What areas must Ikem Ekwonu improve upon after a standout rookie season with the Carolina Panthers in 2022?
When the Carolina Panthers received a gift from the football gods during the 2022 NFL Draft, they were wise not to pass it up. Ikem Ekwonu’s dream of playing for the organization he followed as a kid came true as the No. 6 overall selection, which finally gave the team their first franchise left tackle since the days of Jordan Gross.
Ekwonu was mismanaged in training camp as he split blindside reps with Brady Christensen before the coaching staff eventually saw sense. After a rough baptism against Myles Garrett in Week 1, the former North Carolina State standout rose to the occasion en route to a fantastic first season as an NFL player.
This was beyond encouraging and played a significant role in Carolina’s vast improvements across the offensive line. However, there is a lot of hard work ahead for Ekwonu as he looks to build on such a promising campaign.
With this in mind, here are three areas Ekwonu must improve in pursuit of progressing his outstanding skill set further in 2023.
Area to Improve No. 1
Ikem Ekwonu must improve his concentration
It’s more a case of fine-tuning rather than any major concerns regarding Ikem Ekwonu’s production. Considering how first-year tackles normally fare, his overall contribution was much better than many envisaged despite the odd blip or two along the way.
Upon examining Ekwonu’s performances, there were times when concentration became an issue. Whether that was with infringements or getting beaten on crucial downs, it’s a definite area to iron out before competitive action begins for the Carolina Panthers later this year.
Ikem Ekwonu must improve discipline
Playing left tackle is difficult for even the most experienced veteran. It’s the most important position on any offensive line and one that the quarterback must trust at all times in pursuit of success.
Ikem Ekwonu is a problem-solver that has all the athletic attributes needed to become a significant force in the coming years. There were times as a rookie when he completely overawed any ongoing pass-rusher, with his dominance in the run game also catching the eye over the second half of 2022 when the Carolina Panthers went to their power scheme under Steve Wilks.
If there was an ongoing flaw in Ekwonu’s influence, it centered around discipline. The rookie blindside presence conceded no fewer than 13 penalties throughout the campaign – many of which came on key downs that hindered Carolina’s ability to move the chains.
Again, this is something that should improve with experience. Ekwonu was a little eager to get to the point of attack on occasion, which caused multiple infringements that could have been prevented with a little extra composure.
Ekwonu played every snap on offense as a rookie, which will do his long-term aspirations an endless amount of good. If he could perhaps half this penalty total during his sophomore campaign, it’s much more respectable looking at other elite left tackles around the NFL.
Ikem Ekwonu must improve consistency
The Carolina Panthers got more outstanding performances from Ikem Ekwonu in one season than anyone else at the left tackle position since Jordan Gross hung up his cleats a decade ago. General manager Scott Fitterer hit the jackpot when the top player on their draft board fell to No. 6 overall and there is nothing to suggest he cannot reach or even exceed some lofty expectations in the years to come.
Ekwonu’s physically imposing and technically sound. However, the next step in the player’s development must be improving consistency moving forward.
This bears more significance when Ekwonu comes up against the league’s most ferocious pass rushers. There were times when the player was found wanting versus the truly elite, which represents the biggest remaining challenge for a player with enormous promise.
It would be a huge surprise if Ekwonu didn’t evolve positively next season and beyond. Carolina might also have a new franchise quarterback for the lineman to protect depending on how things play out early in the 2023 NFL Draft.
For the first offseason in a long while, the left tackle position is not an issue. Ekwonu’s ceiling rose considerably based on his rookie efforts, but there is no room for complacency as he looks to take his game to completely new heights next season.