Chicago Bears 2023 Free Agency Roundtable: Signing we expect. Punter Bryan Anger famously went five picks before Russell Wilson in 2012 with the 70th overall pick. One of the most dangerous weapons in college football is San Diego State punter Matt Araiza. Also, a higher average yards per punt does not always mean better sometimes you want to directionally punt, so this can be misleading. That group includes not only several picks taken inside the top 100 overall players, but also four players taken in the second round and another two taken in the first round. Now, he is one of the rarest prospects in football: a punter with buzz. Both Stout and Camarda carry draftable grades from NFL scouts. Araiza has a cannon for a leg, shown with his. Araiza must ensure that his strides and ball striking remain consistent from kick to kick. Meanwhile, he averaged 41.7 yards on 120 punts that tallied over 5,000 yards. He only makes two steps upon catching the ball, as opposed to a running start that some college punters use. The 2022 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, with the first round kicking off on Thursday, April 28th. As a matter of fact, he already seems to be fully embracing his new team. But I can tell you, we just tried to do what was right, Beane said. Even then, the potential power lingering in his left leg remained lowkey. Reportedly other teams did. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 5th Year Option Projections; Free Agency. # . More important than the distance is Araizas unusual control of the ball, allowing him to pin opposing offenses deep in their own half rather than just booming the ball out the back of the endzone. https://t.co/mIr2tYt8LT. Versatility is next to ability or something of that nature. I was 17 years old and I had no idea who Matt Araiza was," she said. That said, it wouldnt be surprising at all if somebody took him as early as Round 3. Hi coach, Ojabo said. That might scare some people given the hype and eventual failures of Roberto Aguayo, but some team will still take a shot on him earlier than the average punter. For more 2022 NFL Draft coverage and player profiles, check out our NFL Draft page. Stout was one of the top punters in this year's class and it wasn't a total shocker to see him become the first punter taken. There have been multiple third-round selections, while FSU punter John Stark was a second-round choice in 1982. Did I mention that Araiza has a powerful leg? August 28, 2022 2:44pm. No punter has been selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft since 1995. Youll see here part of what makes Araiza so special. Hang time and accuracy are just as important in the NFL. He isnt a novelty: hes an assured pass protector who has the huge frame that could make him special. He created a draft buzz. Think thats an exaggeration? He followed that up with a Thanos-like performance at the scouting combine: the 341 lb Davis ran the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds, the fastest for any player over 330 lb at the combine since 2006; Davis later had a standing broad jump of 10ft 3in, the record for a player over 300 pounds; he tacked on a 34in vertical leap for good measure, a doubletake-worthy figure for someone of his size. Just the 270th-ranked player in California and 2,609th nationally, Araiza held only three offers, with San Diego State winning out over UMass and FCS-level Montana. The fact that Araiza can punt, take field goals, and act as the kickoff man for a team is a crucial element of his scouting report. He was a sixth-round pick of the team at the 2022 NFL draft. While Araiza had decent success in landing punts inside the 20 this season, he needs to demonstrate consistency in this regard. He has the power to flip the field with one kick. Stop by our 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel for Bear Bones LIVE at FIVE as we get in on some mock draft fun! Odds & lines subject to change. During his first two seasons with the Aztecs, he hit long field goals of 48 yards (Wyoming 19, Colorado 20). He is a threat to cover his own punts and kicks. His, was better than many who are projected to be high draft selections, including. Following a flourish of free agency action, theres a clearer picture of NFL team needs. Khalil Shakir is going down the well of a former Buffalo Bills great to hopefully improve in Year 2: Eric Moulds. 1 CB, Paul Burmeister: Why Derek Carr Might Not Be QB to Win You a Championship, Tracker: Patriots Release QB Hoyer. Hawaii had two returners lined up with one much farther back than the traditional return distance and the punt still went over both of their heads. No other player this season has two 80+ yard punts. Safely draftable and carrying middle-round grades in the league.. Corey Bojorquez has also shown inconsistency. 