The Patriots' history of drafting lately, before 2025, has been less than stellar, to say the least. Numerous high draft picks could hardly play and contributed to Bill Belichick's firing, along with other monumental gaffes like kicking the best quarterback to the curb.
Unsuccessful draftees like first-round picks, defensive tackle Dominique Easley, wide receiver N'Keal Harry, offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn, guard Cole Strange, and running back Sony Michel dot the landscape. They were joined by second-rounders like wideout Tyquan Thornton, cornerbacks Joejuan Williams, Duke Dawson, Cyrus Jones, and safety Jordan Richards.
The list continues with many third-rounders who also couldn't measure up. Additionally, the team's pre-2025 free agency efforts have also, for the most part, fallen short. Yet, there is one area in which the team has done surprisingly well in scouting: finding gold in the undrafted free agent market. The topic here is one of 2025's class, Efton Chism III.
Efton Chism III continues to receive hype with latest comparison to a Patriots' receiver with Super Bowl pedigree
ESPN's Mike Reiss has an interesting and encouraging comp for one of the Patriots' rookie wide receivers, and an undrafted free agent (UDFA) to boot. Reiss commented on UDFA, Efton Chism III, and his comp for Chism should be music to the ears of Patriot Nation.
"Undrafted free-agent receiver Efton Chism III got extensive work in the slot and also as a punt returner, with quickness and change of direction ability that sparked thoughts of an early-career Danny Amendola-type."
It's a nice observation to hear about the prolific Chism, who broke Cooper Kupp's single-season receptions record at Eastern Washington. If he can even come close to Kupp's production in the NFL, the sky's the limit for the prolific former Eagles' slot receiver.
Let's take a look at his 2024 season to see the impact he made. Then, we'll even go one or two higher in evaluating this slot receiver, who bears the physical profile of an even more productive and esteemed Patriots' Hall of Fame receiver from the recent Super Bowl era.
Efton Chism is a near Julian Edelman clone
Comparing any slot receiver to Julian Edelman usually goes way out on a limb, but maybe not in this case. Chism's size is eerily similar to Edelman's at 5'11" and 200 pounds, as is his production. As Reiss pointed out, the Patriots thought enough of Chism to provide a guaranteed $259K contract. And they had a lot of competition for his services.
In 2024, Chism reeled in 120 passes (a school record) for 1,316 yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games. If it's thrown to the player, he catches it. Drake Maye will be happy to utilize that talent with his mixed bag of receivers in 2024.
Chism is already garnering rave reviews from Boston's best analysts. Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston says he stood out to him at an early OTA, in this NBC Sports Boston YouTube podcast.
RELATED: Mike Vrabel effect led Patriots to win the battle for desirable UDFA receiver
Earlier, Pro Football Focus had pinpointed Chism as their top 2025 college receiver in two categories. They had him tops in slot receiver grades and as their best late-down, aka "clutch" receiver. Chism will be deployed in the slot as Edelman was, and he can be an effective short-range clutch receiver for Drake Maye, including as a check-down outlet.
As the accolades and top-shelf comps mount up for Chism as the offseason workouts and preseason evolve, expect him to make the team's 53-man roster out of camp. Mike Vrabel upgraded the Patriots' wide receiver corps dramatically this offseason. Expect Efton Chism to be one of the most reliable of the bunch as the season progresses, and a superb investment.