I haven't been caught up in the Efton Chism hype train. Yes, he has the makings of an NFL player, but his best work came during the spring, and with all due respect, football isn't played in shorts and t-shirts. So when Chism struggled to produce consistently during the start of camp, it looked more and more like he was a practice squad candidate/developmental player.
But the last few days have certainly made me reconsider that stance. Chism was rock solid in the joint practice with the Commanders on Wednesday, then added six receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown in Friday night's preseason opener.
“It was awesome. Super surreal,” he said after the game. “You kind of walk out of the tunnel with everyone...it’s just a blessing to be out here. I don’t take for granted that I got to go out there and play. Definitely super awesome, and I’m super thankful for the opportunity.”
Chism was beaming from ear to ear as he stood at the podium and fielded questions. It certainly helped that Mike Vrabel praised the youngster for the physicality he displayed as a blocker and for how he finished his runs. One in particular, a short gain in the right flat, was punctuated by Chism lowering his shoulder and running through a defender. Yes, it was unexpected, and the bench absolutely lost their minds, hooting, hollering, and flexing.
"I think his play strength stood out to me, just from the sideline,” said Vrabel. “I think it’s the way he blocks, his ability to catch the ball in traffic. The ball was basically tipped or bobbled coming out of Ben’s [Wooldridge] hand, kind of ran through a tackle, ran through contact, and we threw him a screen. So, those are all positive things. I think his play strength to me is what stood out.”
“Anytime you kind of get a compliment from a head coach, it’s definitely an honor,” said Chism. “So, I appreciate that from him. But I feel like just playing hard, that’s kind of what I pride myself on, and the little details and going out there and doing everything I can to my full ability. So, I felt like when I got the ball, I got to show that, but even in the blocking, I try to show that in the running, blocking, and the route running, whatever it is, just kind of playing hard.”
The Pats could keep seven receivers on the initial 53-man roster. Considering there are five locks (Diggs, Douglas, Hollins, Williams, Boutte), the door is very much open for Chism to earn a spot. And even if he doesn't, the likelihood of him being claimed on waivers is relatively low, as teams seem more and more inclined to keep the players they've been working with since the spring. Then again, if Chism has another week like this past one, he might just make his case so strong the Patriots don't want to risk his loss. Not bad for an undrafted player.
FINE LINE IN LA
After being thrown around like a rag dog for a decade in Detroit, Matthew Stafford found new life in Los Angeles, winning a Super Bowl with the Rams. Since then, he's consistently kept the Rams in the mix, and if not for Jalen Carter on back-to-back plays, he may have led LA to a playoff win over the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles.
The Rams should be even better this year, but there's a rather big 'if' that is sounding more ominous than initially presented. Stafford has yet to practice, and come to find out, his back is causing more problems than Sean McVay and the organization were letting on. Seems Stafford has an aggravated disk in that back, and has needed epidurals to help alleviate the pain. The team claims that if this were the regular season, he'd be playing, but they've already taken liberties with the truth once.
If Stafford can't go for week one or beyond, the Rams will have to turn to Jimmy Garoppolo. He spent all of last year with LA and balled out in the season finale (McVay rested the starters), throwing for 334 yards and two touchdowns. But in true Jimmy fashion, he also was intercepted and took three sacks. There's no doubt the Rams could survive a short-term absence of Stafford, but for them to get back to the top of the mountain, they'll need their 37-year-old QB, bad back and all.
It's also important to note that the Rams acquired an additional first-round pick in next year's draft, trading out of round one this year with Atlanta so the Falcons could draft edge James Pearce. This 2026 draft is, at this point, considered a significantly better QB draft than what we just had.
SETTING THE MARKET
It shouldn't come as a surprise that James Cook decided to stop practicing for the Bills in training camp shortly after the Rams inked Kyren Williams to a deal worth $33 million ($23 million guaranteed) over three years.
Williams had been a full participant in practice, as he promised during the offseason.
“For me, there was no decision (to hold out or in),” he said in late July. “I play football. That’s what I do. That’s what I love. At the end of the day, I do this not for the money, not for the fame or popularity, but to take care of my family."
Meanwhile, Cook went through a full week of workouts before pulling the plug on Sunday. He called it a business decision. Cook is in the last year of his rookie contract (he was a 2nd round pick).
“We tried to get something done with Jimbo, and unfortunately, you know, it’s got - it takes two,” said GM Brandon Beane on Monday. “And both sides have to agree on what that number is, and obviously, that hasn’t gotten there. But, I’m not sitting here saying, ‘You don’t pay running backs.’ I think you just have to find what the sweet spot is.”
So, is Williams' contract Beane's idea of the 'sweet spot'? Cook rushed for over a thousand yards and led the league with 16 touchdowns. He did all that while only playing 48% of the snaps. Meanwhile, Williams rarely ever comes off the field (87% when healthy in 2024-25). He wasn't comparing himself to the Saquon Barkleys and Christian McCaffreys of the world, and even though RBs have experienced a resurgence in the last 18 months, he was wise to take the money and run.
