Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel knows what he likes. And what he likes is quick, undersized wide receivers who wreak havoc in the secondary.
McDaniel added yet another one to his collection in the sixth round, drafting Virginia speedster Malik Washington in the sixth round.
Miami Dolphins Draft Malik Washington With 184th Pick
The Basics
- Age: 23
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 192 pounds
- Position: Wide Receiver
- School: Virginia
- Current Year: Redshirt Senior
- PFN Big Board Ranking: No. 184 overall (No. 16 WR)
The Fit
The Dolphins need a long-term slot receiver, and Washington is among the best in the entire draft class.
One of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award after putting up a school-record 110 catches for 1,426 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, Washington can get in and out of breaks like a performance vehicle. Plus, he catches everything.
In 2024, he will compete with Braxton Berrios (and any veteran the Dolphins sign between now and the start of the season) for Miami’s WR3 job.
But long-term, he has a chance to ease the post-Tyreek Hill transition.
“I’m joining the best wide receiver room in the NFL,” Washington told reporters Saturday.
The sure-handed Washington ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, including a 1.53-second 10-yard split.
If Washington were three inches taller, he almost certainly would have been a second-day pick (at worst).
MORE: Dolphins Draft Electric RB Jaylen Wright
Instead, he fell to the Dolphins, who picked up their second fast-twitch skill-position player in a couple hours. Washington will join Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright in what could be a dynamic draft class.
PFN’s Grade
“Virginia wide receiver Malik Washington heads to the Dolphins having racked up over 1,400 yards in his final collegiate season. An ascending prospect who aced the draft process – including earning PFN Offensive Player of the Week at the Shrine Bowl – Washington is a dynamic and reliable weapon out of the slot.
“Miami was rumored to be in the market for a wide receiver, with talk of them even using their Round 1 pick at the position. They get an instant impact-maker who ranked as the 81st overall player in the class on the PFN Big Board.” — PFN Draft Analyst Oli Hodgkinson
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