The Miami Dolphins have made plenty of headlines this offseason with big-name moves and bold trades. But as training camp approaches, the most intriguing story in South Florida might just be an under-the-radar rookie. Meet Andrew Armstrong, the undrafted wide receiver out of Arkansas who’s emerging as one of the most exciting value additions in the entire NFL.Armstrong, a 6’4”, 200-pound receiver, joined Miami as an undrafted free agent after falling out of the 2025 draft. Armstrong’s slide was a surprise, given his production and physical profile. In fact, Armstrong’s combination of analytics, consistency, and athleticism has some calling him one of the biggest steals of the 2025 rookie class.
From an analytics perspective, Armstrong is a incredible value. Based on data collected from Pro Football Focus (PFF), Armstrong’s overall offensive and receiving grades last season were extremely impressive. In fact, they were better than three of the most hyped first-round receivers in the draft: Tetairoa McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, and Matthew Golden. When you line up their grades side by side, Armstrong stands out as the top performer in both categories.
If Armstrong had been picked in the third or fourth round, the data alone would have made him a high-value selection. The fact that Miami landed him as an undrafted free agent is absolutely bonkers. Credit is due the Dolphins’ front office for finding a diamond in the rough (although an argument could be made they should have gotten him later in the draft instead of waiting until afterwards, but still).
What makes Armstrong a more intriguing prospect is how he performs doing the “little things” for a wide receiver: avoiding drops and run blocking. Here he again outperforms his first-round peers. Armstrong posted the best drop grade and run blocking grade among the group, showing that he’s both reliable and willing to do the dirty work that teammates and coaches alike will appreciate.
The context of Armstrong’s performance is important. He didn’t put up solid analytics and production against meager competition. He played in the brutal Southeastern Conference (SEC) against top flight NFL-caliber talent week in and week out. In fact, he actually led the SEC in receiving yards last season. And he did it on an Arkansas team that struggled offensively, making his achievements even more impressive. This wasn’t a case of a receiver benefiting from a high-octane, championship-caliber offense. Armstrong was the focal point for top defenses week after week and still delivered at a high level.
At 6’4” and 200 pounds, Armstrong brings an NFL-ready frame to the table. He’s not a burner, his 4.5-second 40-yard dash is far from eye-popping, but he makes up for it with explosiveness, posting a 37.5-inch vertical and a 10’4” broad jump. He’s also experienced. Armstrong’s 37 career collegiate starts speak to his experience and durability. Miami has added a mature player who already has a deep and nuanced understanding of the game. You don’t lead the SEC in receiving on a mediocre team without a football IQ.
Despite his production and analytics, Armstrong went undrafted. The main knocks against him? He doesn’t have elite separation speed. This is obviously important at the WR position and clear area of concern. If Armstrong can’t separate he can’t play; it’s as simple as that. But the low risk profile of an UDFA is worth the potential reward. Armstrong still has the hands, size, and ability to win contested catches make him a serious threat, especially in the red zone.
With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle entrenched as the Dolphins’ top options (and young playmakers like Devon Achane and Malik Washington set for key contributions), Armstrong won’t be asked to carry the offense right away (obviously). But his skill set makes him a perfect fit as a depth receiver who can contribute on special teams and in key situations. His size and hands give Miami a different look in the receiver room, and his blocking ability should endear him to coaches looking for versatility.
Every year, a few undrafted free agents beat the odds and make a real impact in the NFL. Andrew Armstrong looks like a prime candidate to join that group in 2025. His combination of production, analytics, and physical traits makes him a potential steal for the Dolphins. While Armstrong is far from a perfect prospect, the value he can and likely will provide as an undrafted free agent will far exceed any concerns or risks he brings.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the Saturday Morning Inspection YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
