The Miami Dolphins got their first padded practice of camp on Monday, and Malik Washington made sure his name stood out in a day full of big plays.
Washington was the offense’s main source of explosives, first tracking down a deep ball for 60 yards before adding a 45-yard catch-and-run, with both plays coming from starting quarterback Malik Willis.
Washington has been one of the more polarizing pieces on Miami’s roster through his first two seasons. The raw production is there enough to catch your eye: 72 receptions and a primary role as punt returner.
For a former sixth-round pick, that sounds useful. The problem is how little he has done with those chances.
Among players with at least 101 targets over the last two seasons, Washington is tied for third-lowest in yards per target, according to Stathead Football. That’s why Monday’s chunk plays mattered so much. If he’s going to carve out a bigger role, this is the kind of damage he has to keep creating.
The lack of splash plays has been a real issue. Washington’s longest catch in both of his two seasons has been just 28 yards.
For a player with his quickness and ability to make people miss, that’s a tough number to square with the volume of opportunities he’s had. Usage has played a part in that, too.
According to Pro Football Focus, his average depth of target was the third lowest among receivers with his target total last season.
There’s also a path here for Washington to show more in 2026. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle taking most of the downfield work over the past two seasons, their departures could open the door for Washington to prove he can do more than operate underneath. At 5'8", 195 pounds, he may never be the kind of receiver who wins consistently on the outside, but there’s room for him to add vertical juice from the slot.
He’ll have competition for those deeper chances. Tutu Atwell and rookie Caleb Douglas are both threats in that area of the field.
Even so, Washington showing this kind of growth this early in camp is a good sign that his best football might still be ahead. For Malik Willis, that would be a welcome development.
In Other News...
Dolphins First Padded Practice Raised Real Questions Up Front
The Dolphins got into pads for the first time in training camp, and the session had the feel of an early measuring stick for both sides of the ball. Miami worked through one-on-one drills but skipped 7-on-7 periods, giving the first real glimpse of how the lines would hold up once contact picked up. Cornerback Ethan Bonner stood out with an interception and tight coverage, while Malik Willis put together a strong passing day as the team sorted through the opening physical tests.
Up front, the review was less tidy. The offensive line showed mixed results, which is exactly the kind of thing that gets more attention once the pads come on, and the absences also mattered with Greg Dulcich and Jamaree Salyer out. Austin Jackson was limited because of injury, leaving the Dolphins with more questions than answers about how settled they are across the front as camp begins to turn from installation to evaluation. [Read more 🡒]
Christian Wilkins Still Looms Over A Bigger Dolphins Question
Clelin Ferrells arrival in Miami brought an immediate reminder of how much Christian Wilkins meant to some of the players who passed through the locker room with him. Ferrell pointed to his former college teammate as a positive influence in his own decision to join the Dolphins, a small but telling note about the kind of presence Wilkins had during his five seasons in Miami before heading to Las Vegas.
Now Wilkins is back on the market, though the conversation around him is much bigger than simple free agency. He has not played in nearly two years, and after a contract dispute with the Raiders, his NFL future is far from settled. Ferrell said he hopes Wilkins draws interest somewhere, but for now the more important question is whether a player who once felt like a foundational piece can actually find his way back onto a field. [Read more 🡒]
Malik Willis Gives Dolphins Fans An Early Reason To Stay Patient
Malik Willis is still in the early stages of settling in with the Dolphins, and the first four practices of training camp have offered a little bit of everything. The new quarterback has flashed enough to show why Miami wanted to take a look, but the staff has kept the emphasis on his passing fundamentals while he gets accustomed to the playbook, the timing and the new faces around him.
For now, the job is less about highlight plays and more about steady progress, which is why the coming weeks matter so much. Willis is still working through that pocket-passing focus as he develops chemistry with teammates, including rookie Caleb Douglas, and the sense around camp is that he is improving without quite being where the Dolphins want him yet. The preseason should provide a better read on how far he can come. [Read more 🡒]