FOXBORO — Patriots undrafted rookie pass rusher Elijah Ponder has continued to “wow” outside linebackers coach Mike Smith throughout the season.

Smith said in August that Ponder, who made the 53-man roster as a rookie free agent out of Cal Poly, was “probably one of the best (undrafted) free agent pickups” he’s ever seen.

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Ponder has seen his workload increase since the Patriots traded Keion White to the 49ers, and he has two sacks in his last three games.

“He’s (a) kid that’s smart for his age. He’s well above a rookie,” Smith said. “He still has got those rookie stuff that you’ll see when you’re like, ‘what the heck were you thinking?’ He just moves like a vet. He’s very smooth. He’s strong. He’s starting to understand the leverage and stuff.

“Sometimes I just watch

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