After missing rookie season, Dolphins WR Tahj Washington tries to make his case
Tahj Washington began last summer intent on proving that he belonged, that his NFL future would exceed expectations for the typical seventh-rounder.
He never even made it to training camp.
A lower-leg injury, sustained during a July workout, ended his rookie season before it even began.
And now he finds himself competing with Dee Eskridge, Erik Ezukanma, four skilled undrafted rookies and Tarik Black for a roster spot behind Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Malik Washington.
Ask Washington if he knows yet if he’s an NFL receiver, and there is no hesitation.
“For sure; without a doubt,” he said, noting that he’s “explosive after the catch” and puts “it on the line after every play.”
He certainly looked like an NFL receiver Tuesday, when he turned on the proverbial afterburners to catch a beautiful 50-yard pass from Zach Wilson.
Seventeen months ago, he was the 34th of 35 receivers drafted, even though his skill set and production in his final year at Southern California would have justified something more.
His average yards per catch (18.0) led the Pacific-12 in 2023, and he finished the year with 59 catches for 1,062 yards and eight touchdowns. His 8.6 yards after catch were 18th in the country.
He was among the best in the nation on passes that traveled at least 20 air yards, catching 13 of 15 such throws for 596 yards and six touchdowns. Those 13 deep catches tied for 15th most among FBS receivers.
His 596 deep yards on such throws were sixth in the country — a credit to both Washington and Chicago Bears and former USC quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, who threw those passes. In the eyes of NFL.com evaluator Lance Zierlein, what stands out about Washington is “his competitiveness and consistency.”
Washington caught 43 passes for 743 yards (17.3 per catch) and six touchdowns for Memphis in 2020, then caught 54, 50 and 59 passes in three years at Southern California.
But his NFL dreams were put on hold by the leg injury on an otherwise nondescript day while working out at Hard Rock Stadium.
“It was difficult,” he said. “I’m human.”
But he viewed it “as an opportunity to remind who’s in control. I’m a firm believer in Jesus Christ. I took it as a journey and grew as a person. I wasn’t low because of my support system.”
Washington and his wife also were buoyed emotionally by the birth of son Tajh Jr. on Aug. 6, weeks after his injury.
“God knew what I needed,” he said. “Definitely him being in my life for sure” made the rehabilitation easier.
He said he attended some Dolphins receiver meetings last season but “I pretty much gave my full attention to the training staff.”
How much could he absorb on offense last year? “Pretty much [of it]. We had I-pads. If I had questions, texting someone who would help me.”
Zierlein said Washington, who’s 5-10, can play only in the slot, but Washington says he’s capable of playing inside and out.
At my time in Memphis, I played a lot on the boundary,” he said. “Played a lot in the slot at Southern Cal. Wherever I’m at I’m going to compete.”
Team rules prohibit reporting where the Dolphins are using him, but he has made several catches in the middle of the field during camp.
“I’m healthy, feel comfortable and confident,” he said.
He said playing football in a Texas field, growing up, taught him how to be elusive. “I was the youngest of a lot of cousins, so if you get hit, we’re rough,” he said. “I was always the youngest and had to run away from a lot of folks.”
This story was originally published July 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM.
