Giardi: Efton Chism continues to take advantage of every opportunity he gets

I'll say it: I wasn't buying the Efton Chism hype this spring, especially when the Patriots reached the mandatory portion of the program in June and he was relegated to the secondary field with third-string QB Ben Wooldridge. But over the last two weeks, including joint practices with both the Commanders and Vikings, the undrafted free agent has made his reps appointment viewing.

There was Chism's beautiful leaping grab in the back corner of the end zone on Thursday from Joshua Dobbs, which the 23-year-old (he'll be 24 in October) followed with a toe-tapping snag by the sideline for another score later in the day.

That momentum carried over to the game on Saturday, and at this point, there should be no question about his status. Chism's making the team. In my opinion, he cemented a spot on the 53 by reeling in six passes for 71 yards and a score Saturday afternoon in Minnesota. 

"I mean, from day one, it's just been consistency," Patriots Executive VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf said at halftime. "He's really been a hard worker. He's put in the time. He's in there every day with wide receiver coach Todd Downing at like five o'clock in the morning. And, you know, the fruits of his labor are paying off here."

The second-quarter touchdown was borderline ridiculous. Chism lined up in the slot, with his defender playing slightly off. After a stutter step, he was free to release inside. You can see immediately his eyes come up to see the tight end coming across, and he used a 'natural' pick to carve out space for the reception. But it's what the UDFA did after he caught the ball that had Scott Zolak and the McCourty brothers gasp and yell "Oh my" almost in unison. Chism broke not one, not two, but three tackle attempts before throwing himself into the end zone between two more defenders. 

"I just always kind of pride myself on not letting one guy tackle me and try to get another score," said a smiling Chism postgame. "I just think it comes from my day-to-day. I feel like there's always more to give out there, no matter what's going on."

“He just keeps on showing up,” Drake Maye said. “I think that’s the theme for him throughout camp, throughout joint practices, throughout preseason games. He got into the end zone again tonight. He 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 see on this route?’ He wants it. I think that’s the biggest thing he’s showing and it’s paying off for him.”

To be in position to score the touchdown, the Pats had to move the chains several times on a 13-play, 88-yard march. Guess who was called on in the big moments? Chism. He had three third-down grabs. The first two resulted in first downs. The last was for paydirt.

"He really knows how to set up a defender at the top of the route," said Wolf. "And he's a lot stronger than people give him credit for. I think the Vikings are finding that out here."

Dobbs had mentioned that earlier in the week.

"He fits really well within the scheme and offense," he said. "He does a great job in the routes that he has of being fast when he needs to, but also being strategic when he needs to. He's a QB-friendly target, like in the red zone or on third down. He gets a lot of good matchups, and he wins those matchups, which is most important.

"He deserves all the love that he's getting. But I think he understands that it's just one day at a time. Take advantage of each opportunity, and each day is a new day to go out and dominate and make plays on the field."

Chism has that feel I always talk about when it comes to receivers, an understanding of spacing and how to find open areas. 

"It kind of comes with just playing a lot of football," he said. "Starting in eighth grade, I didn't have that right away. But then, like always being around and always watching it, you kind of pick up things, and then going out there, just apply it to the field as soon as you can."

I must point out that none of Chism's catches came against starters. Hard to do that when the starters don't play. On the score, he ran through tackle attempts by third-year special teamer Jay Ward, third-year cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who missed all of last season with an injury, and UDFA rookie Zemaiah Vaughn. But for a kid who no one deemed draft worthy, Chism is making sure people around the league learn who this #86 is, even if there is a surreal nature to his rise.

"It's definitely surreal," he said. "I'm super blessed and thankful that every day I come to the office - this is my job. It's something that a lot of people may take for granted, but I definitely don't. It's a blessing. But also one of those things where I felt like this is where I wanted to be, this is where I'm supposed to be. So, kind of just always being grateful, and thankful each and every day."

"It doesn't matter how you get here," said Mike Vrabel. "The only thing that matters is what you do when you're here. And I think that's another great example of that."