Ikem Ekwonu, the North Carolina St. OT, sits at No. 5 on the consensus board across 28 public boards. The tier model reads him as an impact starter — 50% elite, 32% starter.
Production Context
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: “A gentleman in class and killer on the grass, Ekwonu goes from amiable to angry once he steps foot on the field.”
Production Context
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: “He has a highlight reel full of violent strikes and finishes but needs to cut his aggression with a little more control.”
Technique
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: “He's a long-limbed athlete and scheme-diverse run blocker with the potential to win with positioning or force.”
Technique
NFL Network's Bucky Brooks: “He mauls defenders with his exceptional combination of strength and power, finishing blocks with relentless aggression.”
Physicality
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: “He has played both guard and tackle in his career, but he excelled at left tackle in 2021.”
Character
NFL Network's Bucky Brooks: “Ekwonu is an explosive run blocker with a nasty temperament that sets the tone for the front line.”
Role and scheme fit
The archetype rules read him as a swing-tackle.
Sources · 6 · quotes 3
The report above is our synthesis. These links preserve the research trail; quoted language below remains the source's own.
- Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
- Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
- Bucky Brooks, NFL Network
- Lance Zierlein, nfl_com_zierlein
- Mel Kiper Jr., espn_mel_kiper
- Bucky Brooks, nflcom_bucky_brooks
“…A gentleman in class and killer on the grass, Ekwonu goes from amiable to angry once he steps foot on the field. He's a long-limbed athlete and scheme-diverse run blocker with the potential to win with positioning or force. He has a highlight reel full of violent strikes and finishes but needs to cut his aggression with a little more control. The pass protection has seen rough patches over the last two years and that…”
“…HT : 6-4 | WT: 320 | Previously: 2 Ekwonu bullies pass-rushers. He toys with them. He has played both guard and tackle in his career, but he excelled at left tackle in 2021. He moves his feet well in the run game and can get to the next level. I still want to see his arm length measurement, but people inside the league whom I trust think he can stick at left tackle regardless. He has been a riser over the past few mo…”
“…Ekwonu is an explosive run blocker with a nasty temperament that sets the tone for the front line. He mauls defenders with his exceptional combination of strength and power, finishing blocks with relentless aggression. The N.C. State product is still a work in progress as a pass protector, but his size and physical tools could enable him to quickly blossom into an elite offensive tackle.…”
Sourced synthesis from 6 scouting sources, not original film. How these reports are written →