Who Should I Start? Malik Washington or Arian Smith

Thursday, June 18, 5:50 AM

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington averaged only 18.6 receiving yards per game in 2025, but playing in all 17 games, his 317 yards were the most of any receiver currently on the roster. Miami has moved on from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and the team spent five of its 13 draft picks on either receiver or tight end. With the competition for targets wide open heading into 2026, Washington has a strong chance to serve as the team's WR1 in a new-look offense that will undoubtedly still run through running back De'Von Achane and potentially tight end Greg Dulcich. 2025 starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ranked 30th in the league with 6.9 yards per attempt, contributing to Washington's low yardage total despite a respectable 62 targets, whereas new starter Malik Willis has proven to be much more aggressive, leading the league with 12.1 yards per attempt across his four 2025 appearances. With a spot near the top of the depth chart and a downfield passing attack that could take advantage of some of the abilities that allowed him to rack up more than 1,300 yards in his final collegiate season, Washington has a chance to carve out something close to an every-week role for fantasy and could prove to be a steal as a player going in the late double-digit rounds of startup drafts.