How Odell Beckham Jr Fits in with the Miami Dolphins

Malik’s collegiate career started off a bit slow during his first four years at Northwestern, but he knew that he had more left in the tank. After talking with Coach Elliott at Virginia and being told Coach Elliott’s plan of running the Virginia offense through him in 2023, Malik made the decision to enter the transfer portal and go to Virginia.

Malik was interviewed before the draft by NFL legend Steve Smith Sr., where he said some very encouraging things. When asked about facing man coverage, Malik said “A guy isn’t going to line up across from me and feel confident, and feel excited. I’m not gonna let that happen. I think about it every Saturday, I’m going out there to embarrass somebody. I’m trying to make someone question if they should even be playing this game, I’m trying to keep defensive coordinators stay up a little bit later at night.”

Malik finished the 2023 NCAA Season in the Top 3 in almost every measurable metric when facing man coverage.

So, what can you expect from Malik Washington? He lacks the top-end speed that most of the other Dolphins playmakers possess, but he brings an aspect of physicality and quickness to the offense that should be very interesting to watch. He has elite quickness, excellent short to medium route running, exceptional range for a player his height, and an uncanny ability to make the first tackler miss.

In the open field, Washington is a problem for defenses. He has the running style of a running back. He is shifty and elusive but also not afraid to lower his shoulder and fight through tacklers. In other words, Malik Washington is a dog.

When Chris Grier and Coach McDaniel made the phone call to tell Malik he had been drafted, they dropped a few very interesting nuggets of information. Grier said, “He (McDaniel) zeroed in on you, he’s been bugging me to draft you for the last couple of rounds.”  McDaniel now on the phone to Malik, “That’s an understatement, I’ve been seriously annoying him to draft you… Your rookie year can be very productive if you are a pro. Which I know you can be immediately because you’re going to have the opportunity.”

Malik Washington also graduated with two degrees: a Psychology degree with a certificate in Organizational Leadership from Northwestern as well as a master’s Degree in Higher Education.