Bowl executive, others dish on Dolphins' impressive group of undrafted rookies on offense

Miami Herald

29-04-2025

The Dolphins hope their 15-member undrafted rookie class will deliver gems similar to Kader Kohou in years past.
In the first of a two-part series, here's some feedback on the Dolphins' undrafted rookie acquisitions on offense, from my conversation with Eric Galko, the East-West Shrine Bowl's director of football operations/player personnel director, and previous remarks from others:
▪ Arkansas wide receiver Andrew Armstrong:
The 6-4 All-Southeastern Conference player had 78 catches for 1,140 yards last season, which both led the SEC. One of those catches was a touchdown.
He played only one previous season of FBS college football, also at Arkansas, and had 56 catches for 764 yards and five touchdowns that season (2023). He started all 23 of his appearances for Arkansas after transferring from Texas A&M Commerce.
'His teammate Isaac TeSlaa got drafted in the third round [70th overall by Detroit] and Andrew had three times as many yards,' Galko said by phone Monday. 'His speed tested well. He's a physical guy that can play on the outside. Can play special teams in the NFL for sure. He has a chance to be late round quality pick.'
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein projected Armstrong as a sixth-rounder and said he's a 'long-limbed, tight-hipped wideout with average feet and a lack of separation talent. Armstrong put together solid catch production during his two seasons at Arkansas but will need to prove it is translatable in the pros. He doesn't get in and out of breaks quickly enough to separate and lacks the pure gas to be a field-stretching option, but he has good size and ball skills.'
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah says besides having 'excellent size,' Armstrong 'got in the low 4.5s [in the 40], which is excellent at his size. Versatile, can play inside and outside. He's a fun-loving dude.'
▪ Missouri receiver Theo Wease Jr.:
Wease Jr., who is joining the Dolphins with a $230,000 guarantee, caught 60 passes for 884 yards last season, his second at Missouri after spending four at Oklahoma. The 6-3 Wease caught 173 passes for 2,610 and 20 TDs in college.
Galko said: 'He came in with high expectations, but got an injury late in the season. He tried to come to the Shrine Bowl but wasn't healthy. He's a physical outside receiver and has juice to separate vertically.'
Zierlein projected Wease to go undrafted and said he has 'good size but average explosiveness on the outside. Wease is a vertical receiver who won't outrun the coverage but can outwork them for the football. He's not an explosive leaper but his ball-tracking and high-point timing stand out on tape.
'His routes aren't good enough to shake tight man coverage underneath and his small hands will make contested-catch wins more difficult to come by against pro corners. Wease is steady and productive, but he might not be dynamic enough to ascend beyond an average backup.'
He ran a 4.59 in the 40 at the NFL Combine.
▪ Baylor receiver Monaray Baldwin:
The 5-9 Baldwin had 27 catches for 478 yards and five touchdowns last season. He has a sterling 16.9 per-catch average in his career, with 99 catches for 1,673 yards and 13 TDs in four seasons and 44 games.
Galko: 'Fast kid, smaller guy, situational returner, slot guy who can work downfield and can separate vertically.'
NFLdraftbuzz's assessment of Baldwin:
'Baldwin's elite athleticism and game-breaking speed make him an intriguing day-three prospect with the potential to carve out a niche role at the next level. His ability to take the top off defenses and create explosive plays in the passing game will certainly pique the interest of NFL offensive coordinators looking to add a dynamic element to their receiving corps. The Baylor product's surprising play strength and versatility as a gadget player and returner further bolsters his draft stock.
'However, Baldwin's slight frame and inconsistent play in traffic raise red flags about his ability to withstand the rigors of a full NFL season as an every-down receiver. His route tree will need expansion, and he must prove he can consistently win against press coverage at the next level. While his athleticism is undeniable, Baldwin will need to refine the nuances of the position to maximize his potential in the pros.
'While his physical limitations may cap his ceiling as an outside receiver, Baldwin's elite speed and playmaking potential could make him a valuable situational weapon and special teams contributor for a creative offensive mind willing to scheme touches for him in space.'
