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Saints land big TE, powerful edge rusher to close out deep 2025 NFL draft class

By Jeff NowakApr 27, 2025

Jeff Nowak

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The New Orleans Saints went into the 2025 NFL draft with 9 selections and they made every last one of them, including a pair of intriguing selections at the tail end.

With the draft drawing to a close the Saints pulled in big-bodied UCLA tight end Moliki Matavao at No. 248, then turned around quickly to bring in Syracuse edge rusher Fadil Diggs at 254.

Hear an exclusive interview with Matavao in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.

Those final two selections closed the book on the largest draft class since 2015. Here's how it broke down overall:
- 9: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
- 40: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
- 71: Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas
- 93: Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia
- 112: Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
- 131: Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
- 184: Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
- 248: Moliki Matavao, TE, UCLA
- 254: Fadil Diggs, Edge, Syracuse

Each of the nine Saints picks came at different positions, a strong signal that they are working to rebuild the roster to suit Kellen Moore's offense and Brandon Staley's defense. In Matavao, 22, the Saints add a 6-6, 250-pound tight end who profiles as a powerful blocker with some pass-catching upside.

Matavao, a native of Negada, also represents one of five players in this year's class that participated in the Senior Bowl. When I asked him what he wanted to work on most that week, this is what he said.

"I think to harp on the run game," he said. "Everyone loves catching the ball, running and making plays, but in the NFL you’ve got to stick your hand down in the dirt and go block a nasty edge. So that’s what I think I want to harp on and get better in this offseason to prepare for the draft.”

And that's where I see him contributing most, though he can still contribute in the passing game down the line. He started his career at Oregon before transferring to UCLA and enjoyed a breakout of sorts in his senior season, catching 41 passes for 506 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Diggs is a native of New Jersey and spent the first four seasons of his collegiate career at Texas A&M, where he 42 games and was named a team captain in 2023, rolling up 36 tackles, 11 TFLs and 4 sacks, He transferred to Syracuse for his final college season and led the team with 7.5 sacks to go with 45 tackles and 14 TFLs. The 6-4, 260-pound Diggs should find a home in Staley's 3-4 scheme that needed some true outside linebackers to make the transition.

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