Jun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Moliki Matavao (80) during receiver drills during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
It would be easy to dive into only the positives and potential of New Orleans Saints seventh-round pick and tight end Moliki Matavao’s game. It would be easy to write out all the reasons that he could impress, steal a roster spot and be a hidden gem of this year’s very important draft class.
But the truth isn’t always so easy. Matavao may have the hardest path to the roster of any drafted Saints rookie. In fact, his path may be more challenging than some of the undrafted free agents.
Even though his path is tough, it’s not impossible. Just because he doesn’t have it easy, doesn’t mean he can’t do it. But the chips are certainly stacked against him.
The Tough Road Ahead
Matavao is entering a very crowded room that already has four potential 53-man roster spots filled depending on health at the position.
Tight ends Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill and Jack Stoll are all likely to snag a roster spot. The biggest questions there will just be whether or not Moreau and Hill, mostly Hill, will be ready for the top of the 2025 season.
If both end up starting on an injury list, then things get a little more attainable for the UCLA seventh-rounder.
In that case, Matavao would be battling for one of potentially two spots with returning tight ends Dallin Holker, Michael Jacobson. And Treyton Welch while Seth Green joins the fold as another new face.
While that would make the numbers a bit more favorable, having that many returning players battling for a roster spot is not an easy situation to combat against. But with Matavao’s size (6-foot-6 and 263 pounds) along with his true-Y, in-line skill at the position, he could separate himself from the pack if he can continue his collegiate trajectory as a pass-catcher as well.
What Matavao Does Well
Matavao’s size and physical nature make him an asset in the blocking game, a role that he started playing early during his time at Oregon. As he grew (both mentally and physically) it became undeniable that he is an outstanding in-line option at the position.
Moliki Matavao Sled Work #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/SfY9BsRhVg
— WalkTheMock (@WalkTheMock) March 1, 2025
However, once he transferred to UCLA in 2023, that’s when the next element of his game began to settle in. He exploded on the scene as a pass-catcher, particularly in 2024.
His basketball background became quickly evident as he was given more opportunities to go and battle for catches as a receiver. Both because he can leap well despite his 263-pound frame but also his hand-eye coordination paid dividends.
As a receiver, Matavao could be quickly reliable in the red zone as a specialized threat in the area, a la former Saints tight end Jimmy Graham during his second stint with the team.
We really want to hit the tight end Over route for big gains with Y-Cross. UCLA notched a touchdown to Moliki Matavao with Y-Cross. The Matavao Over route stayed vertical against two highsafeties with the MOFO. End zone view shows deliberate progression by Garbers. pic.twitter.com/FwSoMKuNNm
— chris osgood (@osgoodck) November 3, 2023
He improved every year as a pass-catcher, reeling in 75 receiving yards during his freshman season, then 134 and 283 the two years after that. He then led UCLA in receiving yards with 506 last year while bringing in six touchdown catches in the process.
He is also a durable player, which in the long run may be one of the traits that benefits him most as he develops, having missed just one game due to injury throughout his collegiate career.
A Promising Developmental Player
Even if Matavao doesn’t sneak on to the roster in 2025 right away, he’ll be one to keep an eye on as a shoo-in for the practice squad. Because of his bulk, physicality at the catch point, promising blocking ability and availability, a little bit of time on the practice squad until he gets his number called would be an excellent way to ensure his career trajectory is on the upward path.
The rookie tight end may not see action immediately, as his path has many obstacles, but if he focuses on his development and stays healthy – both things for which he has shown a natural aptness – his road to a roster spot could come with time.
The raw materials on UCLA’s Moliki Matavao are terrific, He has size (6’6, 260) and length, smoothness and burst as a route runner, and natural hands.
As a blocker, hand placement needs work. His wide strike often gets him outside the arms. With his frame, getting him there is… pic.twitter.com/vk3FQfKIr8
— Remember The Tight Ends (@RememberTheTE) January 25, 2025
