From now till the 2025 NFL Draft, we’ll scout and create profiles for as many prospects as attainable, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and what they will carry to an NFL franchise. These gamers might be potential top-10 picks, right down to Day 3 picks, and precedence undrafted free brokers. As we speak, a scouting report on UCLA tight finish Moliki Matavao.
No. 88 MOLIKI MATAVAO/TE UCLA – 6052, 265 POUNDS
Measurements
| Participant | Ht/Wt | Hand Measurement | Arm Size | Wingspan |
| Moliki Matavao | 6052/265 | 9 1/2 | 33 | 74 3/4 |
| 40-Yard Sprint | 10-Yard Sprint | Quick Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| 4.81 | 1.60 | N/A | N/A | |
| Broad Bounce | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| 9’6″ | 32.5 | N/A |
*40-yard, 10-yard, broad soar and vertical from NFL Mix, all different measurements from Senior Bowl
THE GOOD
– Effectively constructed, good dimension for place
– Fast off LOS, will get into route in fast method
– Strikes easily for his huge body
– Catches ball over center of the sector with out worry
– Transitions from catching the ball to operating in easy vogue
– Nice really feel for zone coverages, persistently finds the suitable spot to sit down in his route
– Exhibits means to seal off defenders whereas blocking
– Stable pace makes him a deep menace
– Acknowledges when QB is scrambling, works to get open
– Persistently catches in visitors
– Some positional versatility, lined up at WR at instances with UCLA
THE BAD
– Can lose pace when monitoring ball
– Isn’t in a position to regulate properly to poorly thrown passes
– Not going to make many defenders miss with the ball in his fingers
– Lacks energy as a blocker
– Catches blocks too usually, permitting defenders to come back to him
– Will often flat-out miss defenders when making an attempt to dam
– Occasional focus drops
– Slows ft when coming into blocks
BIO
– Birthday: March 23, 2003, 22-years outdated
– Hometown: Henderson, NV
– Attended Liberty Excessive College in Oregon
– Majored in Sociology
– 4-star recruit out of highschool, ranked fourth-best TE in 2020 class by ESPN
– Dedicated to Oregon forward of 2021 season
– Noticed the sector in 14 video games in 2021, had 9 receptions and one landing
– Began six of 12 video games in 2022, had 10 receptions for 134 yards and one landing
– Transferred to UCLA earlier than 2023 season
– Had 14 receptions for 283 yards and two scores in 2023
– Posted finest collegiate season in 2024, had 41 receptions for 506 yards, two touchdowns
– Performed 50 video games by means of collegiate profession, beginning 22 of them
– Named All Pac-12 Honoree (Honorable Point out) in 2023
– Enjoys searching as a passion, named Jason Witten as an athlete he admires
TAPE BREAKDOWN
Regardless of being his huge dimension for the place, Moliki Matavao strikes extraordinarily easily. He additionally possesses good consciousness for the place. He understands defenses properly, particularly towards zone protection.
Right here, Matavao is lined up as a receiver on the top-end of the display. He will get off the ball rapidly, and is operating a curl route. Then, he instantly finds a gap within the zone, sits down, and catches the ball, selecting up a sizeable chunk of yards within the course of.
Right here, Matavao is on the wing, simply off the road of scrimmage subsequent to the suitable sort out. He’s once more operating a curl route, one thing UCLA had him doing usually. Realizing the linebacker who’s speculated to be in his zone continues to be in the course of the sector, Matavao well cuts his route quick, and sits within the good spot. He catches the ball and fights for some additional yardage.
His excessive soccer IQ doesn’t solely shine by means of in these cases, although. Matavao does a superb job protecting tabs on his quarterback, and understands the way to get open after they’re scrambling.
Right here, Matavao runs a brief hitch route over the center of the sector. His QB finally ends up scrambling to the suitable. Matavao acknowledges it, and does a superb job getting open up the sector, even gaining a step or two on his defender within the course of. Sadly, his QB doesn’t see him. If he does, Matavao may nonetheless be operating as I kind this.
Catching the ball isn’t the one factor a good finish must do. In the case of blocking, there are some ups and downs to Matavao’s sport. At instances, he reveals glorious method.
The best way this play comes collectively for UCLA is an absolute dream for any offensive coordinator. All people right here does their job, Matavao included. He does an important job working to the second degree, and well connects with the skin shoulder of the defender, sealing him off. This helps open the outlet for his operating again, who picks up a large chunk of yards.
Nevertheless, It’s not all sunshine and butterflies in terms of blocking for Matavao.
Typically Matavao merely misses blocks, or doesn’t even see them. Right here, Matavao’s outdoors of the left sort out. The sting rusher in entrance of him shifts to his outdoors simply earlier than the play begins. Sadly, Matavao doesn’t acknowledge it, and makes an attempt to dam the linebacker on the second degree as an alternative. That rusher finally ends up getting a free shot at his quarterback. Issues like this simply can’t occur within the NFL for Matavao.
I would like you to have a look at No. 11 for Penn State’s pre-snap motion, and Matavao’s head earlier than the snap right here. Once more, simply earlier than the snap, the sting rusher shifts to Matavao’s outdoors. Matavao by no means lifts his head up. Consequently, he doesn’t see it. He tries to get to the second degree once more right here, utterly disregarding the defender to his outdoors, who flies into the backfield to close the play down.
CONCLUSION
Moliki Matavao brings so much to the receiving sport. He’s fast off the road of scrimmage and runs stable routes. As well as, he understands zone coverages properly, persistently discovering the suitable spot to finish his route. He additionally does a superb job of working again to the quarterback after they’re scrambling. Nevertheless, his blocking means leaves a lot to be desired. He must be extra constant in recognizing defenders, and have extra energy as a blocker. Nonetheless, his receiving means ought to give him a job within the NFL.
Matavao jogs my memory of Mark Andrews. Popping out of school, Andrews was equally fast off the road of scrimmage, and excelled towards zone protection. He moved properly for his dimension, and his pace allowed him to be a downfield menace. Andrews had related blocking considerations as properly. I don’t suppose Matavao’s ceiling is sort of as excessive, but when his blocking improves, and he’s in the suitable scenario, I feel he may be fairly productive on the NFL degree.
Projection: Mid-Day 3
Depot Draft Grade: Fifth Spherical (Backup/Particular Teamer)
Video games Watched: Penn State (2024), Rutgers (2024), USC (2024)
