If youre sitting comfortably, lets begin. The biggest surprise is that college football's top punter, Matt Araiza, wasn't the first punter off the board this year. With his cannon for a leg, positional versatility, and publicity few punters have ever attracted, Araiza has the potential to be selected significantly higher than most punters have in recent NFL Draft classes. When a guy leads college football in all major punting statistics including average yards, punt yards per game, punts inside the 20 yard line, and PATs made, he's going to draw NFL draft attention. Upon arriving at the school, he knocked on the door of the football coach. 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. He is a threat to cover his own punts and kicks. For his career, Araiza averaged 51.1 yards per punt. That isnt the case with Araiza, who ran pro-style formations at San Diego State. 1. player. Draft Order & Rookie Pools; . He also has the ability to make tackles, with speed and athleticism. The victims lawyer, Dan Gilleon, said the Bills also ignored his warnings about Araiza in late July. He reportedly said, "Bills Mafia, there is no off-season.". In the first of these predictions pieces, Matt Araiza leads a cast of at least three punters selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. Talk about ineptitude.) Getting off the field on third downs is a staple of shouty-man-on-TV analysis, but success on first downs is more predictive of long-term success. Copyright 2019-2023. Former Saints punter Thomas Morstead recently explained to the Athletic why that's a concern. He had a scholarship offer before he even put a helmet on. Based on Over The Cap's projections, . For whatever reason, punters have been a popular position to pick in this year's draft. T Formation Conversation: Live from the NFL Combine. Jimmypinthe416 says: August 28, 2022 at 11:39 am Was belichik lying when he drafted Hernandez. They'll give up some big returns, but they'll also have some giant flips of field position.". More than just power, Araiza has a punting style that causes the ball to roll forward if it is not caught. As soon as the ball left Matt Araiza's foot, the competition between the rookie and Matt Haack was over. Araiza sits neatly at the intersection of crusty old Football Guys and the new wave of analytically . Colorado States Ryan Stonehouse featured just behind Araiza this year, with an average of 50.9 yards per punt. Showcasing an exceptionally powerful leg, he holds the Penn State field-goal record with a 57-yard strike against Pitt in 2019. But there can be no doubt that in a jumbled quarterback class, taking a punt on the best pure thrower would represent the best value play for quarterback-needy franchises. Here's everything you need to know about Araiza heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. There have been multiple third-round selections, while FSU punter John Stark was a second-round choice in 1982. and that Bill Belichick is already salivating over using a second-round pick on him in the 2022 NFL Draft. General manager Tom Telesco spoke to the media on Thursday and was asked about Araiza in the draft. 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. 17 for the first round of the draft. That is the nickname San Diego State's Matt Araiza has received from his incredible collegiate career. We've been studying the players for 11 months. One theory on why he fell is because he's never held for extra point or field goals. The following is a complete Matt Araiza NFL Draft profile, including stats, highlights and a mock projection. The Bills may not have known about the allegations hanging over punter Matt Araiza when they . Araiza sits neatly at the intersection of crusty old Football Guys and the new wave of analytically inclined general managers. Araiza has a cannon for a leg, shown with his 86-yard punt against San Jose State in October. Araiza is set to be one of the highest-selected punters in recent NFL Draft history. If I can get my punter as an UDFA instead of using a draft selection on him, that would be preferable.. While Araiza has been electrifying college football this season, Georgia punter Jake Camarda should earn himself the nickname Mr. That's no fault to the other guys on the offensive or defensive side of the . Despite those struggles,Araizas game against UNLV gave the football world its first glimpse of him as a punter, nailing 4 of 5 punts over 50 yards. 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. WCGs Lead Draft Analyst shares brief anecdotes on each of his top performers from Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Combine. I am sure he is very upset and disappointed that his career with the Bills ended not because he played poorly but because of false allegations leveled against him by a young lady and her attorney, Araizas lawyer, Kerry Armstrong, told the AP. Following a flourish of free agency action, theres a clearer picture of NFL team needs. The punt went for a touchback, but when you still factor the flipping from San Diego States 21-yard line to Hawaiis 20-yard line, thats still a 59-yard flip with the touchback. A versatile punter who can flip field position and force the opposition to account for him while nailing game-winning field goals with regularity is hard to find. To put that in perspective, there were only six punts of 70 or more yards by every NFL punter combined last season. Araizas punting style with a nose-down punt leaves improvement for coffin corners. Shakir, a fifth-round rookie in 2022, got off to a slow start in his career. That said, Matt Araiza is a generational talent at punter. Stout was slightly ahead of him at 44.5 while Camarda was well below both guys at 41.6. Other Draft Prospects: TE Daniel Bellinger (UFA), LB Caden McDonald (UFA) As a result, theres an ever-growing feeling that his floor in the 2022 NFL Draft will be the fifth round. That hasn't happened for a punter since 2012, when Jacksonville selected Cal's . 