Carolina Panthers 2022 end of season superlatives: Who made the cut?

Ikem Ekwonu – Carolina Panthers OT

• Honorable Mention: Cade Mays, Amare Barno.

The 2022 NFL Draft class boasts an impressive lineup of rookies that includes Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and many other high-impact players who helped their teams fill positions of need. Ikem Ekwonu is another standout and has made a strong case that he is the Carolina Panthers’ blindside anchor long-term.

Having played every single offensive snap in 2022, Ekwonu provided the Panthers with something they haven’t had since the great Jordan Gross retired almost a decade ago. Stability.

Ekwonu is also a hometown kid who had a dream of playing for the Panthers. That makes his exceptional start to life in Carolina all the sweeter.

This pick should come as no shock to anyone who’s seen the North Carolina State product compete this season. Ekwonu has arguably had the best rookie season for a Panther since the phenomenal Luke Kuechly won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012.

The Panthers have found their guy at left tackle at long last. Those in power need to do everything they can to surround Ekwonu with the team he deserves to protect.