Source + player page

Pats Pulpit fantasy football takes on Efton Chism

Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Pats Pulpit about Efton Chism.

80
Insights
61
Positive
6
Negative
Insight ledger

All Pats Pulpit insights about Efton Chism

PositiveUsageOct 22, 2026
Efton Chism will continue to see more snaps as he fulfills the Mack Hollins role, providing a higher-volume opportunity. However, targets remain a question mark: Chism ran just 10 routes on 42 snaps last week, resulting in only one target, suggesting route participation does not yet translate to target volume. The source leans toward Chism seeing more targets due to the nature of his higher-volume role, but execution and quarterback decision-making will determine actual production.
PositiveRoleOct 11, 2026
Undrafted rookie WR earning QB Drake Maye's trust through consistent work ethic and film study; caught both targets in Buffalo including game-winning TD on critical drive; staying late after practice nearly every day and seeking out Maye at odd hours to watch film together; defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr noted approximately 50 standout plays from Chism's scout team work; offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels praised his work ethic and character as 'pro's pro' level since arrival; positioned to see increased opportunities with A.J. Brown and Mack Hollins on injured reserve.
PositiveBreakoutOct 7, 2026
Chism made one of the early catch-of-the-year candidates last Sunday in Buffalo, fully extending with one hand to haul in the game-winning touchdown. With A.J. Brown on injured reserve through at least next week and Mack Hollins (calf) sidelined, Chism is set to see increased opportunities. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye complimented Chism's intelligence and positioning, noting he's always in the right spot—a trait Maye described as reassuring for a quarterback. Maye and Chism stay after practice nearly every day to bank reps, and Maye is ready to see what Chism can do with a bigger role, saying "He's fearless" and "doing a lot of the little things."
PositiveRoleOct 6, 2026
Efton Chism is earning expanded opportunities in the Patriots offense following his connection with Drake Maye. Alex Barth identifies '2 reasons Efton Chism could be looking at a bigger role on the offense,' and Mike Vrabel stated 'Efton Chism III has earned more opportunities,' adding 'contrary to the prediction from Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, we probably will hear from him again.' The Ringer named Chism a Week 4 winner, signaling his emergence as a receiving target.
PositiveRoleOct 5, 2026
Second-year WR scored game-winning 23-yard touchdown on third down during Patriots' win over Buffalo; caught two passes for 42 yards on the game-winning drive. With Mack Hollins sidelined by calf injury and A.J. Brown ineligible to return from injured reserve until next week, Chism is positioned to see increased offensive snaps this week against Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach Mike Vrabel praised his work ethic: 'Nobody works harder... You love to see players take advantage of opportunities and help the team win. He is very well-respected. He practices — on show team, he takes a million reps. Nobody runs more miles or yards or whatever we track than Chiz.'
PositiveRoleOct 4, 2026
Chism's consistent preparation and work ethic position him for expanded role moving forward; head coach Mike Vrabel emphasized that Chism arrives before 6 a.m. (often 5:30 a.m.) to study game plans and learn every position with wide receivers coach Todd Downing, establishing a routine that prepared him for critical moments despite not being on field during practice of the game-winning play. Vrabel stated 'Nobody works harder' and praised his toughness and ability to step up in critical situations. A.J. Brown's injury initially thrust Chism onto game-day roster, and Hollins' injury coupled with Chism's Sunday performance could position him for larger workload moving forward.
PositiveBreakoutOct 4, 2026
Undrafted free agent wide receiver delivered game-winning one-handed touchdown catch against previously-unbeaten Buffalo Bills after being thrust into larger role when Mack Hollins departed with calf injury in third quarter; played season-high 34 offensive snaps and made critical 19-yard catch with three minutes remaining before scoring the game winner. Drake Maye praised Chism's two one-handed touchdown catches as a positive trend, noting his consistent work ethic and preparation despite not being on the field when the Patriots practiced the specific play call that resulted in the game-winning catch.
PositiveRoleOct 4, 2026
Backup wide receiver Efton Chism caught the game-winning touchdown in the Patriots' 29-26 road upset over the Bills in Week 4. Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson's post-game commentary—"An elevated guy made a hell of a catch. Probably won't hit him again, respectfully"—underscores Chism's elevated role in the game-winning drive despite being a practice squad-level contributor who has been on the Patriots' 53-man roster since his rookie season in 2025. Gardner-Johnson's dismissal of Chism's role suggests the Patriots lacked confidence in their primary receivers and forced the ball to an unlikely target, but the catch itself demonstrates Chism's ability to execute in high-leverage moments.
NegativeDepth ChartSep 9, 2026
Efton Chism III has been deemed a healthy scratch for the Patriots' Week 1 opener against the Seahawks. The second-year wideout spent the summer as the last option among New England's roster-caliber receivers; while he saw regular action with the starting offense around quarterback Drake Maye as a do-it-all injury replacement, his role was that of a backup. With the rest of the receiver group healthy for Week 1, the game plan did not call for his use.
PositiveRoleAug 25, 2026
Efton Chism III spent his first NFL season as an emergency option on offense and never really emerged as an impact player on special teams either. That might change in 2026. While not pushing any of the starters, he has shown himself a versatile depth piece with a "whatever it takes" attitude. He is a crafty player who has started getting practice reps as the personal protector on the punt team. The former undrafted free agent could become a more valuable piece of the operation this year.