Breaking News: Patriots Signed Undrafted Free Agent that the Rest of the NFL Made a Mistake not Selecting to Add Flexibility to the Roster
For a rebuilding team, nothing is more important than adding young talented pieces. But for everyone, resources are limited. The New England Patriots had 11 total draft picks, but they just might have signed a player as an undrafted free agent who could really have been taken much earlier.
It’s former Cal Poly edge defender Elijah Ponder, an undersized but athletic player who brings versatility and upside to the defense.
He played four full seasons at Cal Poly, having 26.5 career sacks—third in school history. Over the final two years, but especially in 2024, he also showed the ability to play off the ball, which shows he has the versatility to be multiple in the NFL and help the Patriots’ defense in more than one area. Last season, he played 507 snaps at the line of scrimmage and 99 off the ball, with seven sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.
Dane Brugler, from The Athletic, had Ponder graded as sixth/seventh-round talent, indicating the Patriots got excellent value by signing him as an undrafted player.
“Elijah Ponder was born and raised in Southern California and was introduced to football by his father (also grew up playing instruments, including the piano, guitar and drums). At Bishop Amat High, he played basketball and track (school-record 47-foot triple jump) and was a do-everything athlete on the football field. He totaled 21 sacks over his final two years.
A two-star recruit, he bypassed a few FBS offers (Colorado State, San Jose State) to sign with FCS Cal Poly. Ponder played a hybrid edge role throughout college, both standing up and putting his hand in the dirt, and ranks third in school history with 26.5 career sacks. Quick off the ball, he can threaten the corner or work across the faces of blockers inside. He uses his hands well to disrupt blockers’ balance, although he needs to do a better job with angles in the run game. Overall, Ponder doesn’t always play up to his testing numbers, but he rushes with an initial and late burst to affect the quarterback. He projects as a sub-package rusher.” — Dane Brugler
According to the consensus big board, Ponder was the 295th prospect in this class—and this is the highest he has been in the process, an indication that coaches like him more than the external media, and as soon as the information started circulating, his stock started to rise.
Despite being relatively undersized to play at defensive end (6-2, 251 pounds), Ponder is extremely athletic, putting up a 9.70 Relative Athletic Score. This is due to his elite speed, explosion, and agility grade. The combination also fits well for him to develop as a prolific special teamer.
Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams has a background as a defensive line coach, and head coach Mike Vrabel has coached both defensive line and linebackers, giving him a particularly important background to help Ponder develop. The tools are certainly there.
