The New England Patriots could have discovered a diamond within the tough.
Undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder regarded like a protracted shot to make the 53-man roster, however judging by his place coach’s phrases, which will now not be the case.
Patriots OLB coach Mike Smith had nothing however constructive issues to say in regards to the Cal Poly product.
“He’s obtained this very uncommon capability of choosing up issues fast and appear to be he’s finished it from Day One. … Has a particularly vivid future. Most likely the most effective free agent pickups I’ve ever seen,” Smith stated, by way of Phil Perry of NBCS Boston.
Patriots OLB coach Mike Smith on undrafted rookie Elijah Ponder:
“He’s obtained this very uncommon capability of choosing up issues fast and appear to be he’s finished it from Day 1… Has a particularly vivid future. Most likely the most effective free agent pickups I’ve ever seen.“ pic.twitter.com/AcEx9SmO3o
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 19, 2025
The Patriots emphasised bolstering their move rush this offseason.
They chose Bradyn Swinson within the fifth spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, signed Ok’Lavon Chaisson, and spent to reunite former Tennessee Titans star Harold Landry III with head coach Mike Vrabel.
Swinson and Chaisson needs to be forward of Ponder on the depth chart, however which may not be the case for for much longer.
Ponder is a mesmerizing athlete, and although he could also be somewhat undersized for the place, he has the explosiveness and aggressiveness to make up for that.
He’s finished a stable job of choosing issues up immediately, and that may take a hard-working participant a great distance.
The athleticism is there, and the Patriots know they’re nonetheless a methods away from getting again to their profitable custom.
So they are going to depart no stone unturned of their pursuit of the hardest-working rivals, even when they didn’t enter the league with loads of hype or spectacular draft credentials.
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