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Ikem Ekwonu taken first overall in latest Mel Kiper Jr. mock draft

MattCarterby:Matt Carter•03/01/22•

TheWolfpacker

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Arguably the most renowned NFL Draft guru in the business, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., has updated his NFL mock draft and has NC State left tackle Ikem Ekwonu going with the No. 1 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Ultimately, I lean toward Jacksonville getting protection for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who struggled as a rookie,” Kiper wrote. “This could go the other way if the organization brings back Cam Robinson in free agency, but Ekwonu — who is a hot name among NFL teams — would be an immediate upgrade.”

Kiper’s counterpart at ESPN, Todd McShay, had Ekwonu going fourth overall to the New York Jets, but noted that, “some people around the NFL even like him more than Evan Neal.” Neal is an offensive tackle from Alabama that McShay had going first overall.

This is not the first time that Ekwonu has been mocked to be the No. 1 overall selection. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had him there at one point.

Currents betting lines to be the No. 1 pick still favor Neal, with Ekwonu having the fourth best odds. Those two plus defensive ends Aidan Hutchinson from Michigan and Kayvon Thibodeaux from Oregon are the four top contenders to be headed to Jacksonville with the first selection.

The only other time in NC State history that a player was drafted first overall by the NFL was defensive end Mario Williams in 2006. Williams would play 11 years in the NFL and had 97.5 career sacks while being a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro.

Former NC State quarterback Roman Gabriel was picked first overall by the AFL in 1962 while being selected second by the NFL that year. Gabriel was the NFL’s MVP in 1969, Comeback Player of the Year in 1973 (when he led the league in passing yards) and, like Williams, a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection. He played 16 years between the Rams and Eagles.

Ikem Ekwonu’s historic 2021 season

In 2021, Ekwonu became just the third unanimous consensus first-team All-American at NC State, joining former center Jim Ritcher in 1979 and defensive end Bradley Chubb in 2017. Ritcher’s No. 51 is retired from NC State football, and he was an inaugural member of the school’s Hall of Fame.

Chubb’s No. 9 is also permanently honored, and he is currently a star in the NFL with the Denver Broncos.

Ekwonu was also one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, an honor given to the nation’s top lineman. He was the recipient of the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, the first winner from NC State football since Ritcher in 1979.

Ekwonu finished the regular season with 67 pancake blocks and 18 knockdowns, and was a two-time ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week. The 6-4, 320-pounder allowed just two sacks in 829 snaps.

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