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The New England Patriots reportedly view one particular player as a potential breakout candidate, and it isn't a name that most might be expecting.
According to Patriots insider Greg Bedard, the team has high hopes for second-year edge rusher Elijah Ponder this season. Those hopes couldn't come at a better time, given all of the uncertainty surrounding the team's pass rush as currently constructed.
Ponder had 24 total tackles and four sacks in 15 games as a rookie. He ended up playing a relatively important rotational role on the defensive line, as he logged 24 percent of the snaps. He was also active on special teams. The former undrafted Cal Poly standout could be positioned to take things to another level in 2026.
"So you have Harold Landry, Dre'Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder—who, by the way, the Patriots love Isaiah Ponder. They think that he is going to be something this year. So, let me say that," Bedard said on the Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast.
It wouldn't be a stretch to expect a promising young player like Ponder to make a significant leap in Year 2. He played 215 defensive snaps in total and was able to include four tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, nine hurries and two quarterback hits in addition to the four sacks.
As of right now, the Patriots should have serious questions about second-round draft pick Gabe Jacas, who has yet to sign his rookie contract. Also, their top edge rusher from 2025, Harold Landry III, has been working his way back from injuries.
If there was ever a need for a young edge rusher to break out, it would be this year for the Patriots.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Forgotten Year 2 player viewed by Patriots as 2026 breakout candidate
Continue reading...
According to Patriots insider Greg Bedard, the team has high hopes for second-year edge rusher Elijah Ponder this season. Those hopes couldn't come at a better time, given all of the uncertainty surrounding the team's pass rush as currently constructed.
Ponder had 24 total tackles and four sacks in 15 games as a rookie. He ended up playing a relatively important rotational role on the defensive line, as he logged 24 percent of the snaps. He was also active on special teams. The former undrafted Cal Poly standout could be positioned to take things to another level in 2026.
"So you have Harold Landry, Dre'Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder—who, by the way, the Patriots love Isaiah Ponder. They think that he is going to be something this year. So, let me say that," Bedard said on the Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast.
.@GregABedard isn't panicking over Gabe Jacas being a few steps behind:
"He's not significantly behind for where he's gonna be, unless you had dreams that Gabe Jacas was gonna be this impact rookie, which I think was a complete pipe dream."
NEW Greg Bedard Pod… pic.twitter.com/dVnzYIUbh4
— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) June 16, 2026
It wouldn't be a stretch to expect a promising young player like Ponder to make a significant leap in Year 2. He played 215 defensive snaps in total and was able to include four tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, nine hurries and two quarterback hits in addition to the four sacks.
As of right now, the Patriots should have serious questions about second-round draft pick Gabe Jacas, who has yet to sign his rookie contract. Also, their top edge rusher from 2025, Harold Landry III, has been working his way back from injuries.
If there was ever a need for a young edge rusher to break out, it would be this year for the Patriots.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Forgotten Year 2 player viewed by Patriots as 2026 breakout candidate
Continue reading...
