Virginia WR Malik Washington has been one of the fastest risers of the 2024 NFL Draft cycle, but does he have the scouting report to earn a selection within the top 100 picks? Here’s the full rundown on Washington and the tools he brings to the table.
Malik Washington Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 192 pounds
- Position: Wide Receiver
- School: Virginia
- Current Year: Redshirt Senior
In 2023, Washington joined the Virginia Cavaliers as a grad transfer after four seasons with the Northwestern Wildcats. He proceeded to have arguably the greatest receiving season in Virginia school history.
Washington caught 110 passes for 1,426 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023. He broke a school single-season receiving yardage record set by three-time NFL All-Pro Herman Moore. His reception mark cleared the previous record-holder by a count of almost 30.
Washington had shown promise in Northwestern’s offense — a unit infamously restricted by inconsistent QB play. Washington managed 65 catches for 694 yards and a TD in 2022. But still, no one could have predicted his 2023 eruption.
Malik Washington was a premier playmaker for @UVAFootball in 2023. 🔥
His ability to create before and after the catch could make him an impact player at the next level. 👀 #GoHoos | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/RvCZcbBbK1
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 15, 2024
Washington accounted for over 44% of his team’s receptions, over 47% of his team’s receiving yardage, and nearly half of his team’s TD output. Suffice it to say, the team captain was not only a leadership presence but also a premier playmaker.
Washington’s production earned him an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he proceeded to distinguish himself as one of the best players present. And now, as Washington rises, everyone is asking: How high can he go in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Malik Washington Scouting Report
Strengths
- Ultra-explosive, high-energy athlete with hyperactive twitch and nitrous in his soles.
- Can use his explosiveness and speed to stack defensive backs after going vertical.
- Actively uses lateral twitch to off-set on releases and explodes out of route breaks.
- Fluid, variable route runner with acute angle freedom and suddenness at stems.
- Can press upfield into stems with speed, then violently retract back and halt momentum.
- Can stack direction changes and head fakes on double-moves before surging upfield.
- Has the awareness to find open zones on QB scramble drills and make himself available.
- Reliable hands-catcher with strong mitts over the middle, even amidst contact.
- Has the hand strength to reel in contested targets and convert on clutch downs.
- Has shown he can make unnatural adjustments downfield and extend beyond his frame.
- Has the body control, tracking ability, and coordination to gather high-difficulty catches.
- Can use late hands after tracking deep passes to freeze DBs and give himself space.
- Burly, well-leveraged frame translates to exceptional contact balance after the catch.
- Has the play strength and physicality to pry through arm tackles while keeping speed.
- Can send defenders lurching with brisk one-cut agility as a RAC threat.
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t have the size to box out defensive backs at the catch point.
- Below-average length and wingspan can limit his catch radius working past his frame.
- Length inhibits his ability to work through press coverage versus comparable athletes.
- Vertical speed, while exceptional, visibly falls below the elite breakaway mark.
- Short-strider mold limits top-end range and allows him to be run down in pursuit.
- With his density, can be a bit muscle-bound on successive cuts in the RAC phase.
- Sometimes drifts too far upfield on releases, playing into DB leverage.
- At times, can tighten redirect angles on route breaks to further bait DBs off their spot.
- Doesn’t have the size or length to be a consistent asset as a blocker.
- With less viability against press coverage, may be relegated to the slot primarily.
- Being a fifth-year senior, may be a slightly older NFL rookie.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
Malik Washington grades out as a top-75 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, who could field interest anywhere from mid-to-late Day 2. He’d be a steal if he were to sneak into the Day 3 range. He profiles as a starting slot receiver very early in his NFL career.
At 5’8″and 192 pounds, Washington fits the three-level WR framework well. Before the catch, he’s an explosive yet fluid route runner with a solid route tree and usage versatility on designed catches and motions.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
After the catch, Washington combines his explosive, hyperactive athleticism and agility with a dense, compact frame that yields exceptional contact balance, and he’s also an urgent, physical RAC receiver who seeks out extra yardage by any means necessary.
Washington excels at creating before and after the catch, but his skills at the catch point are just as compelling.
While he doesn’t have a wide catch radius, Washington is an extremely instinctive pass catcher with exceptional ball-tracking ability, patience, and body control, and his hands of glue make him a situation-diverse target funnel with the utility on money downs.
Washington’s size does limit him at times in contested situations, and he also doesn’t have the length to combat press coverage consistently. But as a slot WR with usage versatility and clutch receiving chops, he can be a quality starter early in his NFL career and an impact starter at his peak.
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