Dolphins WR dishes on offseason throwing sessions with Malik Willis

The Miami Dolphins are two days into training camp, and following Thursday’s practice, the team’s longest-tenured wide receiver, Malik Washington, spoke with South Florida reporters. Although entering just his third NFL season, Washington has been the most senior receiver for the Dolphins in snaps on Miami and time with the team.

This is among a group of receivers that includes a seldom-used 2024 draft classmate of Washington’s, two 2025 undrafted free agents, four rookies (three drafted and a UDFA) and several veteran free agent fliers.

Washington doubles as a return man and has shown sparks of being a multifaceted weapon in his two seasons. He has made 72 receptions for 540 yards, with three receiving touchdowns, along with 110 yards on seven rushing attempts with two ground scores. He also has returned 38 punts for 394 yards, which includes a Week 2 touchdown from last season against the New England Patriots. He is also the Dolphins’ all-time leader in average yards per kick-off return (among those with 50 attempts) with 27.9.

On Thursday, he fielded questions from the media and discussed new quarterback Malik Willis, a summer practice season up in Jacksonville, as well as the elimination of 7-on-7 drills under the new coaching of Jeff Hafley.

When asked about Willis and the chemistry they developed over the summer, Washington said, “I think it’s huge for him just to ask some of the guys to come out there and be with him, and we get some of that time to bond. Whether we’re on the field or not, we’re getting a chance to just get to know each other a little bit better, get to know each other’s families and learn about each other.”

He added, “Then we get on the field, and we get some timing down. We get some: how do you run this route, how do you get out this break, so I think that time is invaluable and I think it will help us this year.”

Washington detailed those Jacksonville training sessions, describing, “We actually had to drive like 30 minutes every single time to the field, so I wasn’t happy about that. But we get up probably around like 8:00, and we get out there, throw. We have some spotting sessions, and we’ll run some routes and stuff like that, and then we’ll go to a gym, we’ll work out with Malik’s trainers.”

He continued, “We’ll all just bond together. We’ll grab some lunch after that. We’ll spend some time together, maybe grab dinner. The World Cup was going on, so we spent a lot of time just watching some soccer, like just getting closer and closer as a group.”

A follow-up was asked about Washington’s highlight from the offseason work, and he said, “The throwing sessions. I think coming off OTAs, we needed more just being on the same page, knowing how different guys get out of breaks because it’s going to be different for each guy. I think my highlight of that was actually throwing and actually getting out on the field.”

The quarterback and wide-out connection with the same initials also has a set nickname, as Washington said, “I say we go with the MW2. I think I like that.”

Washington then was questioned about the lack of 7-on-7 drills, and he elaborated, “Yeah, 7-on-7 sometimes can be a little bit unrealistic, so I think us actually just playing football is the best way to get better at football. I like this, going out there and doing team.”

He also gave his thoughts on Hafley not bringing back the famous orange jerseys during practices, and stated, “No, I think the emphasis is the team right now, and it’s us playing together. It’s us pouring into each other. There’s no need for any like rah rah; the excitement is just being able to come out here and practice against each other and continue to get better.”

To close out his presser, Washington was asked about his new position coach Tyke Tolbert, and he said, “Tyke is an old head, man. He brings a lot of sayings that we don’t understand and a lot of old school stuff. But the most important thing he does is just he wants to break the game down. He wants technique. He thinks technique beats everything.”

Washington and the Dolphins have a long way to go, but there seems to be excitement under Hafley as well as plenty of new faces.

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins WR dishes on offseason throwing sessions with Malik Willis