Malik Washington Must Replace 1,175 Yards and the Dolphins Have No Proven Plan B Behind Him

The Miami Dolphins will enter this season as one of the NFL's youngest teams.

In addition, their receiver corps is largely unproven.

That's why Malik Washington enters training camp with the most to prove of any offensive player. Miami released leading wide receiver Tyreek Hill this offseason after four seasons. Jaylen Waddle was also traded to the Broncos for several draft picks.

Washington was a stand-out in minicamp

Washington is entering his third season with the Dolphins after they selected him in the 2024 NFL Draft and he anticipates taking on a larger role this season.

"I mean, an opportunity only works if you meet it with your preparation and how you go about each and every day, Washington said. "For me, it's like I would love to have that big opportunity. I would love to get a chance to go showcase my skills, but I just got to be prepared for that moment and seize it."

According to multiple reports, Washington was one of the standouts during the Dolphins' OTAs and mandatory minicamp this spring. Miami will need him after losing a combined 1,175 receiving yards and seven touchdowns with the departures of Hill and Waddle.

During his first two seasons in Miami, Washington has caught 72 passes for 540 yards and three touchdowns in 31 games. That includes the 46 receptions for 317 yards and three touchdowns he recorded last season.

It's time for Washington to step up

With new Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis under center, it is even more imperative that Washington step up and emerge as the team's top receiver. Miami signed Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell in free agency and drafted Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, but all four players are also largely unproven.

Although there's plenty of pressure on Washington and the rest of the receiving corps to produce, Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley didn't sound particularly concerned during the spring.

"I think it's a work in progress. We've had six practices with limited reps, so I just think it's going to take time," Hafley said. "I think it's improved. It's going to be a work in progress and it's going to take a lot of reps, just like it would with any new quarterback and new wide receiver group, and then you add in we've got a lot of young wideouts that just came in."

"But whoever's playing quarterback right now - it's just going to take time with rhythm."

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This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 5:00 AM.