NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu skipped drills at pro day. Panthers should still want him
To the surprise of many, tackle Ikem Ekwonu did not participate in position drills at NC State’s pro day on Tuesday.
Instead, the 6-foot-4, 310-pound projected top-10 pick notched 26 reps on the bench press. To not take attention away from his teammates, Ekwonu talked to media after their workouts concluded.
“I worked out at the combine and did all the running and position work there. The only thing I did not do was bench,” Ekwonu said. “I wanted to finish my whole assessment here by benching. But I feel like I put everything out there that I need to. I have three years’ worth of film. I feel like evaluators have enough on me.”
One NFL scout, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak, told The Observer they were not disappointed Ekwonu did not work out. Prospects have to do what is best for them during the evaluation process. Ekwonu started all 12 games this past season at NC State.
The Panthers have an obvious need at left tackle and are seriously considering Ekwonu with their No. 6 selection in April’s draft. After spending Monday at North Carolina’s pro day, Panthers VP of player personnel Pat Stewart and other Carolina staffers were at NC State to watch Ekwonu and other prospects.
Ekwonu will spend the next few weeks staying in shape and visiting teams for in-person visits. Ekwonu confirmed he will be in Charlotte at some point to visit the Panthers. It will not be the first time Ekwonu has spent time with Carolina.
“It went great meeting (the Panthers) at the combine. I got to meet coach Rhule and coach McAdoo,” Ekwonu said. “It’s nice to have that face-to-face. Zoom (meetings) negate a little bit of that personability. The fact I was in that room with everybody means a little bit more.”
Carolina’s current projected starting lineup up front is Brady Christensen (LT), Michael Jordan or Bradley Bozeman (LG), Pat Elflein (C), Austin Corbett (RG) and Taylor Moton (RT). Friday, general manager Scott Fitterer spoke to local media with confidence and conviction about the Panthers’ offensive line group.
Ekwonu, a Charlotte native, shares his sentiment.
“I feel like I’d fit in pretty great,” he said. “The culture of the team and the tough guys that they have, I’d fit right in. And it would be kind of cool to play for the team I grew up rooting for my whole life. It would be pretty cool.”
As Ekwonu spoke about being drafted by the Panthers, a bright white smile shined across his face. Panthers fans would share his excitement if Carolina selected him. Some within the organization consider Ekwonu the best tackle available. The concern is he will be selected before the Panthers pick.
“I have a hard time believing offensive tackle is not the pick if (Ekwonu) is on the board,” NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein told The Observer. It would take an outrageous trade package for someone to move up and snatch that away. I can’t see another position that they would draft. I know people are going to be excited about quarterback. But (tackle) is a must-have position that Carolina has tried to fix in the past and it just hasn’t worked out. They got to get it right.”
Along with Ekwonu, the other top tackles are Evan Neal (Alabama) and Charles Cross (Mississippi State). Zierlein said Neal is his No. 1 tackle. Ekwonu is No. 2, followed by Cross and Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning. Though Neal is considered the most refined and polished tackle prospect, Zierlein said Ekwonu has the most upside and is already the best run blocker in class.
“He is a very aggressive, physical run blocker,” Zierlein said. “He can move people around. He has tremendous explosiveness in his lower and upper body. He can move block in terms of zone blocking. He can also be a gap scheme blocker. Basically, he fits into any run scheme that you want.”
The tape tells most of Ekwonu’s story. He’s mauling and dominant at the point of attack as a run blocker. At the combine, a scout described the 34-inch armed tackle as someone who plays with “hate in his heart” but is a great person off the field.
Ekwonu would fit in perfectly with the Panthers’ new downhill, power run-blocking scheme McAdoo is installing. He also brings the type of versatility Carolina is already collecting across its line. The Panthers view Christensen as a five-position player. Bozeman started in 48 games the past three years at left guard and center for the Ravens.
Carolina needs a tackle. Even without a pro day workout, Ekwonu to Carolina makes a lot of sense.
“I’m sure he’s going to be looked at as a left tackle, as a right tackle, and as a guard. I could see him potentially playing guard early in his career as he continues to get better with past protection,” Zierlein said. “He could become one of the best offensive lineman in this draft within three to four years.”
This story was originally published March 29, 2022 at 9:52 PM.
