FOXBOROUGH – For the Patriots, the list of problems are many.
Too many fumbles. Too many penalties. Too many missed tackles. Too many mental errors. Too few receptions by receivers.
Yadayadayada.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is busy trying to find fixes, plug holes, and cure what ails his team.
A suggestion for one of the fixes?
Give Efton Chism III a shot. What’s to lose? He just might provide the type of spark Drake Maye and the offense needs.
He was the little engine that could during training camp and the offseason. Granted, he excelled against second and third team defenders.
The Patriots won’t know if he has the stuff to turn into the team’s next great slot receiver, or simply a dependable target, if he remains inactive week after week.
To this point, Chism has been the victim of a numbers game. He’s sixth on the depth chart behind Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and fellow rookie Kyle Williams.
Who should be bumped from that crew on game day to give Chism a chance?
Three games in, fellow slot receiver Douglas has struggled. He’s had zero impact.
Coming off last year, where he caught 66 passes for 621 yards, and an impressive training camp, it appeared Douglas was primed for a break out this season.
In three games, he’s had five catches for 13 yards and a touchdown. On Sunday, he couldn’t pick up a yard on a make-or-break fourth-and-one pass play with the team driving for the final score.
Perhaps Douglas will eventually get hot, but right now, he and Maye don’t seem to be on the same page.
While some might think Williams should sit, he’s made a couple positive plays. The rookie third-round draft pick gets open, and when Maye sends it his way, generally makes a play. He’s just not getting enough reps, or targets.
If Chism is going to get a legitimate shot, it should be in the slot where Douglas and Diggs typically roam.
In Josh McDaniels offense, the slot position is pivotal, along with tight end. Troy Brown, Wes Welker, and newest Patriots Hall of Famer Julian Edelman were all go-to-guys for Tom Brady. They were slot guys.
Thus far, Maye has favored throwing to his tight ends and running backs. While he does have great chemistry with Boutte, Maye needs more receivers to rely on.
That could be Diggs. It should be Diggs. But he’s still trying to find his legs post ACL surgery. He’s made plays (13 catches, 112 yards), he’s just not the explosive player he once was.
That’s why someone else needs to emerge.
Plus, down the road, teams are going to do their best to take away Henry, Maye’s go-to-guy. And Hooper, by extension.
The second-year quarterback needs more from his receiver room.
During his weekly hit on WEEI Monday, Maye was asked about Chism. He gave a glowing review.
“He’s been awesome since the day he got here,” Maye said. “I’ve caught him here late in the building numerous times. Him watching extra tape and me just trying to teach him and show him through what I see and what I’m seeing from the quarterback and what he’s seeing.
“So he’s doing all the right things,” the Patriots quarterback added. “And I think it’s going to end up paying off. I think he’s got a bright future.”
It’s time to find out just how bright that future might be.
Chism is waiting, biding his time, and doing whatever is asked of him.
He’s been on the scout team, helping the defense get a good look of the receivers they’ll have to defend. He said he’s been enjoying the weekly process.
“I’m preparing like I’m a starter,” Chism told MassLive Monday. “That’s one thing we’ve talked about in our room. Regardless of opportunity, if it comes on Sunday, if it doesn’t, prepare like you’re a starter, prepare for that role. So that’s how I’m going about it day-to-day, week-to-week.”
Chism indicated on game days, he makes sure to stand next to backup quarterback Josh Dobbs, to get the calls of the plays being used. That way he can think about what he’d do in certain situations during the game.
During training camp, and the preseason games, Chism had a natural feel for positioning, running routes, and getting open.
He was quick, elusive, and not afraid to run through people to gain extra yards.
If he can do the same in a regular season game, while going up against top corners, that would be a huge boost for Maye and the offense.
If the undrafted receiver proves nothing but a preseason wonder, it behooves the Patriots to determine that sooner rather than later.
The Carolina Panthers are in town Sunday. The Patriots, at 1-2, can’t afford a third loss at home. No time like the present to give Chism a look.
“It’s one of those things where if the opportunity comes, it comes,” Chism said. “So I’m going to be prepared and ready for it.”
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