17 for the first round of the draft. The temptation to declare it the greatest punting class of all time is understandable. Even these statistical accomplishments usually wouldnt attract the adoration that Araiza has received in this NFL Draft process. Davis was the force behind college footballs most dominant defense last season, fueling a Georgia group that carried their team to the national championship. Could Matt Araiza be the next one? They also dont currently have a fourth-round pick, barring some wheeling and dealing on Draft Day. . This is the most yards per punt a player has ever averaged in a single NCAA season, illustrating his sheer dominance. Gambling problem? That says two things in particular: one, that I am a sad enough person to have scouted dozens of punters, and two, that Araiza is a special talent at his position. Through the first 180 picks, there were more punters selected (3) than were taken in the entire 2021 draft combined (The Steelers selection of Pressley Harvin was the only punter pick last year). It is officially mock draft season! Meet Matt Araiza, San Diego State punter who could be among the highest-drafted punters of all time, NFL Draft prospects 2022: Updated big board of top 150 players, rankings by position. Ive never seen a team do thisTheres a returner at the 30 (50 yards deep from the LOS)Then there's a DEEPER returner at the 10 (SEVENTY YARDS AWAY)AND IT WENT OVER BOTH THEIR HEADS https://t.co/m7Hlsa2tLa. Such a talented punter can serve as a valuable asset for a defense, as burying the opposing offense deep into their own territory makes their lives a lot easier. Jordan Davis combines size and athleticism. Former Eagles President and Browns CEO Joe Banner gave his take on how he would approach this unique prospect. This unit was added to a lot this offseason. He showcases very good touch and a repeatable delivery. Thanks for contacting us. No punter has been selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft since 1995. So why not invest a valuable resource in a player who can boom the ball farther, higher, and with more accuracy than anyone else at his position? Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. I hope he is back in the NFL soon., Asked about the decision not to contact Gilleon, Bills GM Brandon Beane said in a press conference that Kathryn DAngelo, the teams attorney, heard what he had to say and thats when we began our process., Were not perfect. The Bills, though, were aware that Araiza was the subject of a police investigation when they releasedMatt Haack his competition for the starting punter job on Monday. You dont get the award that celebrates collegiate punting excellence without being exceptional. This begs the question: how well will Matt Araiza transition to the NFL? "The coach I had for my first eight years in New Orleans, if I hit a punt over 55 yards, he was mad," Morstead said. He was an unanimous All-American and the Ray Guy Award winner in 2021, making FBS history as the single-season leader with 51.19 yards . It's not clear why Araiza dropped all the way down to the sixth round, but there are plenty of theories. Araizas punting style with a nose-down punt leaves improvement for coffin corners. He had a scholarship offer before he even put a helmet on. At least three punters will be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft that is the prediction. The TCU Horned Frogs and the Georgia Bulldogs will tie a bow on the After a pair of epic College Football Playoff Semifinals on New Years Eve, the Arnold Classic 2023 Live Online: How To watch From Anywhere, Where To Watch Tim Hortons Brier 2023 Live Online, Curling Update: How To watch Tim Hortons Brier 2023 Live Here, Rough N Rowdy 20: Preview, Fight Card, Venue and Live Online, Ian Garry vs Song Kenan Prediction, UFC 285 Card, Betting Odds and Picks, Where To Watch Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury Live Free Online, South American U-20 Championship 2023 Live Online For Final day, 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Final Day Live TV Channel, Super Bowl Coin Toss Results History, Betting Odds and Props 2023, Best Super Bowl Halftime Show Prop Bets and Picks. What I was asked to do was different from a skill set (perspective) than maybe other players have. The whole nfl knew. He quantified the athletic ability displayed on punt return coverage with an excellent showing at the NFL Combine. The 21-year-old is a special teams star who won the 2021 Ray Guy Award, given to the best punter in college football. But why wasnt he on the field for Georgia on third down? a general manager told NBCs Peter King at the combine. As mentioned before, Araiza is incredibly versatile and can help the special teams unit in an impactful way. Jimmypinthe416 says: August 28, 2022 at 11:39 am Was belichik lying when he drafted Hernandez. What Would a Zero-RB Fantasy Football Draft Look Like in 2022? With Camarda now in Tampa, that likely spells the end of Bradley Pinion's three-year run with the team. From there, lift off. At the very least, remember the name Matt Araiza and the punt god designation following him. Coffin corners, hang-time, and inside the 20 are phrases being used in evaluation that barely see the light of day ordinarily. Field Pos. Faalele is from Melbourne, and an assistant coach for Hawaii on a scouting trip to Australia discovered him while he was rehabbing an injury at a local gym. Araizas game against UNLV gave the football world its first glimpse of him as a punter, nailing 4 of 5 punts over 50 yards. The NFL Draft doesn't usually give us very many surprises when it comes to punting, but it came through with two big surprises on Saturday. