Undrafted Rookie Ponder Dazzles Patriots Coaches with Explosive Plays

As the New England Patriots prepare for the upcoming 2025 NFL season, one undrafted rookie has been turning heads during the preseason. Elijah Ponder, an outside linebacker, has been making a strong impression on the coaching staff with his impressive play on the field.

According to Patriots outside linebacker coach Mike Smith, Ponder's performance in a recent preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings was particularly noteworthy. Ponder, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 261 pounds, showcased his elite athleticism and pass-rushing skills, disrupting the Vikings' offense near their own goal line. Smith was left "fired up" by Ponder's play, praising the rookie's "vet feel" and ability to quickly pick up the nuances of the Patriots' defensive scheme.

Despite going undrafted in this year's deep edge rusher class, Ponder has quickly established himself as a player to watch on the Patriots' roster. With veterans like Harold Landry, Keion White, and K'Lavon Chaisson ahead of him on the depth chart, Ponder has continued to impress with his first-step explosiveness and bend, consistently generating pressure in practice and preseason games.

Ponder's versatility on special teams units has also caught the attention of the coaching staff, which could further bolster his chances of earning a spot on the Patriots' 53-man roster. As Smith noted, Ponder's "movement ability and his knowledge and how smart he is, how fast he picks up things is remarkable," suggesting the undrafted rookie has a very bright future ahead of him in New England.