Through seven rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan waited for an opportunity to draft a tackle.
The position didn’t take precedence over drafting playmaking wide receivers, like bookends Tetairoa McMillan in the first round and Jimmy Horn Jr. in the sixth. Tackle prospects certainly didn’t trump the edge position, with two Day 2 picks stemming from Morgan deals. Second-rounder Nic Scourton and third-rounder Princely Umanmielen.
Needing to improve running back depth with 2023 second-rounder Jonathon Brooks expected to miss next season following his second knee surgery in two seasons, Morgan went with Trevor Etienne, who also could develop into a return specialist. A tackle prospect in that range didn’t fit, Morgan said.
The same is true for his other three selections: fourth-round safety Lathan Ransom, fifth-round nose tackle Cam Jackson, and fifth-round tight end Mitchell Evans.
“We were following our board and tackle wasn’t the top player at the time,” Morgan said during a video conference Saturday. “Just the way it worked out.”
After not addressing the position, Morgan quickly pivoted and informed established starter Ikem Ekwonu that the Panthers planned to pick up the fifth year of his rookie contract. The decision will keep the Charlotte, North Carolina, native with the Panthers through 2026.
After making the eight selections while talking to local media, he broke the news to media members. After struggling with pass protection in 2023, Ekwonu rebounded with an 80.5 run-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus. The 2023 first-round draft pick still needs to refine his pass-blocking grades. Over the past three seasons, he totaled 66.2, 62.3 and 67.5.
The Panthers will enter next season with Edwonu and veteran Taylor Moton as the starting tackles. Moton is in the final season of the four-year, $72 million contract extension he signed after carrying the franchise tag in 2021.
#panthers LT Ikem Ekwonu said he will rebound in 2024 and “take advantage of the resources” available to the 3rd-year #NFL pro … pic.twitter.com/kTjoTIksNH
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 30, 2024
Panthers Reach Deals With Undrafted Free Agents
Immediately after the draft, Morgan signed Oklahoma tackle Michael Tarquin as an undrafted free agent. Tarquin appeared in 10 games with the Sooners. In his seven starts, four came at right tackle and three at left tackle. He missed three games because of injury.
Tarquin started his career with Florida (2019-22), before transferring to Southern California (2023).
The Panthers also inked Vanderbilt offensive linemen Steven Losoya III and Cincinnati guard Luke Kandra.
Here is a list of the other early undrafted free agents the Panthers reportedly signed Saturday:
Name, Pos., School
- Ethan Garber, Quarterback, UCLA
- Michael Tarquin, Tackle, Oklahoma
- Jacolby George, Wide Receiver, Miami
- Steven Losoya III, OL, Vanderbilt
- Ryan Fitzgerald, Kicker, Florida State
- Kobe Hudson, Wide Receiver, University of Central Florida
- Trevian Thomas, Safety, Arkansas State
- Bam Martin-Scott, Linebacker, South Carolina
- Mike Reid, Cornerback, South Dakota
- Jack Henderson, Defensive Back, Minnesota
- Isaac Gifford, Safety, Nebraska
- Tuasivi Nomura, Linebacker, Fresno State
- Luke Kandra, Guard, Cincinnati
- Corey Thornton, Cornerback, Louisville
After watching @Lions attempt a Thanksgiving tackle pass, should @Panthers coach and pkaycaller Dave Canales expect Ikem Ekwonu to lobby for a similar design Sunday vs @Buccaneers ? … pic.twitter.com/N3QqEAXOnm
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) November 29, 2024
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