Pats Pulpit
The latest edition of our Patriots mailbag answers questions about Efton Chism, the UDFAs and more.
The New England Patriots have concluded organized team activities on Thursday and will now wrap up the offseason program with a three day mandatory minicamp beginning Monday, June 9.
So let’s talk about it all and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
Is there a good possibility that Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III are the starting WRs behind Diggs week 1? - mathblaster97
With Diggs likely set to play a more prominent role on the inside, the door is absolutely open for Williams to be their Week 1 starting X receiver. His best competition for that spot is Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins, who has not been practicing this spring due to injury.
As for Chism, he has been their most consistent receiver through the open spring practices to the media, but there is a long way to go. Let’s see how it looks when the pads come on and with more reps with the top offense. We’ll stick with Pop Douglas in the slot for now in Week 1 with Diggs at the Z.
And yet another Chism question: aren’t he and Douglas kinda the same? Little guys who get open? Can the Pats keep both? - Ricky Hot Pants
As for Douglas and Chism, their size is similar (Chism is slightly larger) but they are different kinds of players. Douglas is a much more explosive option with speed that can threaten defenses vertically and make him an extremely hard cover in man-to-man. The ability with the ball in his hands also opens up the playbook for schemed touches.
Chism, on the other hand, does not have that straight line speed but instead the shiftiness and stop-start ability. Through his college film and the open practices he also has shown a knack for finding open space in coverages which is something we’ve seen Douglas struggle with at times. Chism’s hands have also stood out as the ball doesn’t move once he’s made contact.
While both players will do their best work inside or in the slot due to their size, there is room for both to complement each other on the roster.
With the Chism hype runaway train in full effect can you assess likely return on trade of Pop vs. Bourne vs. Boutte? - Spyponder90
As we just discussed, Pop and Chism can coexist while Boutte is in a separate category along the outside. That likely leaves Bourne on the outside looking in among this group if Chism continues to ascend. I wouldn’t guess anything higher than a mid-to-late day three pick for a team to acquire his services.
There’s been a lot of discussion about Larsson, Lampe, Chism and Dippre having a chance to stick and make it to the 53 man roster, but which other UDFA(s), if any, do you think might have an outside chance to sneak in there? - wrw921
Chism has definitely...
