Ikem Ekwonu
OT NC State 6-4 310 JR #79
GRADE: 92 OVR RANK: TBC POS RANK: TBC
ARM LENGTH: 34″ // HAND SIZE: 10 1/4″
40YD: 4.93 (98%) // 10YD: ( %) // VJ: 29″ (71%) // BJ: 8’00” ( %)
BP: ( %) // SS: 4.73 (61%)// 3C: 7.82 (57%)
Projection: Ekwonu projects best as an OT and is scheme diverse at this position. Teams must maximize the amount he is able to quick and 45 set as getting his hands on quickly is when he is most effective. If he is to be moved inside at the next level he will fit best in a heavier Gap scheme.
Ravens Fit: Ekwonu’s power at the point of attack, physicality and length fit perfectly with a Ravens OL prototype. He has shown versatility too, playing Guard as a Sophomore. He fits the Ravens heavier Gap scheme fine at both OT and OG but the Ravens should covet him in the middle of the 1st round as a plug and play Right Tackle, allowing Mekari to move into the 6th man role. Locking down one of the OT spots allows some insurance against the relative question marks over Ronnie Stanley and Ja’Wuan James injury-wise.
Overall Fit 
4/5
Pass Protection
Good pass protector who can use his hand timing and latch strength to win in quick sets and 45 sets. Once he gets his hands on you, it’s over. He has enough lateral agility to mirror once he has his hands on. When asked to set vertically against rushers with only adequate athletic ability, he remains patient and moves well enough to mirror before deploying his hands at the right moment. When setting vertically against more athletic rushers who have a plan and deploy that plan effectively to get him to chase them, he loses his technique and lunges from the waist. Those rushers are then also able to set him up to the outside and get him to over-set before coming back with an inside move. When he doesn’t over-set and a rusher attempts an inside move, he has a very effective power step that closes the door on the rush with authority.
He has an impressive anchor and can reset when in trouble if he’s able to keep his hands latched which is almost always the case – only against the very best DL with outstanding hand usage can this happen. He processes at a high level particularly against stunts and games which he sets up for and gives significant help for his teammates before resetting for the looping defender. He goes looking for work regularly and will finish blocks in pass protection like it’s a dominant run block.
Run Blocking
Excellent physical toughness and aggression particularly in the run game on down and drive blocks. Positions well for down and drive blocks and will fit and finish with leverage against bigger bodies. He has remarkable power in his initial strike, can drive his feet on contact and wins with impressive leverage. He does struggle with finish against more athletic linemen with quicker hands – he will over-extend and chase the highlight block and can be susceptible to matador-like moves such as the swim. His base gets too narrow, and savvy defensive linemen are able to use his aggression against him. He will also deliver his share of pancake blocks and he has physicality and toughness in spades. He has good timing on double teams and his initial impressive impact works well as the Drive man on Deuce Blocks. He strikes quick and fast to give himself maximum time to locate at the second level.
He can use his long levers to good effect on more space/zone blocks like Reach blocks, often looking like he won’t be able to make the block because of his positioning due to his moderate lateral movement deficiency, but is able to recover and regain leverage thanks to his play strength. Against defenders with faster play speed – either athleticism or identifying the block quickly he struggles to match angles and win the outside shoulder but he will always stay latched and drive open a hole. At the 2nd level in lots of space, he struggles to position due to a relative lack of reactive athleticism.
SUMMARY
Physically dominant OT who plays with remarkable hand timing and power in pass pro, leverage and strength as a run blocker. High 1st Round OT prospect.
PRODUCTION
N/A OL
3 Year Starter at LT
Played some snaps at LG as SO
INJURY: None
RAVENS FIT
Toughness 5
Intelligence 3
Versatility 4
Grit 4
Scheme 4
