Former <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/nc-state-wolfpack/">N.C. State</a> star <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ikem-ekwonu-48984/">Ikem Ekwonu</a> was just selected at the No. 6 overall selection in the first round of the <a href="https://www.on3.com/nfl/draft/2022/">2022 NFL Draft</a> by the Carolina Panthers. The details of his new contract were released tonight by <a href="https://twitter.com/spotrac/status/1519841431099215874">Spotrac</a>. The gifted offensive lineman is expected to sign a four-year deal worth $27.5 million, including a $17.2 million signing bonus. The contract is fully guaranteed, and a fifth-year option is available in the deal. 



At 6-foot-4, 288-pounds, Ikem Ewonu entered the 2022 NFL Draft after winning All-American honors at tackle after winning All-ACC honors at both guard and tackle in 2020. Although offensive lineman do not fill the stat sheet, he did record 67 pancake blocks on 829 snaps played in 2021.



A former three-star recruit in the class of 2019, Ekwonu was the No. 653 overall player in the nation per the <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/consensus-player/football/2019/">On3 Consensus</a>, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. The Charlotte, North Carolina native also ranked as the No. 46 interior offensive lineman and No. 27 player in his home state after playing at Providence Day School.



<h2 id="h-nfl-draft-analysts-on-ikem-ekwonu">NFL draft analysts on Ikem Ekwonu</h2>



<a href="https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ickey-ekwonu/3200454b-5741-5291-c575-71e78a1d7951">NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein</a> broke down what Ikem Ekwonu can bring to the NFL in his recent scout of the offensive lineman’s draft profile. The analyst compared the NC State product to Pro Bowl and All-Pro offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele.



The NFL.com scout pointed out that while Ekwonu is not the most finished product in the class, his power and size put him in a position to compete on every snap against elite edge rushers.



“A gentleman in class and killer on the grass, Ekwonu goes from amiable to angry once he steps foot on the field,” wrote Zierlein. “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.”



<a href="https://www.on3.com/user/jamesfletcher/">On3’s James Fletcher III</a> also contributed to this article.

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