The Patriots UDFA-centric media has primarily been dominated by Efton Chism III this offseason, and Lan Larison to a lesser degree. Without doubt, Chism looks to be a future star if he can continue his preseason play, and Larison's 5 yards per carry and touchdown in Week 1 of the preseason gave something for Patriots fans to get excited about.
The disadvantage of highlighting Chism and Larison so heavily is that some players are overlooked. One of such is Elijah Ponder, but he should be anything but overlooked.
Ponder, a Cal Poly alum, had a successful five-year run with the program, and primarily saw his sack production come in his final two seasons. After nine sacks in his first three years, he managed to tie that total in 2023. This past season, he added seven more to his career total, with 25 in five years and 16 in the last two.
The Patriots outside linebackers coach couldn't stop raving about Elijah Ponder
There's no doubt Ponder had a successful college career and has the chance to be a hit in the NFL. His 2023 was an awe-inspiring season; he posted an 89.9 overall PFF grade and a 90.7 pass rush grade. Zooming out from his nine sacks, he had 37 pressures.
He has spectacular athleticism and burst, and that hasn't gone unnoticed by OLBs coach Mike Smith:
#Patriots OLBs coach Mike Smith absolutely loves undrafted OLB Elijah Ponder and he got goosebumps referencing a play Ponder made on film.
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) August 19, 2025
“I’m fired up about that kid… Probably one of the best free agent pickups I’ve ever seen… Actually don’t put that out there just in case.” pic.twitter.com/0ZIjhkF1Jj
A co-sign from Smith is nothing to scoff at. He played four seasons (2005-08) in the NFL himself with the Ravens as a seventh-round pick from Texas Tech. He's been in the NFL as a coach since 2010, and he started coaching outside linebackers in the league 13 years ago.
What will Elijah Ponder do in 2025 and beyond?
The answer to what Ponder will do in 2025 is, well, probably not very much. He hasn't flashed in the preseason games as much as fans would have hoped, but given the nature of his position, he seems sure to be a lock for the practice squad.
The depth chart currently features Harold Landry, K'Lavon Chaisson, and Bradyn Swinson as locks. Anfernee Jennings has made himself hard to cut with his three sacks on Saturday, despite not fitting Vrabel's scheme. Truman Jones is a Vrabel favorite, and most experts have him penciled in as someone to make the roster. Depending on how you categorize Keion White, the Patriots already have six edge defenders over Ponder in the depth chart.
For now, the best thing for him to do is continue to develop. There's little reason to put unnecessary pressure on a young player via a roster spot and high usage role when he isn't ready and there are better players in front of him.
Ponder has all the potential in the world to be a contributor for future Patriots teams, but expect such contribution to come in 2026 and beyond.