Malik Washington embraces competitors after being draft by the Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins added extra game-breaking velocity to its roster by choosing Virginia’s Malik Washington within the sixth spherical after he led faculty soccer with 110 receptions and broke 35 tackles final season.

Tyreek Hill has 119 receptions in every of the final two seasons, and Jaylen Waddle grew to become one of many league’s highest-paid receivers by signing a three-year contract extension. Three-time Professional Bowl extensive receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is within the combine, too.

“Simply be a sponge,” Washington stated of being round these guys. “I received three guys forward of me which can be – they know what they’re doing, they’ve carried out it earlier than, and so they’ve had numerous success at doing it.”

Miami drafted Tahj Washington within the seventh spherical whereas re-signing Braxton Berrios and River Cracraft within the offseason. Erik Ezukanma was cleared from final season’s neck harm. Anthony Schwartz, Je’Quan Burton, Braylon Sanders, and Mathew Sexton are additionally beneath contract.

“In my thoughts, everyone right here is a good participant—one of the best of one of the best,” Washington stated. So I simply need to be higher than one of the best of one of the best by doing my job and doing my finest.

“Each single day is a contest; that’s what we sort of preached at Northwestern and Virginia,” Washington added. “Simply competing towards the man subsequent to you, making that man higher; iron sharpens iron. So, simply bringing that to the NFL as nicely.”

Washington performed 4 seasons and caught 120 complete passes at Northwestern earlier than erupting with 110 receptions for 1,426 yards as a graduate pupil with the Cavaliers.

“I believe there’s a lot to enhance, and there’s quite a bit I’m snug with,” Washington stated of his route tree. It’s simply getting a really feel for the sport, ensuring I’m on time with the quarterback and stuff, and ensuring I do know the place I’m presupposed to be and once I’m presupposed to be there.”

Washington is aware of a factor or two concerning the significance of timing and tempo. He exceeded 100 yards ten instances final season regardless of Anthony Colandrea and Tony Muskett splitting time at quarterback for Virginia.

The 5’ 8½, 191-pound receiver appeared in 12 video games in every of the final three seasons however kicked down the doorways by averaging 9 receptions per sport and 9 touchdowns for the Cavaliers.

“I believe that’s staying within the room together with your quarterback, staying snug, and having a constant relationship with the OC, the quarterbacks, and stuff like that,” Washington stated. “Simply figuring out the place they need you to be and what they need as a result of that’s the way you make performs.”

Washington, a 2023 first-team All-ACC receiver, stole the highlight at Virginia however understands that there’s work wanted to achieve Miami’s offense and achieve the belief of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

“Tua is without doubt one of the most correct passers within the NFL. He does his job,” Washington stated. “The ten guys round him doing their jobs, so I’ve received to be a type of 10 guys that simply are available in, make sure that I’m on time, make sure that I’m the place I’m presupposed to be, and make him proper.”

Miami accomplished its organized crew actions final week, and gamers will report again for the necessary minicamp on June 4-6. Dolphins’ pre-season coaching camp will start July 30.

“I believe the largest two issues I’d need to do is be constant and stack days, stack conferences, stack practices,” Washington stated. “Stack every thing I can. So, simply each single day, give it every thing I’ve received. Being myself and hopefully, that might be ok to guide me down the street to be on the 53.”