Undrafted rookie reciever Efton Chism has emerged as a potential factor in an already-tight competition for a spot on the Patriots’ 53-man roster.
Chism earned praise from Patriots quarterback Drake Maye for his play during OTAs, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Chism was effective out of the slot, where he lined up for most of his snaps at Eastern Washington, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He also worked as a punt returner (via Reiss), another role he played in college that could help him make the team.
Chism is one of 12 receivers on the Patriots’ roster; six are expected to make the cut, according to Reiss. Free agent signings Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins should be locks, as should second-round rookie Kyle Williams. Demario Douglas, who led New England’s receiver room in catches and receiving yards last year, is another safe bet.
That leaves 2024 draftees Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker competing with 2023 sixth-rounder Kayshon Boutte and eight-year veteran Kendrick Bourne for the last two spots.
Polk and Baker both disappointed as rookies, but the Patriots’ second-round investment in Polk will likely give him a longer leash than Baker, a fourth-rounder. Boutte’s 589 receiving yards in 2024 ranked third on the team, while Bourne has not eclipsed 450 yards since 2021 with just 20 games played in the last two years. That would suggest that Polk and Boutte have the inside track heading into training camp, a view shared by Chad Graff of The Athletic.
After turning heads during spring practices, Chism will need to sustain his momentum into training camp – literally, with the introduction of pads and contact. Carving out a role in the slot on offense and as a returner on special teams will be crucial to the undrafted rookie’s chances of making the 53-man roster.
Bourne should be traded…….
I think most of us like to root for the underdog UDFAs but could Chism really be another Cooper Kupp (also played for Eastern Washington)?
TL/DR Summary:
Random player has some nonzero probability of making an NFL roster, but probably won’t.
Film at 11.
Is this a “fill the quota” or “freshen the page” thing? I didn’t see any news.
Maybe a football transactions site in July isn’t for you?
I say cut or trade Bourne after camp. Baker is dispensable too
I think the Pats shopped Bourne before but no team had suffered enough injuries at WR to take an interest. That might change while training camps are in progress but the return would not be much anyway.
Yeah something for him is a W. He hasn’t done much and they have younger cheaper talent anyway. I think Diggs and Kyle can do solid things. Polk needs redemption he was a massive dud last year. Again baker is disposable imo. Boutte and Douglas both showed flashes.
I think they’ll go with 7 WRs: Diggs, Hollins, Williams, Douglas, Chism, Boutte and Polk. If they can get anything from Boutte, they’ll trade him and go with 6. Bourne is gone. I think Baker could be a good WR3 (maybe even an ok WR2) in the NFL, but I unfortunately don’t think it’ll be with the Pats.
Chism is destined to be a Patriot. They love the undrafted, no name school, wide receivers. It’s almost like they get a guy who their fan base can identify with. No different than Vince Papale in Philly years ago. Love those stories of guys in the NFL.