The Los Angeles Rams were aggressive in their search for tight end help last offseason, first signing Colby Parkinson in free agency and then trying to trade up for Brock Bowers in the draft. They ultimately failed to land Bowers, which allowed Jared Verse to fall into their lap, but they could be in the market for a tight end again this draft season.
They’ve already shown interest in one prospect who plays close to home. In talking to Ryan Anderson of LAFB at the Senior Bowl this week, UCLA tight end Moliki Matavao said he’s had multiple interviews with both the Rams and the Chargers already.
Matavao played two seasons at Oregon before transferring to UCLA for his final two years of college, catching a total of 74 passes for 998 yards and six touchdowns across those four seasons. He’s viewed as a Day 3 prospect but with his size (6-foot-6, 263 pounds), he has the frame of a modern-day NFL tight end.
When asked who his game compares to, Matavao brought up the names Mark Andrews and George Kittle, saying he’s a blend of the two.
“I’m like a Mark Andrews-George Kittle mix,” he said. “Mark Andrews in the passing game is awesome. You know, how he runs his routes? Similar in stature to me. And then also George Kittle and how he’s vicious in the run game and, when he gets the ball in his hands, he’s a violent runner.”
Even with Tyler Higbee, Parkinson and Davis Allen all under contract in 2025, the Rams are likely to add a tight end at some point this offseason and Matavao could be someone to target on Day 3.
