Dolphins WR has one big goal on his mind for 2026

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington originally joined the team as a sixth-round pick (No. 184 overall) in the 2024 NFL draft following a collegiate career split between Northwestern and Virginia.

Over his first two seasons, Washington caught 72 passes for 540 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 135 yards and two scores. He also served as the team’s primary punt and kick returner.

Heading into his third year in the league, Washington is looking to make one change, and it doesn’t have much to do with his production.

“I want to be a leader in that room,” he said during his media availability on Tuesday. “I want to be a leader on this team. I want to make guys want to go harder. I want to make guys want to work and put in everything they got each and every day. That starts with the receiver room and just getting those guys to approach the day like they’re going to be the best. We all want to be WR1s, we all want to take the load, so approach it like that.”

Washington is fighting for opportunities this offseason, as he’s one of just three holdovers from last year’s wide receiver room. Over the last few months, Miami has brought in Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert, Terrace Marshall Jr., Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, Kevin Coleman Jr., Jalen Reagor and Donaven McCulley.

It would be unlikely that Washington doesn’t make the roster with the versatility he brings to the roster, but being a leader in an important room full of new players make him even harder to move on from.