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. He believes it is worth taking chances on other positions earlier in the draft rather than a punter. Punters can be prolific athletes, too! Among the players expected to hear his name is punter Matt Araiza out of San Diego State. Araiza has made three 50-yard field goals so far this season, the second most in NCAA football. Chicago Bears Schedule, News, Roster and Stats | Windy City Gridiron, 2022 NFL Draft: The Matt Araiza film breakdown, 2023 NFL Combine: Winners from Day 2 of DB workouts. Where most people have legs attached to their torso, Araiza has an actual cannon. One of the most exciting prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft is San Diego State University's Matt Araiza. He is a big-armed, big-bodied quarterback who plays in the classic, dropback, Carson Palmer style. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, the highest he is projected to go is in the fifth round picks 144 through 179. He possesses all the tools to start in the NFL and will be a very early draft pick for a punter. The only question now is whether the franchise that selects him is stocked up on enough XXXXXXXXL gear. If a team is uncomfortable with your holding skills, that could absolutely lead you to dropping in the draft. With the NFL Draft fast approaching, six former San Diego State players soon may learn their football fates. When and how often will Davis play? If this was 2005, Strong would be in play to be the first name called. Brewer. Despite Araiza's incredible 2021 season, he is not expected to be among the highest-drafted punters of all time. Forces a lot of fair catches. He is exceptional on fourth down, averaging 51.2 yards per punt in his most recent season. section: | slug: 2022-nfl-draft-shocker-bills-land-punt-god-matt-araiza-who-surprisingly-gets-taken-behind-two-other-punters | sport: football | route: article_single.us | While Araiza has been electrifying college football this season, Georgia punter Jake Camarda should earn himself the nickname Mr. It is officially mock draft season! He is exceptional on fourth down, averaging 51.2 yards per punt in his most recent season. @matt_araiza. FanSided.com; . NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux will feature as top picks later this month. Many even called him the 'Punt God.' That hasn't happened for a punter since 2012, when Jacksonville selected Cal's . Not only has he shown his prowess as a punter, but Coach Maalouf adds he kicked off as well and was good at it. 154) - 1 - Cincinnati Bengals (No. For this reason, I believe its time for me to do something Ive only done once before: a special teamer breakdown. Twenty-nine percent of his punts went for touchbacks. Together, they were unblockable. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Entry: 2022 Draft, Round 6, #180 overall (Bills) Contract History. But how high, exactly, can we expect a team to take Araiza, winner of the 2021 Ray Guy Award? If Im punting five to seven times per game and the disparity in average yards is just a few, this doesnt translate to that significant of a difference overall. Pro Football Network, LLC. Kenny Pickett College Football Highlights 2021, Aaron Rodgers is Using Leverage to Help Davante Adams, DEBUT Tom Brady, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen! One of the most important punting stats is net punting average and Araiza finished the year at 44.3, which ranked sixth in the country. Araiza, who was released by the Bills on Saturday, was accused of being involved in the gang rape of a 17-year-old, with details coming to light after a lawsuit was filed in San Diego County Superior Court accusing Araiza and two of his teammates at San Diego State. The previous year, he punted five times for 249 yards, averaging 49.8 yards per punt. I would rather draft depth at other positions, such as defensive back and linebacker, where the players can develop while contributing on special teams.. In his first season, Araiza handled kicking and kickoff duties, as his punting prowess remained hidden. Consistent directional punter that can kick it out to the sidelines or place it inside the 10-yard line. After hitting an 86-yard punt against Hawaii, Araiza has become something of a social media starlet, earning the nickname Punt God.. The Bills may not have known about the allegations hanging over punter Matt Araiza when they . That is the nickname San Diego State's Matt Araiza has received from his incredible collegiate career. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Yet, in San Diego State punter Matt Araiza, the 2022 NFL Draft class might possess the most high-profile and highly skilled . Despite his relatively low recruiting profile, there was a level of expectation around the program when the versatile kicking weapon was finally handed the opportunity to play for the Aztecs in 2019. All the more impressive, the 2021 season was Araiza's first taking on full-time punting duties for the Aztecs. NFL Draft: Meet Matt Araiza, Punt God His booming kicks made fourth-and-long must-watch TV at San Diego State. 