FOXBORO — Undrafted rookie receiver Efton Chism III has a clear-cut role in the Patriots’ offense if he can seize it.
With his elite quickness, strong hands and smaller size, Chism fits in the slot receiver mold of Julian Edelman, Wes Welker and Troy Brown before them and perhaps DeMario Douglas next. But right now, he’s studying another receiver who dabbled in the slot and played outside: Danny Amendola.
“(Amendola)’s super twitchy, he knows how to release,” Chism said Thursday. “If the guy’s playing off, the guy’s playing press, he knows how to sit in zones, but he also knows how to win versus man (coverage). I don’t think a lot of people—at least me, like before becoming a Patriot—I didn’t watch a lot of him. But now I’m watching it, and, man, he can really win versus man too, not just a zone catcher.”
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels assigned Chism the Amendola tape recently, well after Chism found a study buddy in his position room: veteran Mack Hollins.
Chism asked to join Hollins in his own film study after giving the free-agent addition a ride back to the team hotel after practice early in training camp. Now, their shared sessions are a tradition.
“We just kind of go through everything that we kind of went through, going through different plays, stuff like that in in the hotel,” Chism said. “It’s been awesome. He’s been a big help just helping me kind of feel confident out here and knowing that I’m ready to go.”
Originally Published: August 1, 2025 at 11:57 AM EDT