After a solid performance at the NFL combine, ESPN's John Clayton suggested the Seattle Seahawks should consider Christian Ponder over Jake Locker at No. 25 in the 2011 NFL Draft. Ponder threw well and showed surprising agility at the combine, boosting his stock ahead of April's draft. With the combine over, 2011 NFL mock drafts are being reworked, and at least one person agrees with Clayton.
Over at SB Nation, the latest 2011 NFL mock draft has arrived and Ponder is the pick for the Seahawks. His combine performance and the hope that he's finally healthy have propelled Ponder into the first round, and the fit in Seattle is natural, according to Brian Galliford.
Healthy once again, no quarterback had a more productive Combine workout than Ponder, who might now get late-first consideration. Accurate and very smart, Ponder is a slightly more athletic version of Matt Hasselbeck, and would make a fine successor.
While it appears Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert and, perhaps, Jake Locker will be gone by the time the Seahawks pick, Seattle could have its choice between Ryan Mallett and Ponder. When healthy, Ponder has the potential to be a solid contributor, while Mallett has impressive physical tools and a cannon for an arm.
Check back for the latest in out 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream. For more on the Seahawks, check out SB Nation's Field Gulls.