Scouting Ikem Ekwonu

[TheSpecialJuan]

OT Ikem Ekwonu, No. 6 pick, Carolina Panthers

Ekwonu, the first offensive player selected in April’s draft, has had some very good moments … and some teachable ones, as well. That’s not shocking at all, given his age and position. The best news: His movement skills and power are absolutely showing up. His technique and general refinement are the areas where there’s plenty of work ahead.

In terms of a pure talent, though, it looks like it’s all there, as Carolina hoped.

Ekwonu beautifully reset and recovered against Washington’s Montez Sweat, early in his first appearance at left tackle (which was off the bench), showing good feet and a willingness to work through the whistle. His hands were erratic, however, which led to problems as the game wore on. There were reps when Ekwonu’s punch simply missed, too, and other reps where he landed a punch but didn’t follow it up with anything.

Great examples of where he’s at right now came from a pair of lead-pitch plays in the New England game last week. The first was perfect, with Ekwonu showing everything about how well he moves, before landing a strike into the chest of DB Jonathan Jones. But when Carolina went to run the same concept later in the game, Ekwonu was standing straight up on his lead pull, which allowed safety Kyle Dugger, who smartly read the play, to beat him to the punch and knock him off his feet. Ekwonu had some trouble with finish and footwork in that game.

He’s also improving. He gave up a sack on third-and-long against speedy Patriots edge rusher Josh Uche because his first step was nowhere near deep enough, given the opponent. That looked better later in the game, as did his ability to pass off stunts inside.

He simply needs to keep playing. But the things Carolina liked about Ekwonu at N.C. State have been there early.

[TheSpecialJuan]

https://theathletic.com/3532123/2022/08/25/nfl-offense-draft-picks-ranking/

[Ocpanthertew714]

i'll take the good with the bad...

[t96]

Rookie LTs are pretty much never elite regardless of where they’re drafted. It takes time to get the hang of the position in the big leagues. If Icky can even be average this year, which I think he can, it’s a huge upgrade for us.

[panthers55]

I suspect that by midseason Ickey will be playing pretty well.  Most rookie linemen get abused no matter how strong until their technique improves.  If he doesn't give up too many sacks that it gets in his head, he will be fine. We need to give him some help with guys like Garrett to help him hold his own otherwise we could lose some games while we figure it out.

[ThPantherFan]

30 minutes ago, t96 said:

Rookie LTs are pretty much never elite regardless of where they’re drafted. It takes time to get the hang of the position in the big leagues. If Icky can even be average this year, which I think he can, it’s a huge upgrade for us.

Actually, LT is a difficult position.  Gross had his problems his first year.

[Waldo]

Slater reset the bar for rookie LTs. Ickey looks like he has a lot of potential. It's going to be fun seeing where he ends up by the end of the year.

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

1 hour ago, ThPantherFan said:

Actually, LT is a difficult position.  Gross had his problems his first year.

Gross played RT his rookie year...

 

But if you mean when he moved to the left yes.

[bandu]

2 hours ago, ThPantherFan said:

Actually, LT is a difficult position.  Gross had his problems his first year.

Gross played RT his rookie season

[Pejorative Miscreant]

He will take some lumps early but I think he has the raw talent to hang in n there and the refinements will come. 

[t96]

2 hours ago, ThPantherFan said:

Actually, LT is a difficult position.  Gross had his problems his first year.

That's pretty much the point I was making..

[ECHornet]

Y’all are being nice right now. Remember this feeling if he has another drive where he gives up two sacks. Hopefully it will remind you of how patience is recommended for Ekwonu’s development. 

Edited August 26, 2022 by ECHornet

[Ricky Spanish]

4 hours ago, t96 said:

Rookie LTs are pretty much never elite regardless of where they’re drafted. It takes time to get the hang of the position in the big leagues. If Icky can even be average this year, which I think he can, it’s a huge upgrade for us.

Unless you have short arms apparently.

 

[Snake]

4 hours ago, t96 said:

Rookie LTs are pretty much never elite regardless of where they’re drafted. It takes time to get the hang of the position in the big leagues. If Icky can even be average this year, which I think he can, it’s a huge upgrade for us.

Well except for Joe Thomas and Willie Roaf but we are talking HOF Tackles.