2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida St
It has been no secret the Jaguars have been very interested in taking a QB this year. After not taking a QB since drafting Byron Leftwich (the longest drought in the NFL), it is certainly time to get new blood at the position. However, this QB crop hasn’t exactly turned out to be what people thought. Andrew Luck stayed in school, Jake Locker never turned the corner as a passer, and in general everyone was kinda of “meh”.
Christian Ponder started this year with a mid-1st round grade thanks to his excellent play recognition and pocket presence. However, he spent the vast majority of 2010 nursing shoulder and elbow injuries. That drug his stock down to the point he was a 3rd/4th rounder in many scout’s eyes. Thanks to a strong Senior Bowl, he is back on the rise and many now expect to see him taken in the 2nd round. Is he worth being dubbed the next franchise QB?
Christian Ponder: By The Numbers
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’2
Weight: 225
According To The Experts
Pros: Very accurate, has a natural feel for the position, high football IQ, possesses elite pocket presence and presnap judgement, high character and work ethic, prior to injuries possessed a nice velocity and zip on throws, played in a pro style offense
Cons: Has spent the last year on the injury report, when injured floated a lot of balls, even when he wasn’t hurt only had an above average arm
Video Killed The Scouting Report
Final Thoughts
If doctors give him the all clear, Christian Ponder may be the safest bet of all the QBs in the year’s draft. In a year dominated by QBs who played in the spread and are being judged by potential, Ponder offers answers where others only offer question marks.
