Countdown to Kickoff: Moliki Matavao is the Saints Player of Day 80

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Countdown to Kickoff: Moliki Matavao is the Saints Player of Day 80

18 Saints players on the roster bubble going into 2026 training camp — METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - MAY 28: Moliki Matavao #80 of the New Orleans Saints attends the OTA Offseason Workout at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on May 28, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

Bob Rose , Saints Wire · Saints Wire

Thu, Jun 25, 2026 ·

2 min read

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Our countdown to the 2026 regular season opener for the New Orleans Saints is down to 80 days. The Saints will travel north to begin their year, facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. Tight end Moliki Matavao is wearing No. 80 for New Orleans as the team nears training camp at the end of July.

Matavao hopes to play a second year with the Saints. However, his work will be cut out for him at a position that saw a couple major additions this offseason. For now, here's a look through his career as our Saints Player of the Day.

Name (age): Moliki Matavao (23)
Hometown: Henderson, Nev.
Position: Tight end
College: UCLA Bruins
Relative Athletic Score: 6.59
Drafted: Round 7, 248 overall in 2025 (Saints)
NFL experience: 1 year
2026 salary cap hit: $1.01 million

A graduate of Liberty High School in Nevada, Matavao began his collegiate career as a four-star recruit at the University of Oregon. Over two seasons with the Ducks, Matavao caught passes 19 passes for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns. After the 2022 campaign, Matavao would transfer to UCLA. In his first season with the Bruins, Matavao put up similar numbers with 14 receptions and 2 scores, but an explosive 283 yards and over 20 yards per catch. Last season was Matavao's most productive, pulling in 41 passes for 506 yards to lead the Bruins in both categories.

New Orleans selected Matavao with their first of two choices in Round 7 of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was the first tight end drafted by the Saints since Adam Trautman in 2020 and only the third tight end drafted by New Orleans at that time since 2010. Since 2003, the Saints have only drafted Jimmy Graham , Alize Mack , Trautman, Matavao, and this year's third round selection of Oscar Delp at the position.

As a rookie, Matavao played very sparingly. He appeared in only six games, playing 83 offensive snaps and 36 more on special teams. Matavao had only 2 catches for 10 yards, but surprised observers with his blocking skills. It will take those blocking abilities and rapid development as a pass catcher to make the 2026 Saints. New Orleans added not only Delp to team with starter Juwan Johnson , but also brought in productive free agent Noah Fant . Matavao will need to hold off challenges from others just to be the fourth tight end, which would likely mean a practice squad spot or job at the back end of the roster.