Peter King is the latest NFL draft observer to suggest that Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder could go in the first round, tweeting: “Eight days before the draft, this is the hot guy at the bottom of round one: FSU QB Christian Ponder.”
But Ponder won’t be a fit for every team. His arm strength is considered to be only average and he struggles throwing the deep ball. But he has good athleticism, a high football IQ and is very accurate, making him a solid fit for the West Coast Offense. With that in mind, below are seven potential landing spots for Ponder as the draft approaches.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals will run new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden’s version of the WCO and with the uncertainty surrounding Carson Palmer’s return next year, Ponder is a logical fit for Cincinnati. That said, the Bengals obviously aren’t going to take him with the No. 4 pick. They could trade down, but it would make more sense for them to either wait and hope he falls to them at No. 35 or trade back into the late first round and take Ponder there.
Minnesota Vikings
Under new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, the Vikings will run a version of the WCO with elements of the vertical passing game and strong rushing attack a la the scheme Mike Mularkey runs in Atlanta. Given some of the things that head coach Leslie Frazier has said this offseason, you get the sense that Minnesota will draft and start a rookie this season. They won’t take Ponder at No. 12 but they are a candidate to trade back into the first round.
San Francisco 49ers
If you read between the lines, the Niners’ game plan under new head coach Jim Harbaugh is this: Re-sign Alex Smith to a one-year deal, draft a quarterback in one of the first two rounds and groom him to start in 2012. Like many of the teams on this list, the 49ers won’t draft Ponder with their first pick (No. 7 overall) but are in position to move up into the late first round.
Washington Redskins
I have Blaine Gabbert falling to the Skins at No. 10 in my latest mock, although that might be a stretch. If Gabbert doesn’t fall and Washington winds up either trading down or addressing another position at No. 10, then they could look at Ponder either late in the first or hope he falls to them in the second. It’s pretty obvious that Donovan McNabb won’t be back next season and Ponder would be a fit for Shanahan’s WCO. Rex Grossman, who Shanahan adores, could start next season and groom Ponder for 2012. The problem is that Washington doesn’t have a third round pick, so trading up could prove to be difficult.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are an intriguing fit for Ponder because they would be in position to take him at No. 25 and therefore wouldn’t have to trade back into the first round like some of these other teams on this list would. The Hawks apparently want to bring Matt Hasselbeck back, but his career is winding down and there doesn’t appear to be a lot of trust that Charlie Whitehurst could potentially be “the guy” down the road. That said, many pundits are mocking Jake Locker to Seattle at No. 25, which is certainly a logical fit if he falls.
Tennessee Titans
Vince Young’s days in Tennessee are numbered and while Kerry Collins is a free agent, the Titans could bring him back on a one-year deal and groom his replacement for 2012. With the No. 8 overall pick, the Titans could go defense and then trade back into round one for someone like Ponder. There’s a good chance that with their first two picks next week, the Titans could land an impact defensive player and their future signal caller.
Arizona Cardinals
I don’t like this fit as much as other draft observers, but I’ll list the Cards because of their obvious need at quarterback. Considering Ken Whisenhunt likes to spread things out in his offense, I don’t think Ponder is an ideal fit but there’s a good chance that Arizona will take a QB in one of the first two rounds, which is why I have them listed here.
