The New Orleans Saints had very little to celebrate in their second preseason game of the 2026 season, suffering a 34-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Still, even in a game where the offense struggled to find any rhythm, one player made the most of his limited opportunity.
This week’s breakout player capitalized on his opportunity amid an uphill climb in a crowded position group: TE Moliki Matavao.
The second-year tight end out of UCLA entered this past matchup with plenty to prove, and he delivered
almost immediately. Matavao finished with three receptions for 34 yards, including first down conversions and a contested catch.
What makes his performance even more impressive is how little time he actually spent on the field. The 23-year-old played just eight total snaps, yet he finished with a team-high 93.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, along with a 93.1 receiving grade.
For a player competing for a roster spot in a tight end room featuring Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant and Oscar Delp, this was exactly the kind of performance Matavao needed. The Saints have plenty of experience and talent ahead of him, making opportunities difficult to come by.
Unfortunately, the biggest concern coming out of the performance is Matavao’s health. He exited the game with a knee injury after making his impact felt, putting a halt to what otherwise would have been an encouraging night.
The Saints will now have to wait and see whether the injury is significant. That is the most important development surrounding Matavao heading into the final preseason game. His performance against the Rams showed that he can contribute, but he needs the opportunity to continue building on it.
In a preseason game filled with negatives, Matavao provided one of the few reasons for optimism. If the injury is minor, he could have another chance to make his case before roster decisions are made.
