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Carolina Panthers 2022 NFL Draft Grades: Value in QB Selection

By Andrew Fischer

Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) makes a throw against the Baylor Bears in the second quarter in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) makes a throw against the Baylor Bears in the second quarter in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Lions, 2022 NFL Draft, Ikem Ekwonu
2022 NFL Mock Draft, Ikem Ekwonu, 2022 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1, 6th Overall: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

Grade: A+

The Carolina Panthers needed an offensive tackle, and they got the pick of the litter when their pick came up at No. 6 overall. The five clubs ahead of the Panthers in the draft all needed offensive line help, and many mocks had at least one of the tackles in the 2022 NFL Draft class getting selected before the Panthers were on the clock.

Luckily for Carolina, it didn’t turn out that way. Ikem Ekwonu had been rising up draft boards after the college football season ended, and there was even some buzz that he might go number one overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Instead, he goes at six to the Carolina Panthers.

I love this pick for the Panthers. They didn’t force the issue and take a quarterback like Kenny Pickett or Malik Willis at six, correctly determining that those players didn’t merit a selection that high. As for Ekwonu as a player, he’s considered one of the best run-blocking linemen in this draft.

For a team that wants to run the ball like the Panthers with Christian McCaffrey, it seemed like a no brainer to make Ikem Ekwonu their first-round pick. The Panthers desperately needed a left tackle (preferably one that could start right away), and due to Ekwonu’s intelligence, length, and physical skill set, he’s just the man for the job.

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