he comes up against shake in fear.
The Panthers’ first night in the 2022 NFL Draft is done. And while trading back might have been an attractive option, staying put and drafting Ekwonu at 6th overall was smarter than passing up the chance to take the star tackle.
With this in mind, here are four reasons why drafting Ekwonu was the perfect move for Carolina to kick off their draft.
Ikem Ekwonu was the best player available
The Carolina Panthers came into the draft having contemplated many outcomes in the top five picks above them. There was a potential for all three top tackles to get selected before they got on the clock, which would have been a blow given their need to find a stable solution long-term.
Not one, not two, but all three tackles were available for Carolina to choose from.
An unbelievable turn of events.
Carolina’s big board reportedly had Ekwonu at the top of it, and many other NFL teams likely had him near or at the top of theirs as well. This year’s draft did not have a consensus No. 1 player, but the fearsome offensive tackle was the one player consistently in the conversation of being that top prospect.
The Panthers were lucky Ekwonu fell into their laps. And they were right not to pass up such an opportunity.
Even though Charles Cross looks like the best pass protector out of the offensive linemen this year and Neal looks like the most polished, Ekwonu not only has the most athletic talent out of the three, but that athletic ability lends him to having arguably the highest ceiling out of all the top prospects in the draft.
Ekwonu’s physical make-up lets him play not only tackle but also guard. This versatility is something that adds even more value to the Panthers.
Ikem Ekwonu has a versatility that the Carolina Panthers love
Throughout Ikem Ekwonu’s collegiate career at North Carolina State, he was utilized at both the left tackle and left guard positions. The organization likely sees its new acquisition as a franchise blindside protector, but the ability to move inside if needed is something that cannot be overlooked.
Offensive lines often times get hit with injuries the most out of all the positional groups throughout the year. That means tackles might have to shift to guard at some point in the season.
Having a tackle who has already been doing that, and is comfortable at either position, is a huge positive. Something Ekwonu can provide and this is something the Carolina Panthers have valued highly in their draft picks since Matt Rhule took over as head coach.
Ekwonu’s versatility also means that offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo can shift him around depending on certain formations or situations. That will help keep opposing defenses off-balance all game.
In all likelihood, however, Ekwonu will play at left tackle and cement that position for the Panthers. Something that Carolina has sorely missed since Jordan Gross retired eight seasons ago.
Ikem Ekwonu fills a huge need for the Carolina Panthers
Perhaps the biggest positive Ikem Ekwonu brings to the Carolina Panthers is his positional value.
The franchise has been missing a good left tackle for the better part of a decade since Jordan Gross hung up the cleats. And the Panthers’ offensive line was one of, if not the worst unit in the NFL during the 2021 campaign.
The selection of the former North Carolina State Wolfpack star finishes up the offseason re-haul across the protection. Ekwonu fills the last piece of that puzzle and this can hopefully become a strong group barring injury.
To be fair to Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker, and Cam Newton, most quarterbacks would have struggled last season if they had the lack of protection those three were given by the line. The additions of Brady Bozeman and Austin Corbett shore up the interior, but the left tackle spot was still a question mark heading into draft night.
Carolina filled that need in a big way with the selection of Ekwonu.
The left tackle spot was not the largest need for the Panthers, and they will still need to fill the quarterback position. But it is safe to say Carolina got good value out of the No. 6 overall selection with the top guy on their draft board.
Simply put, this is something that the quarterbacks in this year’s class would not have provided if Carolina chose to go down the route of selecting one of them in the top 10.
No quarterback was worth a top 10 pick
The Carolina Panthers decided against drafting one of the quarterbacks at No. 6 overall. A choice that at the end of the night, was the right call to make.
Not one of the signal-callers in this draft class is worth a top 10 pick. Compared to the rest of what is an amazing crop of talent at almost every other position, the talent pool at the most important position on the field is lacking that clear-cut elite prospect.
Malik Willis is the one quarterback that looks to have an elite ceiling. But he is very raw and needs good coaching to reach expectations – a gamble that teams picking in the first round were not willing to make when push came to shove.
The Panthers need certainty that their top 10 selection is going to pan out. Something that none of the quarterbacks showed in the scouting process after Carolina went through all prospects under center thoroughly.
Ikem Ekwonu is a fantastic talent in a position of need, and he has the versatility to play multiple places on the offensive line. Eventually, the Panthers needed to get a franchise left tackle, and after everything went their way early on, they’ve finally found their man.