This is the fifth and next-to-last piece in the UDFA: PICK 6 series counting down the Miami Dolphins undrafted rookies whose game tape from college shows the most promise in terms of their pro aspirations. In the #2 spot, we take a look at the possibilities for Andrew Armstrong, wide receiver out of Arkansas.

In the last edition of PICK 6, linebacker/specialist Eugene Asante was featured at number three on our list.

HOW ARMSTRONG GOT HERE

Honestly, it’s hard to tell why Armstrong went undrafted.

After starting his career at East Texas A&M, Armstrong took a year with the Razorbacks before having his breakout SEC-leading senior season.

And when a guy leads the best league in college football in receiving but doesn’t get selected, the first thing to look at would be measurables and it still doesn’t add up in this case.

Armstrong ran a respectable 4.51 (with a 1.53 10-yard split) at 6-4, 210 pounds at the NFL Combine. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that; in fact, it’s pretty good. He also posted a 37.5-inch vertical jump and 10-4 broad jump, both good numbers as it relates to explosion.

His Relative Athletic Score (RAS), a mathematical formula by Kent Lee Platt based on physical and athletic attributes, was outstanding. RAS is one of the few metrics I look at for every player, as it can be telling depending on the position (surprisingly, it’s very effective in the process of scouting offensive linemen).

Armstrong scored a 9.44 out of a possible 10.00, which ranked 193rd out of 3,441 wide receivers entered into the system from 1987 to 2025. That would be in the 94^th percentile of all wide receivers to receive the rating since ’87.

IN GOOD COMPANY

In 2024, he led the SEC in receptions (78), receiving yards (1,140) and receiving yards per game (103.6). He also finished his career with 39-straight games recording at least one catch.

Take a look at the list below of the receiving yardage leaders from the 10 previous seasons in the Southeastern Conference. If there is any meaning to be found in it, Armstrong’s draft status becomes even more befuddling.

2023 Malik Nabers, LSU (No. 6 overall, NYG)

2022 Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee (No. 73 overall, 3rd round, NYG)

2021 Jameson Williams, Alabama (No. 12 overall, DET)

2020 Devonta Smith, Alabama (No. 10 overall, PHI)

2019 JaMarr Chase, LSU (No.5 overall, CIN)

2018 Jerry Jeudy, Alabama (No. 15 overall, DEN)

2017 AJ Brown, Ole Miss (No. 51 overall, 2nd round, TEN)

2016 Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M (No. 117 overall, 4th round, LAR)

2015 Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss (No. 23 overall, MIN)

2014 Amari Cooper, Alabama (No. 4 overall, OAK)

THE SURNAME FITS

What makes Armstrong so intriguing isn’t so much how he looks on tape. Even with his strong combine numbers, his play speed doesn’t even look as fast as a 4.51. His feet don’t look particularly quick, even though he is able to get in and out of breaks and find just enough space in pretty much any setting.

The attribute that most lends itself to confidence in his game for me is the way he plays to his strengths. He is a tremendously physical receiver. If I can say I loved anything in watching any player from this last draft cycle, I absolutely loved watching him stiff-arm defenders for extra yardage. The guy is kind of a beast.

The anticipation that anyone will see anything special in him when the team is in shells or shorts and helmets for practice would be silly. That’s for the fast and quick guys (and means nothing). Armstrong is going to start looking good when people are able to try to put their hands on him (and he on them).

RUMORVILLE

Because it was such a struggle to find why Armstrong didn’t get drafted, I went searching for reasons. In general, unless something is 100% and it is important specifically to the football side of the story, you won’t typically find it written on this website when it comes to people’s character or personal lives.

With that said, we did find speculation on Armstrong but instead of writing about it here, if you are interested, please check out this video from Inside Arkansas, a site more informed on the goings on in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and with the Razorbacks than myself.

And if you choose not to watch, in short — an agent supposedly said that there were character concerns that teams had in the draft process, but the Arkansas-based hosts of the show seem very familiar with Armstrong and clearly believe the rumors are hogwash, as it were.

DRAFT NOTES – ANDREW ARMSTRONG

Below are the notes taken while watching tape from last year of Armstrong.

– Honestly not sure why this guy didn’t get drafted 

– Ran a 4.51 but might play a little slower than that.

– Size and explosiveness are good and show up in his play.

– Shows the work in his route running and runs well after the catch, though he’ll never be a breakaway threat.

– Has strong hands, makes contested catches.

– Plays tough. Maybe the best and most-used stiffarm I’ve seen on a college prospect.

– Will work the middle of the field and uses his length against defenders effectively.

– Orande Gadsden is a good comp.

– He won’t stand out until the pads come on.

– Will always be a contested-ball guy, not a separation guy. Could prove handy in red zone and short yardage.

– Probably a role player but fits where the Dolphins have positional gaps.

– If he can learn the offense, legit shot at 53.

EXCITING PROSPECTS

Though his play may never end up being described as electric, what Armstrong might be able to add to the Miami offense is still exciting.

Trading away Jonnu Smith and with a little lack of clarity over which receivers will play where behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Armstrong could absolutely be a player that gives Miami a short-yardage receiving threat as well as a straight banger over the middle of the field, given his size and willingness to use it.

The hope here is that the team has no interest in moving him to tight end as it would only take away what makes him special as a receiver. His fellow UDFA, Theo Wease Jr. out of Missouri, is kind of like that.

Wease is big like Armstrong and plays a little cleaner and faster, but he doesn’t use the physicality that comes with his frame like Armstrong does, and that is the difference between a possible roster impact and practice squad or cut.

At ACR, we see Armstrong making the 53-man roster as the last receiver and likely be contributing in “big” offensive packages by midseason, if not sooner. It would be a shock if he was not at least on the practice squad, though I question how long he would stay on Miami’s if put there before being poached.

Check back in when rookies report on July 15 to find out the undrafted rookie we think has the best shot at being a contributor for the Dolphins this season.