Efton Chism is doing everything he can to make the Patriots’ receiver math messy.
If he winds up missing New England’s 53-man roster, it won’t be because he coasted through the summer. The second-year wideout has stood out in a crowded room, and that kind of effort is exactly why the Patriots could be staring at some tough cuts when late August arrives.
Wide receivers coach Todd Downing didn’t leave much room for doubt about how packed the position is.
“It’s no secret that we have a pretty deep room,” he told reporters on Sunday.
Chism isn’t pushing for a starting job, but he is very much in the mix as one of seven receivers with a realistic path to making the team. A.J.
Brown, Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas look like roster locks, and Kyle Williams may be in that same category as well. After that, things get murky.
Williams, Kayshon Boutte, Chism and Mack Hollins sit in that next cluster, and the Patriots may not have room for all seven receivers if other parts of the roster force their hand. That leaves the coaching staff with some real decisions to make, and Chism is right in the middle of it.
Downing said the work Chism has put in this offseason has shown up on the field.
“I love where Efton’s at,” said Downing. “He put a really hard offseason in at work and it’s paid off.”
That kind of praise isn’t just coming from the coaching staff. DeMario Douglas sees the same thing, and he drew a comparison to former Patriots captain Jabrill Peppers, whose work ethic made an impression during his time in New England.
“I love that guy, his work ethic,” said Douglas about the second-year wide receiver.
“For me, when I came in, I saw Pep really work hard. My first year, I watched him.
That was the first person I’ve seen really work hard from practice to game and really look the same. It was hard to find somebody like that, who practices just like that.
To watch Chizz, he practices just like it’s a game. That’s great competition.
I’ve always learned that practice has to be like the game, so the game could be easy. And I feel like my guy is pushing me to be better also.”
Chism entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Washington, the same FBS school that produced Cooper Kupp and Kendrick Bourne. He made the most of his first camp and preseason, enough to earn one of just two UDFA spots on the Patriots’ initial roster last year.
His role in the regular season was limited, but he still gave the team something to build on. Chism finished with four catches for 95 yards and a touchdown while working as a reserve.
Now 24, he’s trying to turn that foundation into something more. Downing said the growth has been visible in more than one area.
“Much like Pop, he’s more and more comfortable with some of the decision he’s being asked to make,” added Downing. “It helps him play faster.
And maybe he’s a little bit more comfortable with some defensive recognition, which leads him to some better decisions. I think he’s gotten stronger, and you can see his sturdiness and his route craft and play strength.
That’s been really cool to watch as well.”
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