Entering the NFL trade deadline, it looked like edge rusher was one of the top positions of need for the Patriots.
After they traded Keion White to San Francisco, the team had room to add another veteran to provide depth behind Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson. Although they showed reported interest in veteran Jaelan Phillips, the Patriots opted to stand pat and lean on the players already on their roster.
With White gone, that meant more of an opportunity for undrafted rookie Elijah Ponder to play with veteran backup Anfernee Jennings. On Sunday, Ponder delivered.
The rookie edge rusher played a career-high 14 defensive snaps and made his first NFL sack.
“It felt amazing,” Ponder said. “First career sack. I’m just grateful.”
A small-school prospect, Ponder played in college at Cal Poly. He excelled on defense and special teams, finishing with 26.5 sacks and two blocked kicks in five collegiate seasons. After going undrafted, he landed in New England, where he quickly established himself as one of the team’s best undrafted free agent signings.
Ponder entered this fall as one of the Patriots core special teams players. With Landry, Chaisson, White, and Jennings, there weren’t nearly enough snaps on defense for the rookie.
Ponder played 13 defensive snaps in Buffalo when Chaisson was out with a knee injury. The rookie played 13 snaps again against Tennessee when Landry was limited with an ankle injury.
After the trade of White, the depth chart changed, but not the rookie’s mindset.
“For me, nothing really changes. It’s just work,” Ponder said. “Each day I just keep putting in work and see what happens, and hopefully get my opportunities.”
On Sunday, Ponder made his impact felt. The rookie made his first tackle on special teams on a kickoff return. Then at 9:31 of the fourth quarter, Ponder sacked Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield on second-and-4. The sack dropped the veteran for a loss of 5 yards, setting up a third-and-9.
That led to a third-down stop for the Patriots defense. It was a big moment as the Buccaneers trailed by five points and were trying to come back.
For Ponder, it felt great to make an impact in a big game.
“It means everything,” Ponder said. “However, I can help the team in any way; it makes my job easier with the people around me. It just feels good.”
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