Christian Ponder

Christian Ponder

36-Year-Old QuarterbackQB
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Christian Ponder in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the 49ers in August of 2016.
Promoted to backup
QBSan Francisco 49ers
December 18, 2016
Ponder was promoted to serve as Colin Kaepernick's backup prior to Sunday's loss to Atlanta, CSN Bay Area reports.
ANALYSIS
Ponder has spent the entire regular season as the 49ers' inactive third quarterback. With the club receiving inconsistent play under center between Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert, the coaching staff may be inching towards giving the former first-rounder a look in the final game or two. No official change has been announced, but if Ponder were to receive playing time, he would be a low-upside fantasy option due to his reputation as a "game manager."
Read More News
NFL Stats
Loading NFL Stats...
Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
Loading Fantasy/Red Zone Stats...
Advanced NFL Stats
Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2016
2016 NFL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
Standard
PPR
Half PPR
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Loading Game Log...
2024 Christian Ponder Split Stats
Loading NFL Split Stats...
Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Christian Ponder's measurables compare to other quarterbacks?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 2"
 
Weight
230 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.63 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.09 sec
 
Vertical Jump
34.0 in
 
Broad Jump
116 in
 
Hand Length
10.25 in
 
Arm Length
32.13 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Christian Ponder See More
East Coast Offense: The Giants Were Right to Draft Saquon Barkley
October 16, 2018
Chris Liss argues Barkley is already the best back in the NFL and worth the No. 2 pick given the particular quarterbacks available.
East Coast Offense: How Much Do Quarterbacks Matter?
October 24, 2017
Tom Brady is living up to his billing, but many other name-brand quarterbacks are giving way to surprising upstarts like Jared Goff, Deshaun Watson and Alex Smith
NFL Game Previews: Breaking Down Week 17
December 31, 2016
Erik Siegrist looks at the regular season's final games, including an NFC North title clash that features Matthew Stafford and the Lions hosting the Packers.
NFL Game Previews: Breaking Down Monday Night
December 22, 2016
Erik Siegrist previews the Monday night showdown between the Cowboys and Lions, with rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott expected to continue to shine.
Weekly Rankings: Week 16 Value Meter
December 20, 2016
Championship Week! After what appeared to be two dreadful quarterback weeks, the matchups appear to look better this week.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
The Raiders signed Ponder to a one-year deal earlier this offseason after four disappointing seasons in Minnesota. He will serve as the back-up quarterback behind Derek Carr and barring any injuries, it's unlikely that he'll receive much playing time.
Ponder was less than stellar in 2013, throwing nine interceptions compared to just seven touchdowns. He was replaced part way through the year by Matt Cassel, who will begin the season at the top of the depth chart. The Vikings also picked up Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater with the last pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, so there will certainly be some clammoring for the rookie to get a chance, as well. Ponder likely fits in somewhere on the sideline this season, at least for part of it, so he probably won't be of much value outside the deepest fantasy leagues.
One problem with Ponder is he's probably not going to see the workload needed to be relevant to fantasy owners. He threw just 483 passes in 16 games last season, and his YPA dropped to 6.1 from 6.4 in his rookie year. Of course, Adrian Peterson is there to take off some heat, and the additions of Greg Jennings and first-rounder Cordarrelle Patterson should more than replace nine games of the departed Percy Harvin. But Ponder would need to take a seismic leap to be even an average NFL signal caller. He does have some running ability – 253 yards and two scores last year – but not enough to move the needle given his overall profile.
With a quick release, solid instincts and rare running ability, Ponder has the skill set to become a Jeff Garcia sort of quarterback if he shows improvement. The 2011 12th overall pick threw for 1,853 yards (6.4 YPA) and 13 each of touchdowns and interceptions last year – figures that are generally promising when you take into account how weak his offensive line and receivers were. He also proved to be a skilled runner, averaging 7.8 yards per rush as he took off for 219 yards. The addition of fourth overall pick Matt Kalil gives Ponder an elite left tackle prospect to boost his protection, while fourth-round wideouts Greg Childs and Jarius Wright provide two more promising targets at receiver. That said, due to the potential absence and limited effectiveness of Adrian Peterson (ACL, MCL) and Ponder’s own durability concerns, a step forward in Year 2 is far from guaranteed.
After surprising many people by taking him with the 12th pick overall in the 2011 Draft, the Vikings covered themselves slightly by trading two sixth-round picks for Donovan McNabb, lessening the chances that Ponder would start from day one. Ponder has shoulder durability issues, but he also is a mechanically sound player with good accuracy and above average athleticism. If he somehow replaces McNabb as the starter (which is unlikely), he’d have a pretty talented supporting cast centered around Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson. Minnesota got a lot of criticism for taking him 12th overall, but Ponder has the skill set to be a good NFL starter; it just may not be this season.
More Fantasy News
Chance to start if team makes QB change
QBSan Francisco 49ers
October 7, 2016
A locker room source said that "Ponder is the best quarterback on the roster," CSN Bay Area reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Makes strong case for roster spot Thursday
QBSan Francisco 49ers
September 2, 2016
Ponder completed eight of his 14 pass attempts for 101 yards in Thursday's preseason finale. While he didn't throw a touchdown, he rushed for two scores to seal a win for the 49ers.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Survives first round of roster cuts
QBSan Francisco 49ers
August 31, 2016
Ponder remains on the 49ers' 75-man roster in advance of Thursday's preseason finale against the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Looks good in debut Saturday
QBSan Francisco 49ers
August 21, 2016
Ponder completed seven of eight passes for 86 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos on Saturday. He also added 21 yards and another touchdown on two carries.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Signs with 49ers
QBSan Francisco 49ers
August 16, 2016
Ponder signed a one-year contract with the 49ers on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.