Panthers select OT Ikem Ekwonu with 6th overall pick
The Carolina Panthers were hoping they’d have at least one of the 2022 NFL draft’s top three hog mollies available to them on Thursday night. Well, they had all three there, so they definitely got their man.
And that man is North Carolina State University offensive lineman Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu. As the franchise has failed to effectively plug its blindside since Jordan Gross’ retirement, having started 16 different men at the spot over the past eight years, Ekwonu will likely be looked upon as the long-term solution at left tackle.
Draft Wire analyst Natalie Miller believes he can be that solution, describing the 6-foot-4, 310-pounder as a potential pillar.
“Ekwonu will be highly valued as a versatile offensive lineman with elite traits who can play multiple positions effectively,” Miller writes. “His length, athleticism, and character will be coveted by teams at the top of the draft, as the very coachable tackle can be molded into a franchise cornerstone and blindside protector for the next decade or more.”
Ekwonu will help anchor an overhauled starting offensive front that should also include Brady Christensen, Bradley Bozeman, Austin Corbett and Taylor Moton.
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