Malik Willis' top WR target emerges at Dolphins' camp

Malik Washington is making the most of the opportunity 

Washington has been reportedly making the most of those opportunities and developing a chemistry with Willis. While Schad believes there's a chance rookie Chris Bell - the Dolphins' third round pick - could make Miami's wide receiver depth chart to be more of a 1A/1B scenario, he, like others, are saying Washington is "clearly" Willis' top target at this time. 

Why it makes sense for Malik Willis to turn to Malik Washington 

It makes perfect sense for Willis, brought in as the replacement for the departed Tua Tagovailoa, to feel most comfortable with Washington as he enters the season as the undisputed starter for the first time in his career. 

Washington's increased role comes as he's preparing for his third NFL season. In 2025, he caught 46 passes for 375 yards and scored three touchdowns while playing in all 17 games. As a rookie in 2024, he recorded 26 receptions and 223 yards. 

Beyond Washington and Bell, Caleb Douglas, Theo Wease Jr. and Terrace Marshall Jr. make up the rest of the Dolphins' wide receiver depth chart. Wease's next game will only be his fourth in the NFL, and while the most veteran of the group, Marshall has played in just 43 games across four years and has only exceeded 200 yards in a season once - his career-high is 490 yards from 2022 with the Carolina Panthers. 

Despite Washington's emergence, there's plenty of reason for concern when an offense looks poised to rely on so much inexperience at the skilled positions.