The Carolina Panthers signed first-round offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu to a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $27.568 million on Tuesday, according to a source. The deal includes a signing bonus of $17.229 million and a fifth-year option. The sixth overall pick is expected to be the team's starting left tackle in his rookie season, but it will be interesting to see if his pass-blocking skills can hold up at the next level for a Panthers team that could have Sam Darnold and rookie Matt Corral competing at the quarterback position. The 21-year-old Ekwonu has good range as a tackle and has a knack for being able to move defenders in the running game. His presence should be good news for running back Christian McCaffrey, if he can stay healthy.
Panthers Take Ickey Ekwonu With Sixth Overall Pick
The Carolina Panthers selected North Carolina State offensive tackle Ickey Ekwonu with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2022 NFL draft on Thursday night. Many folks probably expected the Panthers to take a quarterback with this pick to compete with Sam Darnold for the starting job this year, but they passed a signal-caller up in order to solidify their offensive line. Ekwonu is a dominant football player that can pull and can run. He's the most dominant run-blocking tackle in this year's class, so running back Christian McCaffrey will certainly be healthy, as will Darnold or whoever will be starting under center for the Panthers in 2022. Ekwonu will be an immediate starter on the Panthers offensive line.
New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas is smitten with North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu, according to sources, so the team could take him at No. 4 overall in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night, if he's available. Cornerback Sauce Gardner is another candidate to go with the Jets first pick of the draft. The Jets have bigger needs on the defensive line and in the secondary, so it will be interesting to see if they pass on Ekwonu if he's available. Some talent evaluators rate Gardner as the No. 2 prospect in the draft, and the Jets view him as a true lockdown cornerback. The Jets like pass-rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux from Oregon and Jermaine Johnson II from Florida State, but fourth overall is too high for them. Either player would be in consideration at No. 10 overall if the Jets hang onto that pick.
Ikem Ekwonu
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Panthers
