It’s almost too perfect that the top singular star of Patriots training camp has been an undrafted, 5-foot-11 slot receiver who has taken the NFL world by storm.
Somewhere, Tom Brady is smiling.
Several players have filled that role for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and the Patriots over the years, with Wes Welker and Julian Edelman the most prominent. There was rarely any doubt where Brady was going with the football on gotta-have-it downs, and New England will try to recreate some of that old-school magic in 2025 with Drake Maye at QB and the ascending DeMario Douglas in the slot.
Douglas could easily end up being New England’s leading receiver this season. Yet fans can’t get enough of his emerging backup — former Eastern Washington star Efton Chism III.
In two preseason games, Chism ranks tied for first in receptions (12), sixth in receiving yards per game (60.5), and tied for first in touchdowns (2). The impressive receiver who hails from the same college program as Cooper Kupp has made the most of every opportunity this summer, rising from likely practice squad stash to 53-man roster lock.
And while fans undoubtedly see shades of Edelman in Chism’s game, the all-time Patriots great weighed in with a different take that could bode well for New England’s new fan-favorite in 2025.
Efton Chism III reminds Juliian Edelman of another Patriots playoff hero
In a recent sit-down with Tom E. Curran’s Patriots Talk Podcast, Edelman compared Chism’s play style more to Danny Amendola than himself.
“I think he reminds me more of ’Dola than he does of me. You know, the way he runs is a little like that. His playing strength is really impressive that I've seen over the last few weeks. He’s had a helluva camp. It’s going to be an interesting decision on what to do with these guys, in that specific receiver room.”
The Amendola comp bodes well for Chism’s future, especially when you consider that Amendola got his start in the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Rams — serving a similar role for that team that Kupp did as a third-round draft pick in 2017. Amendola is a Patriots legend thanks to his clutch performances in the playoffs; in 13 playoff games, he caught 57 passes for 709 yards and six touchdowns, and left Foxboro with two Super Bowl rings.
Similar to Edelman, Amendola did a little bit of everything, including work as a kick and punt returner. To stick on the roster long-term, Edelman believes Chism will have to prove he, too, can be a factor on special teams.
“It’s hard to keep two slot, smaller guys on the receiver corps. But I was doing other things. I was returning kicks… so I was creating value. It’s hard to keep those two slot guys if that’s all they’re going to do.”
Chism has mixed in with defensive back Marcus Jones as New England’s punt returner through two preseason games. His spot on the roster feels about as secure as it gets for 2025, and with McDaniels back at the helm as OC, it’s easy to see history repeating itself for New England’s next star slot receiver in the making.