▪ Northwestern receiver A.J. Henning:
He had 59 catches for 603 yards and four touchdowns last season, his second at Northwestern after three at Michigan. The 5-10 Henning had 129 catches and 1,219 yards and eight TDs in five college seasons.
The Draft Network's analysis:
'Henning brings a dynamic run-after-catch threat. He excels at running routes out of the slot and getting the ball in his hands in space. Henning's experience as a return specialist helps him read and follow his blockers to daylight with patience. Henning handles jet sweeps, end-arounds, WR reverses, and misdirection play calls. Henning would be an ideal returner.
'Henning's concerns begin with not being a refined route-runner and receiver. With most of his usage spent as a gadget receiver, he hasn't developed fully. His route tree is limited outside of screens and manufactured touches. Henning struggles to fight through physical contact at the line of scrimmage and in his route stem.
'He can be knocked off his spot and have his route timing disrupted by physical and handsy defenders. He does not offer a large catch radius for passes thrown helmet height or higher. Henning should not be expected to win many contested-catch situations down the field.'
▪ Texas Tech tight end Jalin Conyers:
He had 30 catches for 520 yards and five touchdowns last season. He played the previous three seasons at Arizona State and has 104 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 TDs in his four year college career. The Dolphins gave him $115,000 guaranteed.
Galko: 'I was shocked he went undrafted. He tested super well. He maybe was not an ideal scheme fit at Texas Tech. He can be a downfield stretcher. Can work the third level, beat cover 2 and cover 3 and [thrive in the] short and mid area as well. Thought he might go in the fourth, fifth round. He could contribute as a rookie.'
Zierlein had projected the 6-3 ½ Conyers to go in the sixth or seventh round and said with 'his size and athletic talent, Conyers could become an NFL surprise if he commits himself to the work off the field. The route-running needs work and he's faster than quick, but he has the size and ball skills to win when contested.
'He can add yards after the catch and has impressive tape out of the Wildcat at Arizona State, but the run blocking runs hot and cold. The size and talent are there for a roster spot, but sticking around might be up to Conyers.'
▪ Missouri running back Nate Noel:
He had 163 carries for 818 yards (5.0 per carry) last season in his one season in the SEC. He spent the previous four years at Appalachian State and ran for a conference leading 1,126 yards in 2021. He has a 5.5 per carry career average.
Galko: 'Really talented player, change of pace guy who can run between the tackles. Has burst.'
▪ Michigan guard Josh Priebe:
He spent the previous four years at Northwestern. He has 42 career starts at guard for the Wildcats and Wolverines.
He permitted no sacks and just 10 pressures in 361 pass blocking snaps last season with Michigan. PFF rated him Michigan's second best run blocker of its five offensive line starters.
Galko said Priebe is an 'experienced guy who was coached by a lot of great coaches. He's not a super athletic mover or someone you want to put in space. But he can stick on a roster because he can play both guard spots and has a high football IQ.'
▪ Western Michigan guard/center Addison West and left tackle Tedi Kushi:
West's pass blocking was exceptional; he allowed no sacks and just two pressures on 367 passing plays. PFF also rated him the team's top run blocker.
Zierlein said West 'plays with consistent control and confidence. While he has lined up at all three positions along the interior, he projects as a center who has the flexibility to play guard in a pinch. He has the strength to stay connected to bigger bodies but lacks the size and length to become a consistent block finisher in battles against defenders with NFL-caliber size. He's been rock steady in pass protection, but he wasn't often tested by long-limbed athletes when singled up.' He said he had a chance to be drafted because of his 'play strength, consistency and scheme-independence.'
Galko said West 'will struggle vs longer, more athletic guys. But he's a good mover in short areas.'
Kushi permitted four sacks and 16 pressures on 370 pass-blocking chances. PFF rated him the team's fourth best run blocker among five starters. He's a long shot to stick
Coming Wednesday: Feedback on the Dolphins' undrafted additions on defense.