The Kansas City Chiefs are off to a blazing-hot 5-0 start and look like one of the league's best teams early in the season. They have the NFL's best run game so far, Patrick Mahomes remains reliable, and the defense allows only 16.6 points per game. But despite their incredible start, that doesn't mean there haven't been some bumps in the road.
Wide receiver has been one of the biggest concerns for the Chiefs, with inconsistency all around and injuries that have now riddled the position from top to bottom. Tyquan Thornton looked like the Chiefs' best pass-catcher early this season, but his significant injury and Rashee Rice's hamstring injury have forced others to step up. One of those names is preseason favorite Andrew Armstrong.
In college, Armstrong was great and even led the SEC in receiving yards in 2024. Over two years with Arkansas, Armstrong finished just shy of 2,000 total yards and proved to be one of the best pass-catchers in the nation. I gave him a fourth-round grade, but despite his production, he still fell out of the draft, and the Miami Dolphins picked him up as a UDFA.
I’ve found my favorite sleeper in this draft: Arkansas WR Andrew Armstrong
— Nico (@elitetakes_) April 15, 2025
6 foot 4, had a big year in the SEC, ultra reliable hands, and is crafty for his size. Someone will get a stud on day 3 pic.twitter.com/i74vmRYyaJ
Entering the 2026 season, Armstrong seemed likely to make the Week 1 roster, but Kansas City opted to keep return specialist Nikko Remigio. Armstrong cleared waivers and landed on the Kansas City practice squad, making the decision look good for the Chiefs. With several top pass-catchers going down with injuries, Armstrong became a clear promotion candidate who could give the Chiefs immediate juice.
Andrew Armstrong made the most of his Week 6 opportunity
Following the bye week, Armstrong was called up from the practice squad by the Chiefs and was given a significant role. He contributed on special teams, even opening the game with a kickoff tackle. But that was not all. Armstrong played 42 snaps on offense, almost 70% of the team's total offensive snaps, and was a valuable contributor.
Andrew Armstrong wasn't asked to block explicitly on the 15 called runs he was on the field for (RPO tags, clear out responsibility, etc.), but when he was, you could see the demeanor he brings and why I wanted him on the roster from the jump. pic.twitter.com/KvcuKEjile
— Daniel Harms (@InHarmsWay19) October 19, 2026
Armstrong's value didn't show up much on the stat sheet, but on film, you can see how he earned his spot on the team. The Chiefs have the most effective run game in the NFL, and Armstrong is the best blocking wide receiver in the facility, and it's not close. On Sunday, he showed this consistently and was a big part of why Kenneth Walker rushed for over 125 yards and two TDs.
In the passing game, Armstrong was open far more often than the stat sheet suggests, and his size created plenty of matchup problems for the Chargers. More than once, Kenneth Walker bounced runs outside because Armstrong's down blocks created a clean edge. In coverage, the Chargers also ran a lot of zone disguises, trying to prevent Xavier Worthy from winning over the top and Armstrong from winning over the middle.
Armstrong's physicality makes him a natural fit in the Chiefs offense
As they often do, the Chiefs ran a lot of tight formations this past weekend, keeping Armstrong and other receivers close to the ball. This style of offense is where Armstrong has been the most effective, and he showed it on Sunday. His size and strength create problems, and paired with Xavier Worthy's game-breaking speed, they become a coverage nightmare. Not to mention the added physicality in the run game behind the NFL's leading rusher, Kenneth Walker.
Since training camp, I have called for Andrew Armstrong to have a role with this team. He was a productive pass-catcher in the nation's best football conference and proved to be a valuable asset in the preseason. Now, Armstrong has had a chance, albeit a limited one, to show the Chiefs' coaching staff what he brings to the table.
Andrew Armstrong you are a Kansas City Chief pic.twitter.com/Ck3XWWcDrq
— 📽️ Red Tribe Cinema (@ClayWendler) August 29, 2026
Andrew Armstrong deserves a role even when the Chiefs get healthy
Whether Rashee Rice returns to the Chiefs next week or not, Armstrong has proven his value to the team and deserves a role. That is not to say he should be a full-time starter over Rice, Worthy, or even Royals, but Armstrong has shown enough to earn some in-game reps.
He provides a valuable change of pace to the Chiefs' WR room as a physical threat on the outside. With Tyquan Thornton out for the foreseeable future, Armstrong should get significant reps, especially in heavier offensive packages. The Chiefs' offense hasn't had a player like that in a long time, and Armstrong's style of play will add a lot of value going forward.
Add us as a preferred source on Google