Rookie Malik Washington could be Dolphins’ X-Factor in one department

Breaking news: The Miami Dolphins are loaded with offensive playmakers.

Okay, that’s not exactly amazing analysis. Between quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, receivers Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Odell Beckham Jr., and running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, head coach and offensive shot-caller Mike McDaniel has as many weapons as anybody in the NFL.

That certainly manifested itself in the passing game in the 2023 season. Miami ranked second in the league behind the Minnesota Vikings in passing yards (4,698), fourth in air yards (2,423), third in yards after the catch (2,292), and fourth in receiving touchdowns (30).

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Where the Dolphins weren’t quite as successful was when it was time to create yards after first contact. There, Miami’s targets ranked 22nd in the league with 713. To put that in context, the San Francisco 49ers ranked first in receiving yards after contact with 1,157. McDaniel, who was once Kyle Shanahan’s run game and offensive coordinator in San Francisco, probably looks at his old boss’s offense and would like some of that spice.

And with the selection of Virginia receiver Malik Washington in the sixth round of the 2024 draft, that spice could very well be on the menu. Last season, the 5-foot-8, 194-pound Washington caught 110 passes on 122 targets for 1,426 yards, 679 air yards, 707 yards after the catch… and 339 yards after contact, which ranked first among receivers in this draft class.

Malik Washington, WR, Virginia

PLUSES

— Washington has a great sense of how to create separation at the ball point with short-area burst, subtle push-offs, and driving the defender back on vertical routes. He’s a separation generator (copyright @gregcosell).

— Led all… pic.twitter.com/BbNIT81DHR

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) April 15, 2024

While Washington has enticing speed and quickness on the field, what sets him apart is his build and his mentality, which is much more like a running back’s. It’s in those contested situations where you see his desire to extend the play by any means necessary.

.@MiamiDolphins rookie receiver Malik Washington led every receiver in this class in yards after contact. He forced 22 missed tackles in 2023, which would be pretty decent for a running back. That brand of YAC is one of the few things Miami didn’t really have… until now. pic.twitter.com/xmmFlybJpx

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 6, 2024

The question is how often Washington…