More evidence that Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington can be a 2026 success story has arrived
The questions around the ceiling of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington are understandable but his company in this stat signals room for growth.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington is facing a massive opportunity. The return specialist and ancillary pass catcher of 2024 and 2025 has a chance to seize a big role in Miami’s 2026 passing attack.
There are some doubts, fueled in large part by a modest yards per reception average and the lack of splash production in Miami’s offense over his first two seasons. But as we’ve already discussed this offseason, Washington has the chance to make a brand new first impression with a brand new offensive play caller. And the biggest question about Washington’s game to date actually has some pretty strong company, if you’re willing to look closer.
Miami Dolphins WR Malik Washington’s company among low air-yards targets holds promise for bigger role
From an air yards per target standpoint, Malik Washington is one of the least utilized receivers in football down the field in the last two seasons. I’m not talking about 20+ air yards downfield, either. On a per target basis Washington has the third-lowest air yards per target average of any receiver in football since he came into the league. It’s a paltry 5.27 yards downfield.
Among all NFL receivers, Washington is tied for 15th in targets at or behind the line of scrimmage (34) since 2024. That mark comes despite Washington running just 607 routes over the last two seasons. That mark ranks 78th among receivers. A disproportionate amount of his work is coming at or behind the line of scrimmage.
The question is whether or not that’s all Washington can be or if there’s more to his game? Was he limited by the scheme? Or is this just who he is. Expect 2026 to bring clarity. But he has some strong peers in the proverbial “schemed touch” realm. Not necessarily superstars and game breakers, but sufficient and quality starting NFL wide receivers.
Washington’s company among low air yard targets in the NFL
Here are some of the names who also share low air-yards per target workload over the last two seasons:
- Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice
- Buffalo Bills receiver Khalil Shakir
- Washington Commanders receiver Deebo Samuel
All three have an air yards per target total below 6.0 yards. And Rice and Shakir actually average less air yards per target than Washington. The big difference is opportunity. Washington’s caught 72 passes over the last two seasons, plus a gaggle of his whopping 22 carries — many of them passes that simply went backwards from the release point and were logged rushes on a technicality.
Washington isn’t going to be a field stretcher. But he’s got more to his game than what he’s shown. And now, he’s got a different offensive coordinator, a different quarterback, and a different head coach trying to tie things together. The hope, of course, is that he can become a reliable underneath receiver with chemistry with quarterback Malik Willis. If we can get that, we should see Washington put up respectable numbers in 2026. And, potentially, ease the questions about his future role with Miami.
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