Following the departures of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, it is time for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington to step up as a No. 1 receiver with new quarterback Malik Willis.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington has experienced a lot of change during his first two seasons with the team.
From adjusting to the speed of the NFL to adapting to changes around him in Miami's offense, Washington has had plenty to learn since the Dolphins selected him in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Now entering his third season, Washington appears ready to turn those experiences into a bigger role, with the Dolphins having moved on from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Washington recently discussed his development, his time with the Dolphins and his outlook for the 2026 season on “4th & South,” a podcast hosted by former Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry and star running back Leonard Fournette.
The Dolphins have a new regime in general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, a new offensive coordinator in Bobby Slowik calling the plays and, perhaps most notably for Washington, a new quarterback in Malik Willis.
"I think it's a learning curve," Washington said.
After spending his first two seasons learning the offense and building chemistry with quarterbacks in Miami’s previous system, including Tua Tagovailoa and Quinn Ewers, Washington is once again starting over in many ways.
"You can't get caught up in labels. You can't get caught up in what everybody else is saying. You got to play your game. You got to show up each and every day like thinking like, 'Bro, I've been the one. Like, I've been the one since I came in.' And that's kind of how your mindset had to be and whether it was true or not, you had to work like that," Washington said.
Washington stated that he has the mindset of being "the one," or taking on the role of WR1 for the offense.
The 25-year-old had a quiet rookie season, logging 26 receptions for 223 yards, averaging 8.36 yards per catch.
Those numbers increased last season, with the former Virginia standout catching 46 passes for a career-best 317 yards and three touchdowns.
The conversation with Landry and Fournette gave Washington an opportunity to reflect on how much has changed since he arrived in Miami and what he hopes to accomplish moving forward.
That continued growth could be especially important this season.
With Hill and Waddle no longer in the picture, opportunities exist for other receivers to become more prominent pieces of the Dolphins’ passing attack.
Washington is also more of a veteran now, even though 2026 is only his third season.
While his production has improved during each of his first two years, the next step will be turning that gradual progression into a significant jump.
The Dolphins need to find out whether Washington can become more than a complementary piece and establish himself as a reliable target in the new-look offense.
The quarterback change could be particularly significant.
Willis brings a different skill set and playing style to Miami than the quarterbacks Washington has worked with previously, and that was on full display during the first drive of Miami’s 20-7 loss to the Washington Commanders in its preseason opener.
Willis' ability to extend plays with his legs can create more opportunities for receivers like Washington.
The two will need to develop an understanding of where the other is going to be when a play breaks down, how quickly Washington can separate, and when Willis expects him to find space.
The Dolphins will need Washington to perform like a No. 1 receiver when all is said and done, and he appears ready for the challenge.
