With roster changes and a new regime, the young wide receiver has all the ingredients for a breakout campaign.
First-year Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan have made it clear that they are going to reshape the 53-man roster their way.
Gone are the deep-ball playmaking wide receivers Tyreek Hill, who remains a free agent, and Jaylen Waddle, now with the Denver Broncos.
One player who remains with the organization is wide receiver Malik Washington, who is entering his third season with the Dolphins.
"I'm going to listen regardless. I think it takes us to follow his lead, and that's what makes kind of a good leader is how he gets the followers to follow him. I think everybody's doing a good job of listening, honing in on the details, doing what he's asking us to do," Washington said in June about Hafley.
When Washington steps on the field later this month for the start of training camp, he will have a new quarterback throwing him the ball in Malik Willis, whom the Dolphins signed to a three-year deal in March.
The word from OTAs and minicamp is Washington has also been establishing some good chemistry with Willis, though that won't matter until the pair truly connect with the pads come on during training camp.
Washington spent his first two seasons catching passes from Tua Tagovailoa, with the former Virginia standout emerging as a promising playmaker in 2025.
Hill's season-ending knee injury in Week 3 last year against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium and inconsistent play at the position really opened the door for Washington to emerge as Miami's lead option in the room.
He showed a glimpse of that next step last season, catching a career-best 315 receiving yards and a career-high three touchdowns while finishing fourth on the team in receiving yards.
More importantly, Washington proved he could make the most of his opportunities. His quickness, reliable hands, and ability to create yards after the catch fit naturally within Miami's offensive philosophy. Whether lining up in the slot, working underneath coverage or creating explosive plays on designed touches, Washington demonstrated versatility that offensive coordinators value.
Entering the 2026 season, Washington finds himself in a Dolphins wide receiver room that is far from settled.
With Miami relying on a group featuring Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert, Theo Wease Jr., Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, Terrace Marshall Jr. and AJ Henning, there is no established No. 1 target. That uncertainty creates a prime opportunity for Washington to carve out a larger role and take the next step in his development.
If he capitalizes on an unsettled receiver rotation and continues the upward trajectory he established last season, he has a legitimate chance to emerge as one of the Dolphins' biggest surprises under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
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