Malik Washington

71.3% career catch rate on 101 targets — Washington turns slot screens into near-automatic yardage.

Over two seasons as Miami's primary slot/gadget WR, Washington has turned 101 targets into 72 receptions (71.3% catch rate). That accuracy isn't just volume — it held in Year 2 when his target load nearly doubled (36 → 65). The 2025 leap added 3 receiving TDs and 17 carries for 110 rushing yards alongside that consistent receiving efficiency.

Why it matters. In McDaniel's short-area passing game, a slot target that converts at 71%+ is a reliable extension of the run game — defenses can't cheat off him without giving up easy completions. Washington's consistency separates him from most Day 3 gadget receivers.

6.14 YPC on 22 career carries — Miami uses him as a jet-sweep weapon, not a runner.

The 5-foot-8, 194-pound slot has 22 career carries for 135 yards (6.14 YPC) and 2 rushing TDs — a near-perfect designed-run portfolio. His 2025 rushing efficiency actually improved to 17 carries for 110 yards (6.47 YPC) as his workload expanded. McDaniel pulls the jet-sweep handoff just often enough to keep defenses honest; nearly every Washington carry has an angle baked in.

Why it matters. A 6.14 career YPC for a WR on designed runs signals McDaniel is targeting schemed blocking angles, not random end-arounds — the efficiency has been durable across two different volume levels, making Washington a credible threat on every outside handoff.

Played all 17 games in 2025 and logged a carry in 13 of them — every week a dual-threat gadget threat.

Washington appeared in all 17 regular-season games in 2025, stepping up from the 13 games he logged as a rookie. More telling than availability: Miami dialed up 17 carries alongside 65 targets — he finished with 94 career touches (72 receptions + 22 carries) and 5 total TDs across 30 games.

For a sub-200-pound slot/returner running into traffic, durability while maintaining a dual-threat role is the differentiator.

Why it matters. In a gadget role, full availability matters doubly — Washington's 17 games meant McDaniel had his jet-sweep weapon every week, which magnifies the schemed-touch efficiency across the full season rather than in isolated stretches.

First career receiving TD came in 2025 Week 8 vs Atlanta — he added 2 more in a 10-week span to finish 3 TDs.

His rookie season ended with zero receiving TDs across 13 games. The 2025 unlock came in Week 8 at Atlanta (4-36-1), then two more arrived in a 10-week window — including a short TD at New England in the season finale. All three were low-yardage, high-value scores; his top yardage game remains the 52-yard rookie outing at Houston (2024 W15). He also logged 10 games with 3+ receptions in 2025.

Why it matters. Three short TDs on modest yardage lines is the McDaniel gadget-slot signature — Washington is converting high-percentage targets near the goal line, not running deep routes, which means his TD production is scheme-sustainable as long as he stays healthy.

At 5-8/194, he fits the Tyreek-McDaniel slot mold — 94 career touches on 22 designed runs at 6.14 YPC.

Washington (Virginia, 6th-round 2024) was drafted explicitly to inherit slot/return reps as the Tyreek-Waddle WR room aged. His 2025 line — 46/317/3 receiving + 17/110/1 rushing — won't win fantasy weeks, but 94 career touches (72 receptions + 22 carries) and 5 total TDs represent the highest-leverage Day 3 gadget role Miami has deployed.

The 6.14 career rushing YPC on 22 designed carries is what separates him from a generic possession slot — McDaniel's misdirection scheme turns those handoffs into per-touch threats that demand defensive attention.

Why it matters. McDaniel's gadget WR role requires a player willing to take hits in the run game AND function as a reliable slot receiver — Washington's 71.3% career catch rate paired with 6.14 rushing YPC is a rare combination for a Day 3 pick, validating the scheme fit.