FOXBORO — It wasn’t Efton Chism’s hands or quickness that stood out to Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel after Friday night’s 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders. It was, somewhat ironically, the undersized slot receiver’s play strength.

The Patriots have a thing for underdog slot receivers. Efton Chism is trying to become the next undrafted one to crack the roster.

From the same small-school pipeline that produced Cooper Kupp, Efton Chism III is making his own NFL case — and his Patriots debut was a promising first chapter.