2 Patriots UDFA Could Have Key Roles After Surviving 53-Man Roster Cuts

The New England Patriots signed two undrafted free agents to be on their 53-man roster, which makes it 20 out of the last 21 seasons that a UDFA survives the cut. Historically, the Patriots have been successful in identifying diamonds in the rough for undrafted free agents.

It all started in 2004 with Randall Gay. Some of the other names that stand out are Brandon Bolden (2012), Kenbrell Thompkins (2013), Malcolm Butler (2014), David Andrews (2015), Jonathon Jones (2016), Adam Butler (2017), JC Jackson (2018), Jakobi Meyers (2019), J.J. Taylor (2020), and Brenden Schooler (2022).

In 2025, the Patriots signed 19 undrafted players to join them for organized team activities and training camp, but only two made the team in wide receiver Efton Chism III and linebacker Elijah Ponder.

With the way the 53-man roster was finalized, both Chism and Ponder should have roles on the team this year. Here is how both players fit on the team and why they made the roster.

1. Efton Chism III, WR

The Patriots finalized their 53-man roster with eight wide receivers. Less than 24 hours after that, they cut two more receivers and now have six on the roster. The two wide receivers out of New England are Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker.

Chism has the archetype (5’10”, 198 lbs.) and skill that thrives in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' attack. It was put on notice during the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he caught four passes for 43 yards and showcased himself as a legitimate offensive weapon.

In college, Chism put himself on the map as a big-time producer at Eastern Washington, where he broke the school record for the most receptions in a season with 120, a record that was previously held by former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp.

Since being with New England, Chism has been a standout player throughout the offseason programs, and it carried right into the preseason by being the team’s leading receiver despite only playing in two games. He ended the exhibition slate with 12 receptions on 14 targets for 121 yards, and he scored two touchdowns. He also returned two punts.

Some Patriots fans view Chism as the next Danny Amendola with how he worked the field in this offense and ran the route tree.

I’d say Chism has looked the part.

2. Elijah Ponder, LB

While with the Patriots all summer, Ponder worked his way up the depth chart and showed that he’s a quick learner. There were moments during training camp when head coach Mike Vrabel worked with Ponder individually, as he did with many other players, but it showed he was going to be someone worth remembering the name for.

In the first preseason game, Ponder made a block that led to TreVeyon Henderson returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Ponder also played on special teams, showing his versatility was also a deciding factor in rostering him.

Greg Bedard of The Boston Sports Journal noted that Ponder had eight “impactful plays” on the defense during training camp, which was the second-most on the team behind Truman Jones.

Ponder spent the last five years at Cal Poly, totaling 167 tackles, 26.5 sacks, eight pass deflections, one interception, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 47 total games. In 2023, Ponder led the Big Sky Conference with 10 sacks and was a First Team All-Big Sky in 2023 and 2024. He specializes in getting in the backfield and making tackles for loss.

Patriots outside linebackers coach Mike Smith said (h/t @PhilAPerry) that Ponder is the best free agent pickup that he’s ever seen.

“He’s got this very rare ability of picking up things quick and look like he’s done it from Day 1," Smith said. "(He) has an extremely bright future. Probably one of the best free agent pickups I’ve ever seen.”

Now, pressure is on for Ponder (and Chism) to sink or swim beneath the Patriots' spotlight.

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