Ekwonu Believes He Can Still Play Left Tackle at an 'Elite Level' in the NFL

Was 2023 just a case of the sophomore slumps for Panthers' Ickey Ekwonu?

Author:
Schuyler Callihan
Jan 16, 2024 9:43 AM EST

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Outside of the quarterback, the left tackle may be the most important position on an NFL roster. You have to be able to protect the blindside of your quarterback and not get beat off the edge time and time again.

Unfortunately, former first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu took a massive step back in his second year with the Carolina Panthers allowing eleven sacks and over 40 QB pressures.

"I wouldn't say it was scheme necessarily," Ekwonu told me last week at exit interviews. "I don't know, it's really hard to pinpoint, honestly. I really got to look back on the season and kind of figure out where things went wrong, and where things broke down at. Once I evaluate the season as a whole, I'll have an answer for you."

There were several times where Ekwonu looked lost when defenses would throw a variety of twists and stunts at him or if they overloaded pressure to his side. He looked as if he was second-guessing himself and didn't have confidence in holding up in one on one battles.

Anytime a tackle struggles with pass protection consistently, but performs well in the run game, it sparks a conversation about whether or not said player should kick inside to guard. Moving to guard should not worry fans if that's what helps get the best five linemen on the field. They would have to go out and sign a veteran or make a move to bring in a starting caliber left tackle considering former undrafted free agent Ricky Lee is the only other option.

Ekwonu has experience playing inside, having done so at North Carolina State, but he believes he can figure out his pass pro issues and stay at tackle.

"I'm a team player. I'm going to do what the team needs me to do, but I've always seen myself as a left tackle in this league. I know I can play left tackle at an elite level in this league and I'm going to go into the offseason making sure I'm the best left tackle I can be."