In Tua Tagovailoa’s only preseason action so far, the Miami Dolphins quarterback connected with second-year wide receiver Malik Washington on his first four completions of the game. That’s no coincidence. The 24-year-old receiver has a knack for being exactly where Tagovailoa needs him.
While 31-year-old veteran Tyreek Hill admitted earlier this month that he didn’t understand the Dolphins offense in his first three seasons with the team, it seems Washington already has it down pat.
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“His maturity, understanding where he needs to be, and the timing of the offense. I don’t think that’s talked about enough,” Tagovailoa said of Washington on Thursday. “[He’s] very smart, very intuitive, just knows where to be in the right spots. I would say it’s very unique because last year, it kind of blows my mind that he was a rookie with how he comprehends the scheme and how he’s able to go about what we’re asking of him offensively.”
Washington, a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, finished his rookie season with 26 receptions for 223 yards. He also scored a touchdown on an 18-yard rush and rescued the Dolphins with a game-saving punt return in December.
But Washington seems primed for a much bigger role in his sophomore season.
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“Malik is the type of player that’s going to be right where you need him to be,” Tagovailoa said earlier this month. “He’s going to be someone that plays within the timing of the play, knowing how deep he needs to be versus zone coverage and versus man coverage, working his man and getting to the right stem within the right timing as well.
“He takes coaching really, really well, too. If you tell him on a certain route, ‘I don’t like that you did this. I want this.’ Next time it comes up, you know what you’re going to get with him.”
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins WR Malik Washington’s football IQ blows Tua Tagovailoa’s mind