The Los Angeles Rams have wrapped one season-long grind, but another one is just getting underway. Between now and the end of April, the Rams will need to have the majority of their roster figured out.
That means handling those who will be sticking around as well as departures. Then, they’ll need to fill holes in free agency and then deal with whichever holes they decide to leave for the NFL Draft. However, all of these tasks face the Rams at the same time. They also face the rest of the 32 teams at the same time. As such, teams can get focused on the same players at the same time.
Los Angeles Rams Met With UCLA Bruins TE, Per Senior Bowl Interview

In the case of UCLA Bruins tight end Moliki Matavao, both the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams have reached out to the tight end multiple times. Had both sides only reached out once, both might have moved on to other prospects. However, according to Matavao, both returned to get a second look at him. Matavao talked about this and more with LAFB for a lengthy exclusive chat at the Senior Bowl this week.
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LAFB: Have the Los Angeles Rams or the Los Angeles Chargers reached out to you?
Matavao: I had a couple of interviews with both of them.
LAFB: What NFL players do you look up to? And is there one you compare your game to?
Matavao: I’m like a Mark Andrews/George Kittle mix. 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.
LAFB: What superhero or movie or TV character do you believe most closely resembles your game and kind of your personality?
Matavao: The Hulk.
LAFB: So, and then one last question. If you were going to establish chemistry with Matthew Stafford, you walk in the first day, what is kind of your plan there?
Matavao: Be me. I’m a really laid-back kind of guy. Go out get a feel for [him]. Go workout with him, but I just be me be casual and it’ll all work out.
Matavao demonstrates an ability to improve Perhaps one of the most key selling points of any prospect is the ability to consistently improve. In the case of Moliki Matavao, this might be his biggest pitch. The UCLA tight end spent four years at UCLA, showcasing improvement in production in each of the years.
According to Sports Reference, Matavao kicked off his career with the Oregon Ducks as a freshman earning nine receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. In 2022, his second season, he logged ten catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. He then transferred south to UCLA, where he continued to improve. With the Bruins, Matavao logged 283 yards and two touchdowns in his first season with the team. Then, his big break came when he earned 41 catches for 506 yards and two touchdowns.
So, a consistent improvement with the ability to take a big leap years down the line is an enticing proposition. With both the Rams and Chargers kicking the tires multiple times, considered both teams enticed.