The New England Patriots are entering another pivotal season in their storied franchise’s evolution, a time when fresh blood, untapped potential, and subtle glimmers of greatness matter more than ever in a rapidly shifting NFL landscape. As new head coach Jerod Mayo attempts to forge a new identity and return the franchise to contention following the twilight of the Bill Belichick era, stories of determination and talent at the margins are starting to bubble to the surface. And right now, there may be no better example of that quiet but meaningful buzz than undrafted rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III.
As the Patriots attempt to solidify their depth chart and uncover gems from the undrafted pool, one voice that’s carried weight in evaluating early offseason action is Taylor Kyles of CLNS Media. Kyles, a well-respected Patriots analyst known for his sharp breakdowns and nuanced scouting reports, recently gave one of the most ringing endorsements to Chism among the team’s young wideouts. His words were not only technically specific but layered with the kind of praise that isn’t handed out lightly. “Efton Chism is buried behind the veterans,” Kyles observed, “but he looks like an NFL WR—little wasted movement, suction in the hands, quick on the field—and has been the Patriots’ most consistent young WR besides Pop Douglas.”
That quote, concise as it is, opens up a wide discussion about what makes Chism’s early presence on the field so noteworthy. Because when a player goes undrafted, there’s usually a litany of reasons that teams justify—height, speed, school reputation, production versus competition level, even personality fit. But every year, a handful of UDFAs break the mold. They show up with a toolkit that’s either been undervalued or underdeveloped and start making a case from Day One. And with Chism, the case being made right now hinges on precision, hands, intentionality, and quickness. In a league where route running and separation can mean everything—especially in a system historically predicated on timing like New England’s—those traits may be his ticket.
To understand what’s happening in Foxborough with Efton Chism III, it’s worth exploring who he is and how he arrived here in the first place. Coming out of Eastern Washington, Chism was known for being a cerebral and reliable receiver. He played in a pass-heavy system that demanded spatial awareness and consistent execution, which allowed him to accumulate solid production across multiple seasons. While he wasn’t regarded as a top-tier draft prospect in a class loaded with athletic freaks and Power Five darlings, there were traits that stood out to scouts who looked deeper. His hands, for one, have been frequently described as “sticky.” That’s not a term thrown around loosely in football circles. It suggests trustworthiness. Suction, as Taylor Kyles described them, paints the same picture—hands that catch everything within reach, that naturally absorb the football without double catches or unnecessary bobbles. That kind of reliability is exactly what coaches and quarterbacks crave, particularly in a league where the margins for error shrink by the week.
Then there’s the intentionality in Chism’s game—a phrase Kyles used that deserves unpacking. When scouts or analysts speak about intentionality, they’re usually referring to a player who plays with purpose, every movement calculated, every release at the line done with a reason, every cut made in anticipation of what a defender will do next. Intentionality is the opposite of freelancing. It means understanding leverage, the nuances of how to set up a defender, the rhythm of the quarterback, and how to manipulate zone coverage. It’s more common in polished veterans, which is precisely why it’s so striking when it appears in a UDFA still trying to make the team.
The comparison to Pop Douglas—one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal 2023 season for the Patriots offense—also isn’t trivial. Douglas proved himself as a dynamic playmaker from the slot, someone who could create separation, catch in traffic, and occasionally make something out of nothing. If Chism is being evaluated as the most consistent young wideout after him, that’s high praise. It places Chism ahead, at least in the early going, of other recent additions and holdovers competing for roster spots.
But for all the praise being lavished on Chism in shorts and helmets, the next frontier is perhaps the most critical—pads. There’s a long-running joke in NFL circles that some players are “All-Pro in shorts.” They dominate 7-on-7 drills, run crisp routes, and flash elite hands, only to disappear once the physicality of real football enters the equation. That’s not to say Chism can’t hold his own once contact is introduced, but it’s the next test. Because NFL corners press, jam, redirect, and hit. Routes get thrown off, timing gets disrupted, and receivers who don’t have elite play strength or suddenness often fade. That’s why Kyles himself added an important qualifier: “I’m curious to see how that translates into pads.”
And that’s where the storyline truly gets interesting. Because if Chism’s game does translate—if that intentionality carries over when he’s being jammed at the line or bracketed in zone, and if his hands still function as vacuum-like when linebackers are lurking and safeties are closing—then the Patriots may have something special on their hands. Not a WR1, maybe not even a WR2 this year, but a meaningful contributor on a team desperately in need of playmakers.
Consider the current wide receiver room. JuJu Smith-Schuster has yet to recapture the form that made him a 1,400-yard receiver in Pittsburgh. Kendrick Bourne is coming off injury and remains an enigma in terms of consistency. Tyquan Thornton, a former second-round pick, has flashed speed but struggled with durability and route development. K.J. Osborn and Jalen Reagor, both offseason additions, remain question marks in terms of fit and production. Pop Douglas seems like a long-term slot piece, but beyond him, there’s real opportunity. And Chism’s polish and hunger are carving out a sliver of that opportunity early.
That opportunity becomes even more compelling when you factor in how the Patriots are evolving offensively. With Alex Van Pelt stepping in as the new offensive coordinator, New England is expected to install a more structured, quarterback-friendly scheme similar to what Van Pelt helped orchestrate in Cleveland. That system requires precise timing, dependable receivers who can separate with route running rather than pure athleticism, and wideouts who can read coverages on the fly. Players like Chism, who thrive on timing, technique, and intentionality, fit that mold far better than someone who relies purely on athleticism.
And there’s another intangible at play: hunger. Players like Chism don’t take anything for granted. They understand the margin is razor-thin. They’re not owed anything and come to work every day with the urgency of someone trying to rewrite the script that 32 teams collectively wrote by passing on them during the draft. That mindset creates a different level of competition in practice and often leads to standout performances in preseason games—where the lights are on, and roster spots are truly won or lost.
As the Patriots enter training camp and the pads come on, all eyes won’t necessarily be on Chism—at least not from the outside world. But inside the facility, where reps are charted, routes are dissected frame-by-frame, and every catch or drop gets magnified in film sessions, Chism will have ample opportunity to force the conversation. If he continues to stack days—something coaches stress relentlessly—and begins making plays in full-team drills and joint practices, he may go from a feel-good camp story to a surprise addition on the 53-man roster.
And should that happen, it would be a testament not only to Chism’s own preparation and skillset but also to the Patriots’ ability to identify underappreciated talent and develop it. The organization may be in transition, but the tradition of maximizing late-round or undrafted players runs deep. Julian Edelman was a quarterback-turned-slot-receiver who became a Super Bowl MVP. Malcolm Butler was a UDFA who etched his name into NFL history. Jakobi Meyers came from a similar undrafted background and emerged as a top target before cashing in elsewhere.
Efton Chism III may not be a household name yet. He may not be getting top billing on national broadcasts or fantasy football watch lists. But ask those who watch closely—those who understand that games are won with depth, execution, and detail—and they’ll tell you Chism is on the radar for a reason. His tape, even in early practices, demands a second look. His hands aren’t just sticky—they’re elite. His movement isn’t flashy—it’s efficient. And his routes aren’t chaotic—they’re crafted.
If his game continues to evolve once the hits start coming, then the Patriots may not just have a camp darling. They may have a real player. One who, despite being buried behind veterans, is already showing signs that he belongs. And maybe—just maybe—is ready to break out once the spotlight finds him.
