Efton Chism starting his own route to Patriots’ roster with spring statement

The UDFA was one of the team’s most productive receivers this spring.

When New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel first addressed his team this spring , his message was clear: “We don’t care how you got here.”

Throughout the team’s offseason program, that message has especially rung true for wide receiver Efton Chism III.

Despite a highly productive collegiate career in the FCS at Eastern Washington — where Chism broke Cooper Kupp’s record by tallying a catch in 53 straight games — the receiver went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft with his collegiate competition level and 4.71-second 40-yard dash hurting his stock.

But interest in the shifty receiver remained as a handful of teams lined up for his services in undrafted free agency. That included the Patriots, who outbid the competition with a deal that featured $234,000 in guaranteed base salary, along with a $25,000 signing bonus.

It was the richest deal among the Patriots’ 16-member undrafted class and even tops the team’s seventh-round draft picks in guaranteed money.

“I loved my process with Coach Downing, Coach McDaniels, and Coach Vrabel,” said Chism. “They made it feel like they wanted me throughout the whole process, so I’d say that was probably the biggest thing.”

Beyond the connection made with the staff and guarantees committed, the allure of the franchise — and history of similar receivers under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels — led Chism to making the cross-country trip to Foxboro to continue his football career.

“Just the history of being a Patriot. When you look at the Patriots, it’s one of the best and most known sports franchises in the world,” he said. “So when you get to represent something special like that, I think it was an honor.”

Since arriving to New England in late April, Chism has gotten to work watching the likes of Julian Edelman, Wes Welker, Danny Amendola and other former Patriot slot receivers. The similarities are easy to see for the 5-foot-10 receiver who posted elite testing numbers in the short shuttle and three-cone drill prior to the draft.

That was just part of the work this spring as Chism looked to start building his path toward a 53-man roster spot.

Following spring practices, Chism was consistently the last player off the field as he stays to work the JUGS machines. He also has had plenty of early morning flashcard work in order to help learn and adapt to a McDaniels’ offense that has been tough on young receivers in the past.

“It’s been awesome just getting to learn a NFL offense, especially his because it’s such a special and unique thing. Coach McDaniels is a highly respected OC, so I’m trying to do everything I can to learn it the best I can and adapt to it and go out there and play 100 percent,” Chism said. “Just grinding it. I’m here late, I’m up early, doing it all—looking at flashcards. I’m a big flashcards guy.

“There’s complex ones, simple ones. I’ve got a bunch of different stacks—formations, plays, a bunch of different things. It’s always worked for me. I like to wake up in the morning and do it so my mind’s always ready to go. I always got them with me in my bag so I’m always prepared.”

The work translated to early success off the field, as Chism was New England’s most active pass catcher in competitive team work during five open spring practices to the media hauling in 15 total receptions. His route running ability provided headaches for any cornerback aligned opposite of him and by the end of organized team activities the UDFA was sharing the field with Drake Maye at times.

The franchise QB, and head coach, took notice.

“Chis had about 50 catches, I feel like, in OTAs,” said Maye.

“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 later added. “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 – any one of them that we have, any one of the three – it doesn’t take you long to figure out who the quarterback trusts. It’s the ones they target. That’s a good indicator.”

As the spring performances felt beneficial to Chism, the receiver knows plenty of work remains for him to earn a spot on the Patriots final 53-man roster later this offseason. With training camp starting in late July, the 23-year-old plans to stick to his routine over the next five weeks.

He also plans on going back to watch more games of those former Patriots wide receivers — specifically taking note of how they would get open against man coverage.

“Just to go through a bunch of seasons, watch a bunch of games, and see how they did it,” he said. “Because it’s pretty much the same offense, a lot of the same stuff. So just see how they did it and try to develop that into my game.”

Chism will rely on that work to replicate his spring success in the summer as the pads come on in training camp and preseason games kick off. In a crowded Patriots wide receiver room, he will need to continue to standout to earn a roster spot over recent draft picks at the position.

But as Vrabel has made clear, the game does not care when you were drafted or where you are from.

“I’m here now. I’ve got the opportunity, and I’m just thankful and blessed for it,” Chism said. “With all the work I’m putting in, I feel more confident in myself and in the offense. Got to keep sticking to it.”