Malik Washington was not viewed as a fantasy asset in 2025, albeit in some dynasty leagues. He was a sixth-round pick out of Virginia, a return specialist with some receiving upside, listed third on the depth chart behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, earmarked as a gadget piece. However, Tyreek Hill‘s gruesome Week 4 injury brought Washington into the picture of Miami’s passing game.
This article will examine Malik Washington‘s 2026 outlook, analyzing his 2025 production alongside his current contract value. Let’s jump into things.
What the Numbers Actually Say
The 2025 Miami Dolphins’ passing game was built around three pillars following Hill’s injury: Jaylen Waddle as the easy WR1, De’Von Achane as the dual-threat backfield weapon, and a rotating cast at TE anchored by Darren Waller.
Let’s look at Washington’s role before and after the star WR injury.
Weeks 1–4 (With Tyreek Hill active): Washington averaged roughly 3–4 targets per game, functioning primarily on jet sweeps, quick screens, and gadget concepts. His snap count hovered around 40–45%. He totaled just eight catches for 47 yards in the four games.
Weeks 5–18 (Post-Hill, WR2 Role): Washington averaged 4.8 targets per game, saw his snap rate jump above 65%, and recorded multiple catches in 13 of his 14 appearances. His per-game averages climbed to 18.1 yards receiving and 7.2 PPR points.
His full-season line: 59 targets, 43 receptions for 311 receiving yards and two TDs, supplemented meaningfully by his role in the run game, where he added 15 carries and contributed in the return game throughout.
You can see his season performance visualized below, and a clear rise in production followed the opening in the WR room is evident. Washington was consistently putting between six and eight points a week, with strong fantasy performances dependent on TDs.
His pre- and post-Tyreek Hill stats are visualized below, and we see a clear rise in his performance with increased opportunity. Washington saw his chance and stepped up, putting up a very high catch rate of 74.5%, well above the league average of around 65%.
What a Contract Doesn’t Tell You
Unlike the analyses of DJ Moore and DeVonta Smith in this series, Washington is still on his rookie contract, a four-year deal as a sixth-round pick that pays him under $1 million annually through 2026. He is one of the most affordable players on the Dolphins roster, which cuts both ways: he has no contract protection guaranteeing his role, but he also has no incentive to sit out or force his way off a depth chart. His future in Miami depends entirely on what the front office does this offseason to rebuild around Waddle.
If they add a veteran WR2, names like Tyler Lockett, Keenan Allen, or draft a WR in the first two rounds, Washington’s relevance will be close to none. If they go into 2026 trusting Waddle, Washington, and internal development, he is looking at 60–70 targets and a legitimate WR3/flex role.
Conclusion
Malik Washington showed he has some value for the Dolphins, considering his low cost. It is likely, however, that Miami grabs another WR in the draft to help a QB they pick early, or potentially young passer Quinn Ewers if he wins the job in the offseason. While he isn’t the best fantasy asset, he is worth storing on dynasty rosters if you can grab him for cheap, around third-round pick value.
from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/divm2Q8
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