Malik Washington | Virginia 5’ 8 1/2”, 191 lbs 1/4/2001 (23)
Malik Washington was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, becoming the 26th wide receiver and 184th overall player in the 2024 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
| Year | Games Played | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Yards/Catch | TD’s |
| 2019 | 11 | 6 | 25 | 4.2 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 | 51 | 10.2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 12 | 44 | 578 | 13.1 | 2 |
| 2022 | 12 | 65 | 694 | 10.7 | 1 |
| 2023 | 12 | 110 | 1,426 | 13.0 | 9 |
*Statistics Pulled from Sports Reference
After his first two collegiate seasons, he had little to no production. Washington started improving in year three, and he completely flew off the charts this past season. He transferred to Virginia in his last year after spending his first four years at Northwestern. During his early days, most of his highlights were off the field academically as his stock was way down. In 2022, his highlight was becoming third-team All-Big-10 by Pro Football Focus. However, by the end of 2023, everyone started knowing his name and the accolades began rolling in. His 110 receptions were the most in the country, and he broke the ACC single-season mark previously held by former NFL wide receiver Jamison Crowder (Duke). He was voted as a team captain, ACC Wide Receiver of the Year, one of ten semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top receiver, and many more.
FILM
STRENGTHS
Washington was heavily targeted as a slot receiver in his single season at Virginia, where his numbers popped and had eye-popping numbers. He posted 100-plus yards in 10 of his final 11 games. His season was filled with several quick-game throws and short-out routes that allowed him to use his strengths and contact balance to get tough yards after the catch as he’s built like a running back. He has great speed and agility with a premium catch focus and mature ball skills. He has great instincts playing with a rare focus. He maximizes his size, and he has great potential at the next level as a gadget guy or slot receiver.
*Click image to view video*
WEAKNESSES
The first noticeable red flag is his size at only 5’ 8 ½” in an NFL game built around size, but the biggest knock is that he ran a basic route tree, and the scheme helped free him for a heavy target share. Currently, he also doesn’t have the savviness to make his route separation easier which could make his ability to get open at the next level more challenging. In addition, Washington needs to show that he can elude press coverage and understand his weapon of speed to find soft spots in zone coverage.
ATHLETIC TESTING
At the combine, Washington measured 5’8 1/2” and 191 lbs. He checked in with an impressive 40-yard dash time of 4.47, a 42.5” vertical jump, a 10’ 6” broad jump, and a 1.53 10-yard split. He finished with an NFL NextGen Stats composite score of 79, ranking him 11th amongst receivers projecting him to be an average starter. Washington is an extremely explosive runner who has the raw athletic tools to succeed at the next level with further development.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Poor
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Great
Washington was selected with the 184th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. While his sixth-round draft capital is disappointing, he couldn’t have landed in a better situation playing under Mike McDaniel in Miami.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
I have Malik Washington ranked as the fifteenth wide receiver in this year’s deep receiver class for projected future Dynasty value but he has sleeper potential. He’s an underdog prospect and has generated player comparisons to Taylor Gabriel.
Expect Washington to be selected anywhere in Dynasty drafts from the early 3rd round to the early 4th round. His immediate upside, though, is capped with where he’ll land on the current Dolphins depth chart behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. But if the rumors of Hill retiring early are true this could boost his value sooner. Drafting him now would have more of a long-term outlook but in the Dolphin’s current offense, I do expect Mike McDaniel to find a role for him and use Washington’s game-changing speed earlier and more effectively than most might expect. Within this creative offense, he has a chance of possibly being 2025’s Puka Nacua.
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