Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers from 2017-2022 under Kyle Shanahan. During his tenure, he got to spend four years with do-it-all wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who had 1,405 yards receiving in 2021 and led the NFL averaging 18.2 yards per catch.
And, second-year Dolphins‘ receiver Malik Washington reminds McDaniel of his Niners’ days and he actually refers to the 24-year old as the next Samuel.
“Yeah,” Washington said. “He actually calls me ‘Maleebo’ every now and then. I don’t like it.”
McDaniel must be referring to Washington’s versatility and explosion because he’s 5’8″, 195 lbs., while Deebo – now with the Washington Commanders – is 6′, 215 lbs. Physically, they are two completely different people.
“I’ve watched some of Deebo Samuel’s tape and I mean, he’s probably one of the best at just going into the backfield and making plays happen,” Washington said. “So he’s been a huge guy I’ve looked up to and as far as what he does in the run game, how versatile he is.”
Malik Washington not modeling his game after Deebo
While it’s surely nice to have someone to look up to and admire, Washington says he’s not patterning his game after the guy who was first-team All-Pro back in 2021.
“I kind of want to just not necessarily follow in those footsteps, but kind of create my own game in that sense and be as versatile,” Washington said.
So far in 2025, Washington has the perfect run-pass balance. He’s caught six passes for 34 yards and no touchdowns, while also rushing six times for 52 yards and the same amount of touchdowns.
If McDaniel is looking for his next Deebo, he might have to dig a little deeper or start designing more plays to get Washington involved.
Malik Washington is mentoring rookies in his second year
For a young second-year player, Washington is actually taking on a leadership role with the Dolphins. At least, he’s helping those younger than him like rookie running back Ollie Gordon.
“I’m in my second year, so I’m not too far removed at all,” Washington said. “Rookie year, I was more worried about, man, ‘How do I just make sure my assignment is correct? How do I just stay out of trouble and don’t get yelled at come Monday in the film room?’”
Now, Washington is more focused on looking for the positives than trying not to make mistakes.
“Now Year 2, I’m thinking, ‘How do I make this play? How do I come out there and really be just a huge help to this team? How do I catch this pass and score a touchdown? How do I take this run to the house and stuff?,’” Washington said.
Right now, Washington is way more focused on playing the New York Jets on Monday Night Football than he is on trying to be Deebo 2.0. It sounds like he’s still trying to get his head on straight so he can carve out his own niche in the NFL.
“Each game, we expect to blow the team that we’re playing out,” he said. “So it’s not like, ‘Man, I just hope we escape with a win’ or ‘I hope we just get by.’”
At 0-3, Washington should be plenty focused on the team just getting by.
Miami Dolphins Might Have Deebo 2.0