2022 NFL Draft Notebook: Top draft picks of the past decade and more
By John Blair
One of the biggest snubs of last season was North Carolina State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu only being named third-team All-ACC. This was despite Ekwonu leading the team with an impressive 50 pancake blocks and 22 knockdowns. He was also well respected by his opponents as one opposing coach called him the most feared lineman in the ACC and another one saying that he was a better offensive lineman than Christian Darrisaw who went in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Ekwonu also had a strong freshman season in 2019 becoming the first true freshman to start at offensive tackle for the Wolfpack since 2010. He finished that year with 37 pancakes and was named to the FWAA Freshman All-America team.
As a prospect Ekwonu’s top trait is his strength. He routinely blows guys off the ball and his impressive strength is one of the main reasons he was able to account for 87 pancake blocks and 28 knockdowns over the past two seasons. To go along with his strength he has the size to be one of the more physical linemen at the next level coming in at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds.
Some of the other traits working in his favor include his versatility, overall intelligence, and non-stop motor. During his college career, Ekwonu has played both tackle and guard and shows the potential to play either right tackle or guard in the NFL. He is one of the smarter players in this year’s draft both on and off the field.
Coming out of high school Ekwonu turned down offers from Harvard and Yale and while in college has an Academic All-ACC performer both of his years in college. His coaches also rave about his motor and he does an outstanding job of finishing his blocks.
The biggest concern with Ekwonu is his ability to pass block. Last season, he gave up 25 pressures and seven sacks which is a major concern. In pass blocking, he struggles in two main areas which are hand placement and the quickness to keep up with edge pass rushers. In terms of his hand use, he tends to be late on his punch and also doesn’t always get his hands inside.
However, the main reason he struggled in this area is he lacks the overall speed and agility to keep up with quick edge rushers. This lack of speed is one of the main reasons his best position in the NFL will likely be offensive guard.
Going into the 2021 season Ekwonu draft stock is all over the board as he is rated the tenth best offensive guard by NFL Draft Scout, yet is rated by Mel Kiper Jr. as the top guard in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The rating he receives by NFL Draft Notebook is much closer to Mel Kiper’s than NFL Draft Scout though as he currently is rated as the second-best offensive guard just behind Kenyon Green of Texas A&M. If he can improve as a pass blocker this year it is not out of the question for Ekwonu to be a late first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.