Patriots' new Head Coach Mike Vrabel has conducted a free agency period and a draft unlike any seen in these parts for quite some time. It's one of the most outstanding off-seasons thus far in recent and maybe not-so-recent memory. What a difference a year makes!
Vrabel has grabbed the bull by the horns and taken command of the whole operation in Foxborough, and it shows. The contrast between last offseason, which, absent drafting Drake Maye, graded an F, is stark to say the least. Vrabel has hit the equivalent of a grand slam off-season home run, and the hits just keep coming.
His latest coup comes in an under-the-radar undrafted free agency (UDFA) signing, a lesser but still valuable component of every NFL offseason. If anyone thinks it doesn't matter, think of the Patriots' legendary center, David Andrews, Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler, and long-time cornerback Jonathan Jones as a few examples of Pats UDFAs who shined. We look at another possibility here.
Pro Football Focus cites a Patriot UDFA wide receiver who excelled in one major statistic
If you haven't heard the name, Efton Chism III, you're not alone. Chism was an under-the-radar Eastern Washington receiver who wasn't drafted. Yet, PFF not only said the Pats have done the best to protect their quarterback this offseason, but they also have singled out a receiver as the best draftable slot receiver in 2025 at this attribute, yards after the catch, YAC.
Here's what PFF had to say about Chism,
"Slot PFF Receiving Grade: WR Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington (90.1)
"While many may not be familiar with Chism’s game, the two-time FCS All-American has an incredible resume of production, particularly when operating out of the slot. When lined up inside last season, Chism racked up the most yards after catch (519) among draft-eligible players, contributing to his incredible 3.19 yards per route run."
If you're looking for a slot receiver who can really motor after the catch, you may just have a find on your hands in Chism. Kudos to the Patriots' staff for uncovering a possible gem of a find. Even if he doesn't pan out, this is exactly the type of UDFA signing you make.
Chism was a one-man wrecking crew for the Eagles in 2024. He racked up 120 catches for 1311 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024—that's no misprint; it's 120 catches last season. Those numbers scream two things.
First, the young man can get open. The technical term the stat guys use is separation ability. he has it in spades. In addition, he actually catches the ball when it's thrown his way, an attribute lacking in the past several years at Gillette Stadium. Let's explore further.
Chism's comp couldn't be any better for the Patriots offense
If you're looking for a receiving comp the past two decades or so for New England, two players stand out among several others. They're the 6'4" Hall-of-Famer, Randy Moss, to whom Chism wouldn't be compared, and one other guy. That would be the ultra-competitive, uber-achieving, tough-as-nails competitor in a smaller body named Julian Edelman.
Like Edelman, Chism is 5'11" tall and weighs about 200 pounds. The physical similarities are striking. Yet, while Edeman played QB in college, Chism has already made his mark as a receiver. The learning curve will be shorter. If the Eastern Washington product can approximate what future Patriots' and should-be Pro Football Hall of Famer Edelman did, it will be an amazing deja vu.
So as PFF notes, expect that when Chism brings in a catch, he'll advance it upfield, better than any other slot receiver (where he'll play) who was draftable in 2024 did. It's a big plus when moving the chains. The Pats' wide receiver room is in transition. It's a wide-open competition. Expect Chism to contend for a place on the 53-man roster and oust underperformers with higher profiles. It's what this young man does.