Who Should I Start? Ikem Ekwonu or Kenyon Green

Monday, April 28, 3:48 PM

The Carolina Panthers have announced they'll pick up the fifth-year option on offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu. He'll now be with the team through the 2026 season and garner a fully guaranteed $17.56 million in his fifth season. Carolina drafted the 24-year-old with the sixth-overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Ekwonu has improved in each campaign since entering the league and was solid for Carolina in 2024, albeit a better run-blocker than he was in pass protection. Still, he's been reliable -- starting 49 of a possible 51 games -- missing just two contests last year with an ankle injury. The North Carolina State product will need to improve against the pass rush in order to eventually gain a lucrative contract, but he's been a fine contributor for the Panthers. He will anchor quarterback Bryce Young's blindside once again in 2025.

Tuesday, March 11, 10:41 AM

The Philadelphia Eagles are trading veteran defensive back C. J. Gardner-Johnson and a sixth-round pick for Houston Texans offensive guard Kenyon Green and a fifth-round pick, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. Houston reached a deal to trade Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders on Monday and is now sending a second starting offensive lineman out of town. Philadelphia is not expected to reach a deal with last year's starting right guard, Mekhi Becton, so Green could fill that role in 2025. Meanwhile, Gardner-Johnson, who played in 16 games for the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles last season, will join a strong Houston secondary led by Derek Stingley Jr.