After choosing not to draft a wide receiver from this year's class, the assumption was that the Patriots knew they were going to successfully trade for AJ Brown this summer, therefore they didn't need to add another player at the position through the draft.
While that's still the assumption in the days following, there is still a chance that a deal doesn't come together. On top of that, the team did sign a few pass catchers as undrafted free agents, so the desire to upgrade the receiving corps is still there.
Because of that, those returning for the 2026 season are immediately put on notice, and according to insider Chad Graff, there is one specific player that is the most likely to be booted for one of those new signings, someone Patriots fans won't be too thrilled to hear.
Since he was signed as a UDFA last year, Efton Chism has become a fan favorite for his explosiveness in the preseason and his comparison to other smaller slot receivers that came before him in New England, such as Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman.
Unfortunately, he's already predicted to be cast aside for a new undrafted player just one year later.
Kyle Dixon is already predicted to steal a roster spot from returning Patriots receiver
Among the more notable UDFA signings of the past week, the Patriots brought in receiver Kyle Dixon, an impressive pass catcher with good size and special teams experience that could immediately make him more valuable than others fighting for a spot on the roster.
That's part of why Graff predicts he will push out a player like Chism to make the 2026 team, and while that would be disappointing for many fans, he might be a better option in the long run.
"We also have Dixon nabbing the last spot on the roster after he landed $252,500 in guaranteed money from the Patriots, the third-highest amount they’ve ever paid an undrafted player. He will need some development, but he has intriguing traits (he’s 6-foot-4 and recorded a 40 1/2-inch vertical leap) and can contribute on special teams while backing up Hollins."
Although he needs to get acclimated to the NFL and still has room to develop, as Graff mentioned, the same was said about Chism last year, and he thrived during the preseason. The problem was, and always will be, his size, which limits him, and while he should be given more chances to show what he can do, the Patriots haven't shown they're all that interested in doing so just yet.
They might be more inclined to do so for Dixon, because of his athleticism and the fact that he's 6-foot-4. Backing up Mack Hollins would mean they could eventually use him in his role, after Hollins' contract is up, and we've already seen how much he's been utilized by Drake Maye in just one year.
If Dixon impresses this summer, it's easy to believe Graff's prediction could come true. We'll have to wait and see, but the UDFA has a good opportunity to steal a spot if he can steal the spotlight this summer.
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