Moliki Matavao
TE, UCLA · 2025 NFL Draft, Round 7, pick #248 (NOR)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: position, availability. Details below.
The 2025 class is only 1 season in, so this verdict can still change a lot.
- Position
TE (TE group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 37.1% of the time (321 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 6 of ~17 possible regular-season games from 2025 through 2025 (~35%).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #167 overall (#12 at his position), but he lasted until pick #248: teams let him slide 81 spots past that ranking.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (654 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
22 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.1% of the time (2,011 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
UCLA: a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.3% of the time (4,181 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.81 40-yard dash at 260 lbs: faster than 23% of TEs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.2% of the time (1,232 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
Every line comes from data: nflverse draft, combine and career data; ESPN's pre-draft ranks. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a bust for him.
Career numberslive
| Games | 6 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 0 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 0 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 0.0 |
| Receiving | 2 rec, 10 yds, undefined TD |
| Last NFL season | 2025 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2025 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2025 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Position TE | 37.1% n=321 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Slid 32+ picks past ESPN's rank | 53.2% n=654 | |
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 6", 260 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.81 s |
| Vertical | 32.5" |
| Broad jump | 114" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #167 overall (#12 TE) |
Picked around him 2025 redraft
| 245 | Jacory Croskey-Merritt | redraft #38 |
| 246 | Korie Black | redraft #183 |
| 247 | Tommy Akingbesote | redraft #255 |
| 249 | Connor Colby | redraft #47 |
| 250 | John Williams | redraft #203 |
| 251 | Julian Ashby | redraft #174 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.