31, the Cincinnati Bengals sit in one of the most interesting spots of any team in the 2022 NFL draft. At worst, the allegation contained in a civil lawsuit filed Thursday that Araiza, a former San Diego State star . Dicker The Kicker has a 46.3-yard career punting average and 75.9% career field-goal completion. They could trade out of the first round and gain a lot by doing so as other teams look to get back into that opening round for a faller. If you were going to bet on a long shot, however, who better than two prospects whose whole careers have been about making those long shots? Being a left-footed punter, teams will have to adjust their formations to help fit his needs. But I know there are other players in the league who are told to just bang the ball as far as they can down the field, and the team is going to cover. San Diego State. His footprints adorn the record books at the position. FREE Boxing fight stream. Its time to look at five of the upcoming classs most intriguing (rather than the best) prospects. Punter prospects in the NFL Draft are more commonplace than youd presume. Chicago Bears 2023 Free Agency Roundtable: Signing we dont want to see. But, thats not all Araiza can do. They are going to have to choose between cutting their sixth round draft pick who recently won the starting punter job, or getting harassed by the fans for not cutting him. Both batches of decision-makers agree on one overriding idea: Field position really, really matters. Of course, Ray Guys first-round selection in 1973 is an anomaly. But, thats not all Araiza can do. Let them know that we sent you! Araiza may be the greatest college punter of all time. At Michigan, he excelled as partner in crime for Aidan Hutchinson, the projected first-overall pick in the upcoming draft. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, . Hes a talented guy who should help with winning the field position category., However, just like any other special teams prospect, Coach Maalouf believes the San Diego State product should be worked out by coaches. Throughout his time as an Aztec, Araiza also successfully . Araiza's controversial stay in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills is well noted. ), wins college football weekend, deserves the Heisman . Since 2000, just two draft classes (2017 and 2011) have not had a punter selected to the NFL. As a San Diego native, there was naturally just one choice. As the 2022 NFL Draft nears, its time to put our money where our mouth is and start making some predictions about the class. Ethan Sears. All Rights Reserved. Of the 27 punters drafted in the past 15 seasons, just six of these players have made a Pro Bowl these six punters only made one Pro Bowl each. Matt Araiza had two punts of more than 80 yards last season, including an 86-yarder that was the longest punt in college football.He might be able to punt a football from San Diego to Buffalo. Yes, thats right Araiza truly flipped the field for the Aztecs, changing the line-of-scrimmage from their own 11-yard-line to the 3-yard-line of the Spartans. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. From the aforementioned information, it appears that Araiza is an elite punting prospect. But there are questions about Davis viability at the NFL level. 2:39 pm ET, did he lead the nation in punting average, 2023 NFL free agent interior offensive linemen, NFL free agent offensive tackles: Sizing up 2023 market, Free agent WR market: Breaking down available talent, NFL 2023 free agency: Top TEs set to hit open market, NFL 2023 free agency: Top RBs set to hit open market, 'Punt God' Matt Araiza not first punter taken, NFL Combine: QB, WR, TE run 40s, compete in drills, Mock Draft: Panthers, Colts trade up for QBs, Rodgers' trade value, logistics, best fit, Pascal robbed at gunpoint, assaulted; WR 'doing fine', Bryce Young measures similar to former No. His 32 vertical jump was the same as Chris Olave, our 15th-highest-ranked prospect. An all-around special teams contributor, the 2021 unanimous All-American had kickoff duties for San Diego State. (Interestingly, I found out while researching this that Cleveland used second round picks in both 1977 and 1978 to draft a punter. Yet, in San Diego State punter Matt Araiza, the 2022 NFL Draft class might possess the most high-profile and highly skilled punter prospect in recent history. Matt Araiza 2022 NFL Draft Profile. Weve been studying the players for 11 months. More than just power, Araiza has a punting style that causes the ball to roll forward if it is not caught. No wonder the "punt god" is generating NFL draft buzz. Although the 40-yard-dash may not be a direct indicator of a players game speed, the fact that Araiza ran a 4.68 is notable in its own right. Now time for my prediction: I believe Matt Araiza will be selected in the later portion of Round 4, or in Round 5 of the 2022 NFL Draft. San Diego State's Matt Araiza, meanwhile, might have the strongest leg in the draft. Meanwhile, Araiza saw some sophomore struggles, completing only 71% of his field goals and missing an extra point for the first time in his career. The 21-year-old is a special teams star who won the. Coach Marwan Maalouf, currently coaching special teams at the University of Miami and longtime NFL special teams coach, thinks highly of Araiza. (AV) of a punter per season who has been drafted in the last 15 seasons. The truth of the matter, however, is that Araiza is just the tip of the iceberg of a talented punting class. Positives: Strong-legged punter whos also an exceptional directional kicker. Despite those struggles. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Punter prospects are rare, multiple in the same class are even more so. Tracker; Grades; Spending; Tenders; Draft. In fact, there hasnt been an NFL starter in the 21st century built as big as the Aussie. These arent just courtesy of a lucky bounce either these punts are traveling through the air. Landing both prospects would fill position needs, but that's a dream scenario because Gardner will likely be long gone if the Chargers decide to stay at No.