"It feels amazing. This whole day is kind of surreal," said Williams. "I'll never forget this day, but this is a day I kind of worked for my whole life. I knew I was gonna be here. I didn't know when, I didn't know how, I didn't know what the outcome was gonna be, but I'm here. So, I just want to say thank you to everybody that has played a part to making it happen. For me, it means everything. It means a whole lot that this organization believes in me, and I'm gonna continue to keep giving them everything I have in my soul to make sure that they know that."
ROOKIE ROUNDUP
OT Josh Simmons: It took three days of training camp for Simmons to find himself as the Chiefs' first-team left tackle. "The kid has come out here and shown a little attitude and swagger," said GM Brett Veach. "He's a gifted dude." Simmons fell to the back end of the first round because of a torn patellar tendon suffered midway through his final season at Ohio State. As I illustrated here and on the All 32 pod, he was the most gifted of all the tackle products (including Will Campbell). But there's not much history of players suffering an injury of that magnitude at the position, so there was a definite dice roll element to the selection. "As we speak, I haven't felt any issues with it yet," said Simmons. "It's really nice to be playing football. It's therapy, so I'm glad to be back." KC allowed the second-most pressures in the NFL from the left tackle spot of any team. The only team worse? The Patriots. Simmons' emergence has allowed the Chiefs to move free agent signee Jaylon Moore into competitions at left guard (Kingsley Suamataia) and right tackle (Jawann Taylor), and fix an offensive line that got exposed in the Super Bowl.
WR Isaac TeSlaa: A surprise 3rd round pick by Detroit, the wide receiver out of Arkansas has delivered the goods since arriving in Motown. After a strong spring, he had a couple of catches (22 and 24 yards) in the Hall of Fame game and also delivered a vicious block on a touchdown, endearing himself to Dan Campbell. It's early, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that TeSlaa is the team's third receiver when camp breaks.
OT Airontae Ersery: I don't go crazy over team-released depth charts, but the big tackle out of Minnesota is currently listed as the first-team RT. Picked 48th overall, Ersery is making the switch from the left to the right side - at least for now - and has an early edge on last year's starter for the Texans, Blake Fisher. “It’s like riding a bike,” he said of the flipping sides. “Once you get on it, you keep peddling. It’s not that hard. I’m getting more comfortable at right (tackle).” A massive human being (6'6", 331 pounds), Ersery is getting tested every day by the dynamic edge duo of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson and is holding his own. “I ain’t done nothing,” he said. “Ain’t done (s--), pardon my French. Every day, man, I’m just trying to get better and better and better, like I’m not showing up here like I’ve arrived. I know I’m a rookie. I’m trying to get better and better, and these guys are helping me and guiding me the right way."
DE Abdul Carter: Despite getting most of his reps with the second-team defense, the #3 overall pick has been as good as anyone in Giants camp, and abused starting RT Jermaine Eluemunor multiple times this week. “I love going against Abdul because that first step he has is explosive as hell, so again, to go against him every day is a blessing for me,” Eluemunor said. “I said the same thing when I was in Las Vegas going against (Raiders defensive end) Maxx (Crosby)." Brian Daboll, who is almost allergic to public compliments, said of Carter, “Abdul has some special traits about him." The Giants were 8th in the league in sacks last year, and if they stay healthy, they should be even better with Carter in the fold.
DE Mykel Williams: He had fans in New England. SF took him 11th overall, and Williams is in line to start opposite Nick Bosa. "He's a three-way player," said DC Robert Saleh. "He can run around you, he can run through you, he can counter, he's showing all of it off. He still has a long way to go. He's going to be a good football player in this league. It may not come this year, but you could see it through practice that this kid, once he gets it, it's going to be special." Williams is adjusting to playing off the outside shoulder of the tackle - he didn't do that much at the University of Georgia - but the coaching staff already sees him as a plus-run defender.
TE Tyler Warren: I have no idea if the dreadful duo of Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones can get the tight end from Penn State the ball, but his slipping to 14 overall in the draft was dumb. By all accounts, Warren has been one of Indy's best players in camp. "Man, it's been impressive - great hands, just a natural route runner, great feel for the game," Shane Steichen said. "Finds the dead spots in zone coverage can win versus man with his big body and then his run out for catch-all. He's impressive. You can throw him a flat route and make a guy miss or run a guy over, so great."
WR Emeka Egbuka: I remember my NFL sources telling me (and me relaying to you) that Egbuka was the most pro-ready pass catcher in the draft. Thus far, he's done nothing to dispel that notion.
“He looks like he's been in the league for 10 years,” said GM Jason Licht.
“Stuff you can't teach,” Baker Mayfield added.
“His football IQ is far beyond a guy coming out of college,” admired Todd Bowles. “It shows up as far as leverage, when he's being doubled, when he has to stop, when he has to break a route off, when he has to block somebody, and then move to another gap and take the next guy. It's just the little things that you would think you have to teach the whole way, he's been doing the whole time.”
With Chris Godwin still on PUP as he recovers from that leg injury suffered midway through last season, having Egbuka gives the Bucs a hell of a fallback plan both in the short and long term.