The Miami Dolphins shared wide receiver Malik Washington’s live reaction to being welcomed to the team in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Washington, who played collegiately at Northwestern University and the University of Virginia, was a sixth-round pick by Miami.
The young receiver seemed excited when Dolphins general manager Chris Grier called him during the draft.
Passion and toughness.
The call that made @malik_w2 a Dolphin 📞 pic.twitter.com/49jLCHlpnX
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 28, 2024
“Listen, enjoyed watchin’ you play,” Grier told Washington. “Just the passion, the toughness you play with the ball in your hand and the production you’ve done — it was a fun year watchin’, and you guys put up some points, and the ball was goin’ to you all the time.”
Washington responded by saying he’s still “got to make the play,” something that Grier seemed to appreciate.
“That’s right, man,” Grier said. “Well, that’s why Coach [Mike] McDaniel here is gettin’ ready to talk to ya. And that’s why he zeroed in on ya. He’s been buggin’ me to draft you here in the last couple rounds.”
Washington then got to hear from McDaniel, who now has another weapon to integrate into his offensive scheme.
“That’s an understatement,” McDaniel said of Grier’s comments. “I’ve been seriously annoying towards him.”
McDaniel added more.
“Rookie year can be very productive if you are a pro, which I know you can immediately because you’re gonna have the opportunity,” he said. “And it can be as much as you want it.”
Last season at Virginia, Washington made 110 receptions for 1,426 yards and nine touchdowns. It was by far the best statistical season of his collegiate career.
Mailk Washington making Payton Wilson miss… 👀 pic.twitter.com/g6JsBmx0f8
— Two Growls One Roar (@2growls1roar) February 19, 2024
After tallying just three receiving touchdowns in four years at Northwestern, Washington became one of the focal points in Virginia’s offense during the 2023 season.
Now, he’ll get a chance to play alongside two of the best receivers in the NFL in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Miami also selected another receiver — Tahj Washington — in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Dolphins had one of the best offenses in the NFL in the 2023 season, finishing second in the league in points scored and first in total yards during the regular season.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for Miami to have any postseason success, as the team was knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
McDaniel has shown he can use rookies effectively in the past, including in the 2023 season with running back De’Von Achane, who had several big games for Miami despite dealing with injury troubles along the way.
Hopefully, McDaniel can get the most out of Malik Washington as the Dolphins chase a playoff spot once again in the 2024 campaign.
