Efton Chism III has put himself in position to stick with the New England Patriots again, and this time his value may stretch beyond what he’s doing at wide receiver.
One year after making the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent, Chism is back in the same conversation after a strong second summer in the NFL. He has already flashed in the preseason, catching seven passes for 65 yards over the Patriots’ first two games against the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles. With Kayshon Boutte traded to the Houston Texans, Chism now sits in a top-six wideout spot that looks about as secure as it gets.
But the offensive production is only part of the picture.
The former Eastern Washington standout has also carved out a role on special teams, working at punt returner, getting 16 yards on one return against the Eagles, and taking reps as a top option in kick return. He’s even been used as the personal protector on the punt unit, a spot the Patriots have rotated through several players this offseason.
That versatility has only boosted his standing. Chism’s route to more snaps in the slot has been helped by the fact that he can handle work in the game’s third phase, too.
“It’s great, man,” special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer said Tuesday. “He comes to work every day, he’s a pro’s pro, and that’s the reason why he continues to progress where he’s at.”
Springer pointed out that several Patriots have taken turns at personal protector this offseason, including safeties Dell Pettus, Mike Brown and Peter Manuma. Chism, though, has stood out as a different kind of option.
“I just think you’d like a guy that has some conviction back there, a guy that can run a huddle and is smart,” Springer said. “(A guy) that can see things and adjust on the fly, and I think he’s got that, and he’s a good blocking receiver for us. As I see that, it’s good to put guys where their strengths are at.”
Chism already showed what he can do in that phase last year. During the regular season, he returned 16 kicks for 383 yards, both team highs. He still doesn’t have the kick return job sewn up, but his approach heading into the final preseason game has stayed the same.
“Yeah, I think just because it’s the last week, it shouldn’t change your mindset and the way you work - so, I’m just going to continue to attack it and continue to give everything I have, no matter what the circumstances are,” Chism said after the Eagles win.
“Since it’s the last week, everyone knows it’s going to be a big week. But like I said, it shouldn’t change your mindset and the way you attack your work.”
Even if his offensive role shrinks once the regular season starts, Chism could still matter plenty over the next few months because of what he can do on special teams.
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There is also the financial side of the deal, since Bouttes contract structure created salary cap savings for New England. For a team that is still sorting through how it wants to build out both sides of the roster, the trade checks more than one box, and it suggests the Patriots saw a chance to add a player they liked while giving themselves a little more flexibility as they move forward. [Read more 🡒]