174. Pro football is a game of land acquisition, played four downs at a time. In 1976 and 1978, a whopping eight punters were drafted. In 35 games across three years at San Diego State, he punted 84 times for 4,293 yards a 51.1 yards-per-punt rate. All Rights Reserved. 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. Many even called him the 'Punt God.' A minor nitpick in Araizas game is that a quick delivery like his can make it tougher for his teammates to cover significant ground in coverage, but when you factor in how much stronger his leg is than the average punter, it doesnt even matter. Tracking where Matt Araiza could be drafted in the 2022 NFL mock draft. Twenty-nine percent of his punts went for touchbacks. The San Diego State punter was better than Camarda in almost every metric last season. Certainly, the conversation around Araiza as a potential Day 2 prospect fuels that narrative. Araiza can take up one spot on a roster, rather than a team having to carry a player at both punter and placekicker. The rest of the league has moved to embrace the off-script creators, players who can go and get a bucket all by themselves with their arms or legs when the offensive structure breaks down. The relationship is not close to being statistically significant here, and the R-squared value is almost negligible. Apr 22, 2022. 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. 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. Track the most effective teams on first down in the league, and youll notice they just so happen to be the most effective defenses. You cant even tell that traveling more than 60 yards through the air is a difficult task for a punter by how easy Araiza makes it look. The Bills may not have knownaboutthe allegations hanging over punter Matt Araiza when they drafted him, but at least two other teams had an inkling that something had happened. Araizas leg power is also demonstrated as a field goal and kickoff specialist. In 2021, the Bills only punted a total of 52 times, which was tied for the fifth-lowest total in the NFL. Araiza has a cannon for a leg, shown with his. On his list of the top 150 prospects on NFL.com, Daniel Jeremiah listed Araiza at No. The Aztec junior is an offensive weapon that frequently puts his defense in favorable spots. It can bail out a sloppy offensive possession by turning it into a healthy defensive position. The NFL Draft doesn't usually surprise us much when it comes to punting, but on Saturday it came with two big surprises. 2023 NFL Combine Hand Size Results: Notable Quarterback Measurements and More, 2023 NFL Combine Risers: Christian Gonzalez, Deonte Banks, and Brian Branch Perform Well, Anthony Richardson Combine Results: Florida Star Makes Case for QB1, Jahmyr Gibbs Landing Spots: Eagles, Saints, and Cardinals Most Popular in Mock Drafts. (Interestingly, I found out while researching this that Cleveland used second round picks in both 1977 and 1978 to draft a punter. With only two defenders shooting downfield, returning teams dont have to worry as much about initial pressure up the middle and have more of an opportunity to rush the punter. The San Diego State product has shot up draft boards (relatively) thanks to a season in which he set an NCAA record by averaging 51.19 yards per punt, eclipsing the record set by Texas A&M's Braden Mann in 2018. The only other times it happened came in 1993 and 2007. A fifth-round selection for Araiza would not be particularly noteworthy in the history of punters taken in the NFL draft. PFN Draft Profile. Before you scoff at this notion and dismiss it based on the allegation that Reeder is a "terrible" NFL player who wasn't even drafted, let's look at how the 2 players measure up. It's not often the best player on a team is the punter, but that was the case for the Aztecs last season. Even then, the potential power lingering in his left leg remained lowkey. His, was better than many who are projected to be high draft selections, including. An immobile quarterback with a sketchy knee will be a no-no for most teams, and depending on how concerned teams are about the injury he could slip all the way to day three of the draft. 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. At Michigan, he excelled as partner in crime for Aidan Hutchinson, the projected first-overall pick in the upcoming draft. Punter prospects in the NFL Draft are more commonplace than youd presume. NFL punter Matt Araiza and two San Diego State football players accused in gang-rape lawsuit. Entry: 2022 Draft, Round 6, #180 overall (Bills) Contract History. Araiza, one of the Buffalo Bills' sixth round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, boomed a . These primarily center around consistency. Used as a field-goal kicker for San Diego State and shows the ability to hit them from long distance. No punter has been selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft since 1995. Punter Bryan Anger famously went five picks before Russell Wilson in 2012 with the 70th overall pick. Matt Araiza, better known as "Punt God", played for the San Diego State Aztecs for a total of three seasons between 2019 and 2021. Predicting Four 2023 Middle Linebacker Free Agent Destinations The 2023 NFL offseason should be stacked, Von Miller Eyeing GM Career Post Retirement NFL legend and current Buffalo Bills Edge rusher, Former OSU quarterback C.J. 17 for the first round of the draft. From the aforementioned information, it appears that Araiza is an elite punting prospect. . Indeed, it wouldnt be jaw-dropping to see Araiza a punter! I was 17 years old and I had no idea who Matt Araiza was," she said. The redshirt freshman hit 85% of his field goals, nailed every extra point attempt, and smashed 78% of his kickoffs through the back of the end zone. When it comes to punters, the bigger surprise is that the Buccaneers took Camarda over Araiza. Consistent directional punter that can kick it out to the sidelines or place it inside the 10-yard line. San Diego State wasnt prepared for this 10-man rush of the punter, but that didnt matter to Araiza. 