Tag: Ikem Ekwonu

Panthers take Cowboys LT Tyler Smith over Ikem Ekwonu in ESPN’s 2022 redraft

In ESPN’S redo of the 2022 NFL draft, the Panthers pass up on the original sixth overall pick Ikem Ekwonu for Cowboys LT Tyler Smith.

There wasn’t much else the Carolina Panthers could’ve asked out of rookie Ikem Ekwonu in 2022. But should they have asked for another hog molly back last April?

ESPN’s David Newton seems to think so.

In the worldwide leader’s two-round redo of the 2022 NFL draft, Newton—with Carolina’s sixth overall pick—passes up Ekwonu for University of Tulsa product and Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Smith. He writes:

With quarterback Brock Purdy off the board here, it would have been easy to stick with Ekwonu. He had a solid season after a slow start and has shown the promise to be a long-term solution to a longtime issue. Smith, however, graded out slightly higher for the league’s ninth-ranked run offense and allowed seven sacks after being thrown into the position right before the season. Ekwonu allowed eight.”

Per Pro Football Focus, Ekwonu earned an overall offensive grade of 65.3 while Smith—the draft’s 24th overall selection—pulled in a 71.4. Both, additionally, were charged with six sacks apiece by the site.

Ickey wouldn’t drop too far in the ESPN redraft, falling into the laps of Ron Rivera and the Washington Commanders at the 11th spot of the first round.

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Panthers LT Ikem Ekwonu finishes 2022 as 13th-ranked rookie by NFL.com

Daniel Jeremiah’s final set of rookie rankings for the 2022 season has Panthers LT Ikem Ekwonu at No. 13.

The Carolina Panthers have themselves a keeper in Ikem Ekwonu, and we’ve known it since the moment he was drafted.

With the 2022 regular season at a close, NFL.com media analyst and draft buff Daniel Jeremiah updated his rookie rankings for this year’s class. Coming in at No. 13 is the No. 6 overall pick in Ekwonu.

Jeremiah writes:

“The former N.C. State star had some struggles early on, but his natural ability really started to show as the season progressed. He’s a devastating run blocker and has improved as a pass protector.”

Those early struggles saw the left tackle relinquish three sacks in his first two pro games. But he’d grow as the season did, allowing three sacks over his final 15 outings.

Ekwonu’s improvement as a pass protector earned him a 67.5 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus—a higher mark than fellow first-round left tackles in Seattle’s Charles Cross (63.9) and Dallas’ Tyler Smith (64.2). His 64.0 run-blocking grade ain’t to shabby either.

So, for the first time in a long time, it seems like Carolina’s blindside is in good hands.

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4 key matchups for Panthers vs. Saints in Week 18

After a rough outing in Tampa Bay, Panthers CB CJ Henderson should have his hands full again with Chris Olave and the Saints staring him down.

The Carolina Panthers’ improbable and wild ride to a playoff spot has been halted. But, even in a “meaningless” game, there are still many questions to be answered here in Week 18.

Here are four key matchups in Sunday’s season finale that’ll help answer some of those questions.

Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 14 win over Seahawks

Jaycee Horn, PFF’s highest-graded defender for the Panthers in Week 14, put the seatbelts on in Seattle.

How did Pro Football Focus sign off on the Carolina Panthers’ signature win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday?

Let’s take a look at the best and worst grades from a triumphant Week 14.

6 things to know Panthers vs. Seahawks in Week 14

For the first time since 2010, the Panthers and Seahawks will meet without at least one of Cam Newton or Russell Wilson under center.

After a big win over the Denver Broncos and a well-deserved week of rest, the Carolina Panthers will head out west to shoot for a second straight victory. And waiting for them will be, perhaps, their greatest non-NFC South rival in the Seattle Seahawks.

Here are six things to know about the Week 14 matchup.

 

Panthers OL stats amongst NFL’s best entering bye week

It’s time we give James Campen and each Panthers starting offensive lineman their flowers.

Actually having a good offensive line is quite an oddity for the Carolina Panthers. So forgive us if we’re a bit excited here.

But, through the ups and downs of a tumultuous 2022, James Campen’s hog mollies have been one of the few bright constants this team has fielded. Now, let’s give them their flowers and give you some of their best stats on the season.

Panthers OT Ikem Ekwonu earns high praise at midseason point

Panthers rookie LT Ikem Ekwonu has stuck on quickly in the NFL, and he’s starting to get his recognition for it.

With 2022’s sixth overall pick in tow and a longstanding need for a franchise tackle, the Carolina Panthers—amazingly enough—got their pick of the litter back in the spring. Now, as we sit here at the midway point of the campaign, it’s obvious they got themselves a dog.

Ikem Ekwonu has acclimated quite well at the pro level—perhaps even quicker and more effectively than many believed he would. He wasn’t the most refined pass blocker nor was he the most foolproof edge prospect, but the 22-year-old has far exceeded those expectations through 10 games.

And, rightfully so, he’s gotten some praise for it. Here’s just a few of the flowers Ekwonu has collected thus far as a standout rookie.

Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 9 loss to Bengals

For the second time this season, PFF has graded rookie LT Ikem Ekwonu as the Panthers’ top offensive performer.

Did Pro Football Focus find any gems for the Carolina Panthers in their ugly Week 9 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals?

Let’s take a look at the best and worst of their grades from Sunday.

Panthers rookie Ikem Ekwonu is already one of the NFL’s best offensive tackles

The Carolina Panthers appear to finally have their franchise left tackle in rookie Ikem Ekwonu

The Carolina Panthers have been searching for a franchise left tackle ever since Jordan Gross retired back in 2013. They’ve rotated various options at the position with varying degrees of success, from Michael Oher during their Super Bowl run, to the disaster that was Cameron Erving.

They’ve finally found their man, and he’s enjoying a meteoric rise to the upper echelon of NFL taackles

Ikem Ekwonu was drafted No. 6 overall in the 2022 NFL draft, the first offensive tackle off the board in a strong class at the position. He was considered by many as the best tackle in the draft, and for good reason.

An ultra-athletic big man with a mean streak, Ekwonu possesses elite awareness that creates a deadly combination in the run game as well as the pass game. He was well-known as a mauler in the run game at North Carolina State, making opposing defenders disappear into the void and reappear 10 yards down the field. This has directly translated to the NFL game, as Ekwonu has led one of the top running games in the league.

While his opening game was a rough learning experience, giving up two sacks and a handful of pressures against All-Pro Myles Garrett, Ekwonu has shown marked improvement since that debut. Over the last three games, Ekwonu has graded out as the best rookie offensive tackle, and one of the top tackles overall in the NFL, only allowing one more sack since opening day.

According to Pro Football Focus, Ekwonu has had a pass blocking grade over 70.0 every game since Week 2, an impressive feat for a rookie who has been thrown into the fire of what was a train wreck of an offensive line.

Ekwonu is a major part of the Caroina’s resurgence in the offensive trenches, and should be a cornerstone of the franchise for the next decade and beyond.

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Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 8 loss to Falcons

Entering Monday night, Panthers CB CJ Henderson earned PFF’s highest grade for any player at his position in Week 8.

There were a lot of crazy moments and a lot of crazy numbers in the Carolina Panthers’ Week 8 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons. And now, with the help of Pro Football Focus, we’ll give you some more.

Here are the best and worst grades for the team from Sunday.