Malik

Washington

Washington’s season ends with 26 receptions for 223 scoreless yards. The rookie sixth-rounder showed flashes over the final month of the season, surpassing 40 receiving yards in three of his final four games, with his best outing coming on a 5-52-0 line against the Texans in Week 15. Washington’s 2025 outlook immediately becomes more interesting following Tyreek Hill’s postgame comments against the Jets, where he suggested he wanted out of Miami after a challenging season. Washington displayed good versatility this season both on the outside and in the slot, but played almost exclusively as a slot receiver in college, which could foreshadow where most of his professional career will be spent. He’ll likely face an uphill battle for meaningful playing time in 2025, but could pop up as a training camp darling with another year of experience under his belt.

Washington deserves all of the credit for setting up the Dolphins’ successful field goal attempt with one second remaining in the first half. Tyler Huntley exclusively targeted the shifty rookie receiver on the drive, which started at the Browns’ 49-yard line with 28 seconds left. Washington’s best play included a very tough grab on a late pass, one missed tackle forced and a first-down pickup that included post-contact yardage. Washington likely earned more opportunities with the clutch showing on his three-catch drive. His five targets trailed only Tyreek Hill and Washington tacked on two punt returns for 20 yards as well. He makes for a volatile WR4/5 against the Jets next week if Jaylen Waddle (knee) is inactive.

Waddle managed just two limited practice sessions this week, leading to varying reports about the No. 2 wide receiver’s availability. This is a must-win game for the 7-8 Dolphins so the fact that the team opted to keep him on the sidelines suggests Waddle is in the thick of a rigorous rehab program. Malik Washington could see an extra target or two with Waddle sidelined but it would be unsurprising to see Mike McDaniel feed his proven pass catchers around the line of scrimmage, with backup QB Tyler Huntley under center.

Washington stepped into the starting lineup with Jaylen Waddle out this week. He was the only Miami wide receiver outside of Tyreek Hill to catch more than one pass, though that still resulted in a quiet stat line from the rookie. He will look to get more involved in the passing attack versus the Browns in Week 17 if Waddle remains out. Washington will top out at a WR5 ranking for Miami’s road trip to Cleveland.

Hill was listed as a DNP on Wednesday, though that’s not anything too unusual for the veteran receiver. Things appeared to be normal after he got back for a full session on Thursday. Miami threw us a curveball on their final injury report, listing Hill as questionable after a limited session. Hill has been playing through the wrist injury all season. Even as it got worse a month ago, he never missed any time. We expect him to suit up this week, though fantasy managers need to check in on his status before kickoff. Malik Washington is now a priority add off the waiver wire. The rookie was already set for a larger role with Jaylen Waddle listed as doubtful. He could now be the team’s No. 1 receiver for the fantasy football semifinals.

This barely keeps alive his hopes of playing against San Francisco after not practicing all week. Waddle’s likely absence will leave rookie Malik Washington as Miami’s No. 3 target behind Tyreek Hill and Jonnu Smith, potentially setting him up as a deep-league FLEX or dart throw as the Dolphins take on the 49ers to try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Waddle left Week 15’s game against the Texans and was listed as questionable to return. He did not do so but was also never ruled out officially. Mike McDaniel called him day to day on Monday and left it at that today. If Waddle can’t suit up on Sunday, rookie Malik Washington will see the bulk of the WR2 snaps for Miami. Washington caught five passes for 52 yards in releif of Waddle last week.

He was Miami’s leading receiver, which says more about the fact that he had one 20-yard catch in an otherwise brutal Dolphins passing offense than anything he showed on the field. Washington was second on the team behind Tyreek Hill in snaps with Jaylen Waddle mostly sidelined, and he figures to be involved heavily in Week 16 against the 49ers if Waddle sits again. He’s a volume-based waiver wire stab if we don’t get good news on Waddle.

Washington Thanksgiving got off to a rocky start with a muffed punt in the blustery condition of Lambeau Field. It was the first of many plays that brought up Miami’s struggles when the temperature dropped below an arbitrary threshold. Fumbled punt aside, it was a quiet night for the rookie. He out-targeted Odell Beckham 4-2, though neither player is seeing the ball enough to be on the fantasy radar for Week 14.

Washington took a jet sweep 18 yards to the house to cap off the team’s first possession, marking only the second opening possession touchdown of the season for the Dolphins. He continued to split snaps with veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., the latter of whom played more offensive snaps but managed just 17 scoreless yards on his two touches. Washington likely needs an injury ahead of him on the depth chart to return consistent fantasy production.