Despite a standout preseason, rookie Malik Washington opens up about building chemistry with Tua Tagovailoa and his uphill battle for a roster spot in Miamis crowded receiver room.
IMAGE: Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stands on the sidelines during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium. / Jasen Vinlove / Imagn Images
Malik Washington isn’t making any assumptions. Sure, the rookie wideout led the Dolphins in receptions during Miami’s 14-6 preseason win over the Jaguars, but he knows nothing is guaranteed when you’re a sixth-round pick in the NFL.
Washington hauled in three catches for 41 yards Saturday night, showcasing the same crisp route-running and reliable hands that turned heads back at Virginia. But in a room stacked with elite talent, even a solid showing doesn’t instantly move the needle – especially when your quarterback has years of chemistry with two of the fastest receivers in the game.
“I was getting open a couple times, and he just wasn’t even looking my way,” Washington admitted postgame, referring to Tua Tagovailoa. “As we kept going, I was like, ‘OK, he needs to trust.’”
It’s a candid comment, but not an uncommon experience for a rookie trying to break into a loaded offense. Tua’s comfort zone has a clear foundation: Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
They’ve been his 1-2 punch, stretching defenses horizontally and vertically since they teamed up in Miami. Washington knows that reality.
He’s not trying to leapfrog stars. He’s just trying to earn his lane in the rotation.
“I haven’t done anything to make it a shoo-in or make it a given,” Washington said matter-of-factly. “I’m a sixth-round pick, and I always remember that.”
But Washington’s mindset isn’t purely about catching passes – and that’s where he’s starting to gain real traction. Tua, for one, pointed out an underrated aspect of Washington’s performance: his blocking.
“That’s where he’s most improved from last year to this year,” Tagovailoa said. “What gets overlooked with Malik is also the blocking aspect of his game.”
In an offense led by Mike McDaniel – someone who demands elite effort and versatility from his skill players – that detail matters. And the head coach clearly sees something he likes. After the game, McDaniel invoked John Wooden’s famous line about “competitive greatness”: being at your best when your best is required.
“That’s Malik Washington to a T,” McDaniel said. “It just allows him to be that much more versatile for us.”
Washington’s role in the Dolphins’ offense is still coming into focus, especially with Tyreek Hill rehabbing a wrist injury and Jaylen Waddle having missed some practices. Those absences have opened up reps – and Washington has made sure to make the most of them.
Of course, there’s added competition on the horizon. The arrival of veteran tight end Darren Waller could eat into some of the middle-of-the-field opportunities for someone like Washington. But if McDaniel’s praise and Tua’s growing recognition are any indication, Washington will have his role – maybe not as the focal point, but as a trusted third option who can do the little things that win games.
The Dolphins open their 2025 regular season against the Colts – a new chapter with plenty to prove after last year’s frustration. For Malik Washington, the story is just getting started. Wherever he lands in the depth chart, he’s already playing with something you can’t coach: urgency.