With the 184th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select…
Malik Washington, Wide Receiver, West Virginia
Those famous words will forever ring in the ears of Miamiâs 2024 sixth-round draft pick, and now, theyâll forever be engraved on his leg. NFL Networkâs Mike Garafolo shared the story of Washingtonâs newest Ink â which has the words âTrust Yourselfâ tatted alongside his draft day announcement. A picture of his hand on a helmet where the journey all started finishes the piece. To say itâs stunning would be an understatement.
Hereâs a look at Washingtonâs tattoo.
Washington led the nation in receptions last year despite a revolving door of quarterbacks in West Virginia. The sneaky-fast slot wide receiver amassed a nation-best 110 receptions for 1,426 yards and nine touchdowns. Before that, he spent four seasons with Northwestern, combining for 120 receptions, 1,348 yards, and three touchdowns.
Yes, you read that right.
Washington hit another gear in his fifth collegiate season, which caught the eye of many draft scouts and analysts who believe the Dolphins got a steal in the sixth round and the perfect fit for Mike McDanielâs offense.
Earlier in the offseason, Washington discussed how heâll fit in Miamiâs offense and the possible plan.
âI think the way that they run their offense, the motions, the different ways they use people to get open and allow them to be themselves, allow them to work, I think that is very beneficial to me. Just getting a chance to find some underneath routes, find some ways to get open and let that YAC â a big piece of my game â and let that shine through.â
He continued:
âIâm sure Iâll get with the coaches and weâll talk more about specific roles and stuff like that, but Iâm joining the best receiver room in the NFL. Iâm joining Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle â guys that have proven themselves, guys that have just done a great job at being receivers, done a great job at being a great ballcarriers and great people as well. If youâve ever seen them, I think what I have to do is come in, learn from those guys, take it all in, and earn my way, earn my keep.â
Thankfully for Washington, he does not need to make an immediate impact in McDanielâs offense right out of the gate. He has time to learn and develop behind some of the veterans while slowly becoming Miamiâs slot receiver of the future.
That said, plenty of guys are chomping at the bit to land on the 53-man roster â or even one of the highly-coveted practice squad spots â so the most significant thing for him to do is make the 53-man roster, something he knows wonât come easy.
âIn my mind, everybody here is a great player â the best of the best. So I just have to be better than the best of the best by just doing my job and doing my best. I think everybody here has earned the right to be here, so weâll see whoâs still here at the end.â
What are your thoughts on Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Malik Washington? Do you like his newest tattoo? How do you feel about him being the Dolphins slot wide receiver of the future? Let us know in the comments section below!