Efton Chism III continues to climb the depth chart as an undrafted rookie, making his case for a roster spot and making it hard for the Patriots not to keep him on the team.
The rookie wide receiver has shown to have a firm grasp of New England’s offensive system with Josh McDaniels. Through two preseason games, Chism has recorded 12 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
In camp and during practice, Chism has only seen run with the second string offense that’s mostly led by Joshua Dobbs. He still hasn’t worked with the first string offense yet, but it’s looking like that could happen sooner than later after his success in these preseason games.
The important part of Chism’s game that has given him success with the Patriots is that he knows how to get open, maybe more importantly, he knows how to read the field and that’s essential for a slot receiver in a McDaniels offense.
Not every receiver is able to find the soft spot in a defense, believe it or not. It takes time to develop a skill like that and then become comfortable enough to do it. Chism arrived in New England with those skills already sharpened from when he was a star at Eastern Washington, he told reporters after the game.
“I feel like it just comes with playing a lot of football. Starting in the eighth-grade, I didn’t have that right away, but then like, always being around it, always watching it, you kind of pick up things, and then going out there and applying it to the field as soon as you can.”
That said, Chism arrived already knowing half the battle as a receiver, the other half was learning the Patriots’ playbook. So far in two preseason games, it’s fair to say that Chism has a great understanding of the playbook.
After the game, head coach Mike Vrabel praised the undrafted rookie wide receiver, saying that his production is a real thing.
“It doesn’t matter how you get here. The only thing that matters is what you do when you’re here and I think that’s another great example of that. Chiz, when given the opportunities he’s taken advantage of them. We’ve talked about his play strength last week, and that continued to be true this week.”
Chism is taking advantage of every opportunity that he gets on the field, including on special teams as a punt returner. He’s returned one punt in both of the preseason games for a total of 20 yards and he hasn’t returned a kickoff yet but it’s possible that he will mix in with that too in the near future.
After the Patriots signed Chism in April, I predicted that he would make the roster because he checks all of the boxes for a slot receiver in the McDaniels offense. Four months later I still feel the same way about the rookie receiver, perhaps even stronger than I originally did now that I’ve seen him work the McDaniels scheme.
Efton Chism dominating in the Josh McDaniels offense was inevitable after his star career at Eastern Washington.
— Justin Trombino (@Trombino20) August 17, 2025
On Saturday, Chism had 6 rec., 71 yards, 1 TD (6 targets). #Patriots pic.twitter.com/Oeqw8bx8Ym
After two preseason games, I’d have to say that Chism solidified his status on the 53-man roster for the Patriots this season.