Ikem Ekwonu
Carolina PanthersModel Score
How good he is at what he is supposed to be doing, out of 100. Not a projection of what he will do next, and not a read on his contract. Median is about 70, and a 95 is rare. How it is built →
Season Stats · 15 games
Draft & College
Comps
STM Take
Four straight years as Carolina's starting LT plus the 6th overall draft pedigree puts Ekwonu in the high-pedigree LT class. The Panthers' 5th-year option exercise reflects the long-term commitment. The 2026 question is whether Ekwonu crosses into tier 4-5 territory or whether the structural tier 7-8 STTM finish flags real concern about the original 6th overall expectation.
Ekwonu came out of NC State as the Carolina Panthers' 1st-round pick (6th overall) in 2022 after earning 2021 First-Team All-ACC honors. He has been the Panthers' starting left tackle for four straight seasons. The Panthers exercised his 5th-year option in 2025, signaling commitment to him as the long-term LT.
Strengths
- Four straight years as Carolina's starting LT plus the 6th overall draft pedigree establishes structural LT career foundation.
- NC State ACC 2021 First-Team All-ACC honors plus the 5th-year option exercise reflects long-term Panthers commitment.
Concerns
- Career STTM range historically tier 7-8 for a 6th overall pick puts him in the negative draft-slot-vs-outcome class.
- Carolina's broader offensive line transition compresses the structural support around Ekwonu's continued development.
What to watch: Whether Ekwonu crosses into tier 5 (top 40) in 2026, the standard year-five threshold for top-10 OT picks on Pro Bowl trajectories.