Undrafted rookie WR makes strong roster case in Patriots debut.

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From the same small-school pipeline that produced Cooper Kupp, Efton Chism III is making his own NFL case — and his Patriots debut was a promising first chapter.

The undrafted wide receiver product of Eastern Washington led the Patriots in receptions, yards, and targets in a 48–18 win over the Washington Commanders last Friday, hauling in six passes on eight targets for 50 yards and a touchdown.

It was the kind of performance that turns heads in August and strengthens a case for a spot on the 53-man roster, even in a wide receiver room as crowded as New England’s.

Chism’s night was defined by determination as much as production. He fought through contact, snagged a tipped ball, and sustained a screen pass long enough to pick up extra yards — all traits that stood out to head coach Mike Vrabel.

“I think his play strength stood out to me, just from the sideline,” Vrabel said after the game. “I think it’s the way he blocks, his ability to catch the ball in traffic. The ball was basically tipped or bobbled coming out of Ben’s [Wooldridge] hand, kind of ran through a tackle, ran through contact, and we threw him a screen. So, those are all positive things. I think his play strength to me is what stood out.”

For Chism, that praise carried weight.

“I think anytime you get a compliment from the head coach, it’s definitely an honor,” Chism said. “So, I appreciate that from him. But I feel like just playing hard, that’s kind of what I pride myself on and the little details and going out there and doing everything I can to my full ability. So, I felt like when I got the ball, I got to show that.”

Chism arrived in Foxborough in May, fresh off a record-setting college career. Through five seasons at Eastern Washington, he totaled 342 receptions for 3,795 yards and 37 touchdowns, breaking the program’s single-season reception record in 2024 with 120 catches for 1,311 yards and 13 touchdowns — surpassing a mark once held by Kupp.

His NFL debut delivered the kind of moment every rookie dreams of.

In the third quarter, and facing a 4th-and-1 inside the red zone, quarterback Ben Wooldridge’s pass fluttered after his arm was hit, yet Chism came down with it, shook off a defender, and powered into the end zone from 11 yards out.

Later, with 28 seconds remaining in the third quarter and the Patriots leading 34–11, he hauled in a screen pass from Wooldridge on 1st-and-20, slicing through defenders and powering inside the five for a first down.

“I knew it was coming to me, and knew I had to get vertical to go try to get the first down,” Chism said. “I don’t exactly remember what down it was, but I wanted to just kind of get vertical, let the lineman get out there, block for me, and kind of just go make things happen.”

The debut performance was just the latest entry in an impressive training camp résumé. Earlier in the week, Chism made a highlight-reel one-handed touchdown grab in a red-zone drill, sprinting to the back pylon and snatching a Josh Dobbs pass in the corner of the end zone.

“It’s been the biggest blessing, the biggest honor to be here to play in the National Football League,” Chism said. “I’m not taking it for granted, I hope the guys in locker room aren’t either.”

Even though he didn’t catch a pass from quarterback Drake Maye on Friday, Maye made a point to praise the rookie’s effort from the sideline.

“He’s a baller,” Maye said. “Glad he got in the end zone and then almost could’ve got in the endzone again on the screen. He got chased down. But I think just blocking hard, doing all the right things, I think that’s kind of what we’re preaching [to] the offensive room. You keep doing things the right way and keep showing up, you’re gonna get rewarded.”

Chism still faces stiff competition for a roster spot, with receivers like Stefon Diggs, Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, John Jiles, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jeremiah Webb, and Kyle Williams all vying for spots — though some are obvious locks.

But after one preseason game, he’s no longer just another name on the depth chart. He’s a name worth watching.

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