Every now and then, a general manager hits it big with a diamond in the rough in the NFL draft. One Patriot that comes to mind in that context is Julian Edelman, a college quarterback who turned a seventh-round selection into one of the best careers in franchise history.
If the preseason is any indication, New England football boss Eliot Wolf may have found his own diamond in the rough in Efton Chism, fittingly, in the seventh round.
Wolf certainly struck it big in the early rounds with picks such as Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson, but difference makers can often be found in the draft's homestretch or even within those who went undrafted. While it's difficult to put much stock into preseason stats, Chism's were impressive. He finished the exhibition season with 12 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
While Chism is not Edelman, Wes Welker, or Danny Amendola, he has the makeup and potential to be a quality NFL slot receiver, especially in a Josh McDaniels offense that relies heavily on the performance of inside receivers.
Efton Chism will be the next big undrafted free agent steal
While Henderson has the talent to be the biggest steal of the Patriots' rookie class, Wolf may have struck gold with Chism.
His performance in the second preseason game likely sewed up a roster spot, and Ja'Lynn Polk's season-ending shoulder surgery affirmed that even more.
Every quality NFL team needs the lunch-pail like guy with the chip on his shoulder, and that's the mindset that Chism has brought to the Patriots this preseason. While it remains to be seen if it carries over to the regular season, Wolf and the Patriots have to love what they've seen out of the Eastern Washington product.
Chism averaged more than 10 yards per catch this preseason and showed an ability to make yards after the catch, a trait Patriots' receivers have lacked since Edelman's retirement. Having explosive players like Henderson and Stefon Diggs is crucial to an offense, but you also need guys like Chism and DeMario Douglas who can make catches on 3rd and medium.
Wolf's seat was getting warm after a 4-13 season in 2024, and screwing up the draft would've lit another match. But the Patriots' football boss may have lit a fire into the offense with the pickup of Chism.