Efton Chism

Chism ranks 5th-6th on Patriots' depth chart behind established veterans Kayshon Boutte (2915 value), Kyle Williams (2804), Stefon Diggs (2704), DeMario Douglas (2170), and Mack Hollins (1143). His tier 10 valuation (1332) is sandwiched between Hollins and far below the top-4 WRs, creating a severely blocked path to targets.

Fellow WRs Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams and DeMario Douglas are under contract with New England next season. As a rookie undrafted free agent, Chism ranks 5th-6th on the depth chart with a significant path to relevant opportunity blocked.

Chism finished the 2025 regular season with three catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in eight games. Minimal NFL production from an undrafted player makes the Tier 10 valuation (1332 trade value) speculative without proven volume.

Chism's primary role is as a kick returner (16 returns, 383 yards) rather than offensive contributor. He logged just 3 catches for 75 yards and 1 TD in 8 regular season games, and was inactive for Super Bowl LX despite Patriots reaching the championship game.

New England signed Romeo Doubs to a 4-year/$68M deal in March 2026, replacing the released Stefon Diggs as WR1. Chism now sits sixth on the depth chart behind Doubs, Boutte, Kyle Williams, Douglas, and Hollins — a materially more blocked room than 14 days ago.

Demario Douglas is the established slot receiver in New England (value 1649 vs. Chism's 911) and occupies the exact role Chism would need to win. Chism cannot leapfrog Douglas without an injury or roster move.

Coaching staff comparisons to Julian Edelman, Wes Welker, and Danny Amendola in Josh McDaniels' timing-based system are meaningful — the Patriots have a long track record of developing undrafted slot receivers into starters. Chism described as fitting 'like a glove.'

With Mack Hollins on injured reserve with an abdominal injury, Chism has taken on some of the veteran wide receiver's snaps as a run blocker, with three catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' last two games. Any injuries to Boutte, Hollins, or Diggs could accelerate his path to meaningful targets.

Chism finished the 2024 season with 120 receptions for 1,311 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning FCS first-team All-American honors. His elite college track record suggests NFL skills are present; he needs opportunity, not development validation.

Mack Hollins (32 years old) is a candidate for release to clear $8M in cap space per Yahoo Sports analysis. Stefon Diggs (33 in 2026) and Hollins represent aging veteran depth that could create pathway to snaps if Patriots rebuild WR room through cuts or trades.

DeMario Douglas is the slot incumbent ahead of him; if Douglas departs or is supplanted, Chism profiles as a natural slot replacement on a Drake Maye-led offense that just reached a Super Bowl.

Drake Maye (value: 7671) is a franchise QB in Year 2 who led the Patriots to Super Bowl 60 — his slot receiver in a McDaniels timing system carries real long-term dynasty relevance as the offense matures.