Malik

Washington

Washington’s previous season-low in targets was five. He had also reached at least 43 receiving yards in every game before today. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that his worst box score of the season came in Caleb Douglas’s first game back from a month-long absence. With more competition for targets on a team that doesn’t want to pass the football, Washington is trending in the wrong direction headed into Week 8. He will be a low-end WR4 versus the Patriots next week.

Washington was the most involved Dolphins receiver, leading the team in targets and receiving yards. He started things off with an 18-yard rush and saw a steady peppering of low-depth targets. Though he led all Dolphins skill-position players in snaps, Washington doesn’t see many scoring opportunities in the Miami offense. After a Week 6 bye, The 25-year-old is a volume-based FLEX play Week 7 against the Jets.

Washington remains one of the Dolphins’ primary returners despite his increased receiving involvement. His day began with a muffed punt that he successfully recovered in the end zone for a touchback. Things improved from there. Washington delivered multiple double-digit gains, functioning effectively as a weapon behind the line of scrimmage and in the flats. He also turned in a 17-yarder via a corner route on play action. Rookie WR Caleb Douglas (ankle) may return for next week’s game against the Saints. If he remains sidelined, Washington should be FLEX-viable, though his ceiling is questionable.

We expect to see Douglas listed with a second DNP next to his name today, putting him on the wrong side of questionable for Week 4 against the Vikings. Were he indeed to miss this week’s game, WRs Chris Bell (knee) and Malik Washington would benefit. Washington’s target volume is somewhat intriguing, but Bell looks like the far more talented player.

Douglas, who has shown flashes in limited action so far this season, did not suit up in Week 3 against the Chiefs and looks like a long shot for Week 4 against the Vikings. Douglas’ absence would be a potential boost for Malik Washington, who leads the Dolphins in targets and air yards through Week 3. Minnesota’s defense, while elite, has allowed the fourth most air yards this season and profiles as a pass-funnel.

Every total was a new season high for Washington, including the carries. It briefly appeared Washington might be the Dolphins’ emergency lead back, as De’Von Achane was knocked out with a knee injury and Ollie Gordon was cramping. With Achane seemingly set for a long absence, Washington could indeed be in line for more rushing usage. That makes him a slightly more viable WR4, but rookies Chris Bell and Caleb Douglas still offer more overall upside heading into Week 4 against the Vikings. That’s, of course, if Douglas returns from his ankle injury.

Douglas suffered an ankle injury in Miami’s Week 2 loss to the 49ers and did not return. He was spotted in a boot after the game. Hafley has been noncommittal when talking about Douglas’s Week 3 status, though we suspect he won’t suit up versus the Chiefs. Malik Washington is locked in as the team’s No. 1 receiver now, giving him some appeal as a FLEX option this week. Rookie Chris Bell should also see an uptick in routes, making him worth stashing in deeper leagues.

Washington led the Dolphins’ receivers in targets and was leading the team in receiving yards before one garbage time pass to Ryan Miller. Washington played on 43 of the team’s 56 snaps and ran a route on 26 of their 30 dropbacks, so he has the second-biggest role among the receivers. The issue is that he is not seeing downfield passes, and the Dolphins appear to be unable to move the ball. It’s not a situation to attack outside of the deepest fantasy formats.

Washington is a complementary third receiver currently running as the Dolphins’ No. 2 player at the position. He produced a nice 30-yard catch-and-run on a crossing route, but later had the ball punched out by a Raiders defender, and the Raiders recovered, sealing his team’s loss. Washington is a WR5/6 against the 49ers in Week 2.

Malik Willis, Hafley said during a Tuesday presser, is still building chemistry with the team’s pass catchers in OTAs and working on timing. That presumably includes Malik Washington, who had 46 catches for 317 yards and three scores last season, and Greg Dulcich, who’s expected by Miami beat writers to “figure heavily” into the team’s passing attack in 2026. Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell could also see heavy snaps in the Miami passing game this season. Tolbert, who flashed in Dallas in 2024 with 610 yards and seven touchdowns, could emerge as the Dolphins’ top pass-catching option with a solid training camp. There likely won’t be much target volume to go around, however, considering the team’s plans to operate a run-heavy offense.