If you were to travel back in time to March, when free agency was set to open in the NFL, absolutely nobody in New England was talking about Efton Chism.

Even if you moved forward to the NFL Draft in late April, nobody in New England was talking about Efton Chism. Through the spring? A polite smattering of chatter, perhaps, but nothing major.

But now? After a preseason performance that was even better than his impressive introduction a week ago? Now you can bet everybody in New England will be talking about Efton Chism — to the point where it’s hard to envision a way that the undrafted rookie does not make the final 53-man roster.

“We talked about his play strength last week,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said after New England’s 20-12 preseason victory over Minnesota. “I would say that that continued to be true this week.”

Playing strength was certainly a significant contributor to Chism’s touchdown before halftime, as he slipped one tackling attempt, stiff-armed a defender to the ground, and then burst through two more purple jerseys en route to the goal line.

Yet there was more to Chism’s game then strength. His crisp route-running, his reliable hands, and his ability to find open space allowed him to catch all six of the passes thrown his way.

With six receptions for 71 yards and the touchdown in two quarters of work, Chism’s day was done at halftime. Perhaps — perhaps — he had shown the coaching staff in a game scenario what he’s been showing them on the practice field all summer. And perhaps it’s safe to lock in the 23-year-old for a roster spot in a crowded receiver room.

At the very least, Chism has impressed executive VP of player personnel Eliot Wolf.

“From day one, it’s just been consistency,” Wolf said during halftime of the game broadcast. “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. And the fruits of his labor are paying off here. Three third-down conversions on that drive, extreme willpower breaking tackles and then got into the end zone there. So, we’re excited about him.”

Wolf added: “He really knows how to set up the defender at the top of the route, work leverage, and he’s a lot stronger than I think people give him credit for.”

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While Wolf invested some significant draft capital in the receiver position last year with Ja’Lynn Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth round), Wolf seemed to indicate that spots on the 53-man roster are earned.

“Coach Vrabel and I believe in the ability for these guys to make the team,” Wolf said of undrafted free agents. “We don’t care where you came from — if you’re a first-round pick or a free agent. So just making sure that everybody knows that they have that opportunity.”

Luckily for Chism, one of those first-round picks — quarterback Drake Maye — has appreciated the effort coming from the wide receiver.

“Yeah, he just keeps on showing up. I think that’s the theme for him,” Maye said. “Whether it’s throughout camp, throughout joint practices, throughout preseason games. He got in the end zone again tonight, and he just keeps on showing up. He’s blocking in the run game, he knows what to do, he’s staying late with veterans and asking me, ‘Hey, what do you think on this route?'”

“He’s just — he wants it,” Maye continued. “And I think that’s the biggest thing he showed. And it’s paying off for him.”

Through two preseason games, Chism has been targeted 14 times, with 12 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Of course, the Patriots have had their share of preseason hype machines at receiver over the years. (Brian Tyms and Austin Carr come immediately to mind.) But Chism’s ascent has not included mere flashes in games. The rookie’s rise has been noticeable on a daily basis since the start of camp, and the observations from Wolf and Maye confirm that the on-field results have only come after a tremendous amount of work off the field.

And while some tough decisions will surely have to be made when the time arrives for Vrabel, Wolf, and the rest of the Patriots’ brain trust to make their final cuts, Chism appears to have made at least one of those decisions very easy.

“Doesn’t matter how you get here,” Vrabel said, echoing Wolf. “Only thing that matters is what you do when you’re here.”