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The future between the Carolina Panthers and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is certainly an uncertain one.
In January, during the second offensive series of their wild-card round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, the former first-round pick ruptured his patellar tendon—leaving his upcoming campaign in doubt. Since then, the front office invested another first-rounder into the position, taking University of Georgia standout Monroe Freeling with this year's 19th overall selection.
With his health in question and a possible replacement already lined up, Ekwonu could be entering his final season for the Panthers. Oh, and the fact that he has a penchant for drawing flags may not help, either.
According to Pro Football Focus, Ekwonu has been called for the fifth-most penalties in the NFL since 2021—which may be especially "impressive" given that he came into the league in 2022. PFF contributor Bradley Locker writes:
While this isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, it is a mark against Ekwonu—who has yet to really live up to the potential you'd hope for from a top-10 overall pick.
When, or if, he returns to the field this season, he'll have to knock off Rasheed Walker—the team's new projected starter from the blindside. Walker will man left tackle with Ekwonu out and Freeling, at least for 2026, will take the right side early on in place of Taylor Moton.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 1st-round pick among NFL's most penalized players since 2021
Continue reading...
In January, during the second offensive series of their wild-card round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, the former first-round pick ruptured his patellar tendon—leaving his upcoming campaign in doubt. Since then, the front office invested another first-rounder into the position, taking University of Georgia standout Monroe Freeling with this year's 19th overall selection.
With his health in question and a possible replacement already lined up, Ekwonu could be entering his final season for the Panthers. Oh, and the fact that he has a penchant for drawing flags may not help, either.
According to Pro Football Focus, Ekwonu has been called for the fifth-most penalties in the NFL since 2021—which may be especially "impressive" given that he came into the league in 2022. PFF contributor Bradley Locker writes:
While this isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, it is a mark against Ekwonu—who has yet to really live up to the potential you'd hope for from a top-10 overall pick.
When, or if, he returns to the field this season, he'll have to knock off Rasheed Walker—the team's new projected starter from the blindside. Walker will man left tackle with Ekwonu out and Freeling, at least for 2026, will take the right side early on in place of Taylor Moton.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 1st-round pick among NFL's most penalized players since 2021
Continue reading...
