Patriots
Chism recorded six receptions for 71 yards in the first half of Saturday’s game.
It’s becoming tougher and tougher for the Patriots to leave wide receiver Efton Chism off the 53-man roster.
The undrafted rookie wide receiver carried the burden for the Patriots’ offense on their final drive of the first half, recording four receptions for 63 yards. The last grab Chism made was a 12-yard touchdown, breaking out of multiple tackles on a catch he made in the flat before running into the end zone.
The catch from Chism immediately impressed the Patriots’ preseason television broadcast booth.
“He just made the football team, guys,” Scott Zolak exclaimed. “He made four guys miss. He squeezed through two [Vikings defenders].
“Whether it’s six or seven [wide receivers], this kid’s on it,” Zolak added.
“It’s hard to argue [that],” Devin McCourty chimed in.
Each of Chism’s three catches earlier in the drive also went for over 10-plus yards. The longest of the three came when Chism made a catch in open space off a play-action pass by Patriots quarterback Josh Dobbs before running for a 33-yard gain to get deep into Vikings territory. Later in the drive, Chism made a catch on third-and-5 to turn a short gain into a first down by spinning out of a tackle and dragging a Vikings defender with him.
Those catches helped give Chism a game-high six receptions for 71 yards before the halftime break. It also made him stand out in the Patriots’ highly competitive wide receiver battle as they debate whether to keep six or seven receivers on the 53-man roster.
Patriots executive player of player personnel Eliot Wolf has been impressed with Chism, with his halftime comments to the Patriots’ TV broadcast signaling that he has a strong chance to make the roster.
“From Day 1, it’s been consistency,” Wolf said when asked what he’s seen from Chism. “He’s really been a hard worker. He’s put in the time. He’s in there every day with wide receivers coach Todd Downing at 5 o’clock in the morning. The fruits of his labor are paying off here.
Wolf added that Chism is “a lot stronger than people give him credit for,” while also pointing to his ability to “work leverage” and “set up his defender at the top of the zone.”
“We’re excited about him,” Wolf said.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, on the other hand, played it cool when he was asked about Chism by sideline reporter Steve Burton, but still tipped his cap to the rookie.
“I think everyone’s here for a reason,” Vrabel sternly said when asked if Chism has caught him by surprise. “He’s certainly made the most of his opportunities. His play strength really shows up.”
Chism’s strong first half came on the heels of his impressive performance in the preseason opener. He had six receptions for 50 yards against the Commanders last week, including a touchdown.
As the Patriots have a 19-year streak of an undrafted rookie making their 53-man roster on cutdown day, Chism is likely making the strongest case to help extend the streak to two decades. He certainly has the support of at least one player who helped contribute to that streak.
“Nothing brings me joy like watching undrafted guys play their ass off in the preseason and go win themselves a job,” former Patriots center David Andrews wrote in a social media post.
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