The New England Patriots had 3,343 receiving yards last season, the least amount in the league, from quarterbacks Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett.
Being on a 4-13 team that was tied for the fifth most sacks allowed in the league and production from only two receivers last season, the Patriots had to make a change entering the first year with Mike Vrabel.
New England went out to sign and draft receivers, but could have an undrafted free agent contribute to their team next season.
Efton Chism III has been named a UDFA on the Pats who can make the final roster, according to Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski.
“A difference exists between timed speed and play speed. To break that down further, a difference exists between top-end speed and short-area quickness. New England Patriots undrafted Efton Chism has plenty of both when it comes to the latter in the previous two sentences,” Sobleski wrote. “Chism is an ideal slot receiver. His skill set harkens back to the Patriots glory days, whether it was Wes Welker, Danny Amendola or Julian Edelman lining up as the team’s inside option.”
“Granted, Demario Douglas and Stefon Diggs can occupy the slot quite often. Even so, Chism has the perfect profile to grow into that role, because of his Sonic the Hedgehog-like initial burst, immediate separation and ability to create after catch. Over the last two seasons, the FCS product caught 204 passes for 2,243 yards and 21 touchdowns.”
Learning From Stefon Diggs
GettyStefon Diggs joins the Patriots after a single season with the Houston Texans.
To lead the Patriots’ wide receiver group, the Patriots signed Stefon Diggs to a three-year deal.
Diggs has been captured dapping up Chism during organized team activities (OTAs).
With the opportunity to learn from a four-time Pro Bowl receiver, Chism can develop his game and have a good chance of making the 53-man roster for the Patriots.
“Just sticking to my process: waking up, getting up early, doing the conditioning, doing lifting,” Chism told reporters on June 10th. “Making sure I’m staying up with the playbook. Making sure I’m still coming out here running routes…”
Chism totaled 1,311 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in his final season at Eastern Washington.
Efton Chism Impressing During Training
GettyNew England Patriots
Efton Chism has gotten the attention of his teammates, coaching staff and the media during offseason training.
The wide receiver has been receiving several targets, including on the first team with Maye at QB.
“I think he’s a talented player. I think he has a certain skill set. He’s dedicated. He’s studied extremely hard. He has a good feel for what we’re asking him to do,” Vrabel said of Chism, via the Boston Herald. “I think the biggest thing for receivers is that there’s trust from the guy that throws the football. When you earn the quarterback’s trust… it doesn’t take you long to figure out who the quarterback trusts. It’s the ones they target. That’s a good indicator.”
The Boston Globe’s Nicole Yang names the undrafted free agent as a player who stood out during the Patriots’ practices so far.
“He seems to have the body type and the skill set to match the typical slot receiver success that has happened in Josh McDaniels’ offense,” Yang said.
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