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 per punt. According to PFF, Araiza had the eighth-lowest kickoff return percentage in the country at less than 15%. Despite Araiza's incredible 2021 season, he is not expected to be among the highest-drafted punters of all time. Punters can be prolific athletes, too! Analysis: Araiza took a step to the forefront last season and was a rockstar punter for the Aztecs. Continue with Recommended Cookies, (Derrick Tuskan/San Diego State Athletics). Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza, who has quickly risen to fame with a strong leg and a catchy nickname, faces a very serious off-field issue before his first NFL game.According to the Los Angeles . Four drafted punters are actually less rare than one might imagine. Like clockwork. Matt Araiza. 174) - 1. What Would a Zero-RB Fantasy Football Draft Look Like in 2022? All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Matt Araiza 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. But now Araiza is gone, released Saturday afternoon, and with the preseason games over, the Bills have to trim . If that seems confusing/odd/laughable (delete as applicable), think about this: In 2021 he hit 18 punts of 60-plus yards and a pair of 80-plus yarders. From the aforementioned information, it appears that Araiza is an elite punting prospect. 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. But there are questions about Davis viability at the NFL level. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. "He was like, 'You're outkicking your coverage. This power was proved in the 2021 season, as he had 18 punts of 60+ yards and two of 80+ yards. Araiza must ensure that his strides and ball striking remain consistent from kick to kick. The draft is sharpening into focus. Araiza has a pure fourth-round grade on my board, and he is one point away in my grading scale from what would be considered the greatest punting prospect of all time. We're not controlling field position.' 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. Matt Araiza Overview. The temptation to declare it the greatest punting class of all time is understandable. While a running start can provide for more power, power is far from an issue with Araiza. The prolific punter also showcased his versatility as a powerful placekicker, hitting 77% of his 48 attempts with a career long of 53 yards. With his power and quick punting style, gunners often have minimal time to cover Araizas punts. 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. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. The LA Chargers have 11 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft and there is a chance that the team could draft San Diego State punter Matt Araiza. Araiza served as SDSU's placekicker while he was in college, so he's never had to hold. What Matt Araiza did in college football was revolutionary from a position where it's tough to disrupt how the game is played. Pro Football Network, LLC. MKFs unique style and gameplay make betting fun and easy. 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.. However, he set a new single-season program record for field goals with 22. He is exceptional on fourth down, averaging 51.2 yards per punt in his most recent season. March 25, 2022 5 min read. 2023 NFL Draft Top 25 Big Board: Young No. The Buffalo Bills have claimed they did not know about allegations recently made in a lawsuit against former punter Matt Araiza prior to the 2022 NFL draft. He has the power to flip the field with one kick. But, thats not all Araiza can do. That demonstrates a level of composure that will be invaluable at the next level. Given the recent trends of where punters have been drafted, it would make sense for Araiza to be selected on Day 3 since only Bryan Anger has been taken before then in the past 15 years. San Diego State's Matt Araiza is putting punters on the map, and his scouting report reveals why he's a highly rated 2022 NFL Draft prospect. At worst, the allegation contained in a civil lawsuit filed Thursday that Araiza, a former San Diego State star . They call him Punt God. Before the 2022 NFL Draft, NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein projected Araiza to go in the third round. Vendetta Sports Media is sponsored by Monkey Knife Fight, the fastest growing DFS site in the industry. Login. This next punt traveled 88 yards through the air, landing from his own 12-yard line to the literal goal line. Talk about flipping the field. Camarda has averaged 46.8, 46.6, and 46.7 yards per punt, respectively, over the past three seasons. We have an 86 yard punt EIGHTY SIX (CC @RKalland) pic.twitter.com/KIi5d3VTTO. He maintained composure in a penetrated backfield, and he was able to send the ball 65 yards through the air with ease. In a sign of things to come at the collegiate level, his 37 career field goals set a San Diego Section record. He is exceptional on fourth down, averaging 51.2 yards per punt in his most recent season. Of course, Davis didnt need to play third downs at Georgia because the damage was already done on the first two downs. Starting with the Punt God himself, lets examine the punter prospects that make up this unlikeliest of NFL Draft predictions. In 2021, Araiza has emerged as something of a rockstar in the punting community. His footprints adorn the record books at the position. That is an incredibly high projection for a special teams player, as punters and kicker often . Incredible run. Now, he is one of the rarest prospects in football: a punter with buzz. In this graphic, there appears to be nearly no association between where a player was selected and his average AV per season. 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. He might be able to punt a football from San Diego to Buffalo. 201. 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. But how have other drafted punters panned out in the NFL? He converted all but one of his 97 career extra-point attempts, too. Clouding Strongs status is a knee injury that he picked up playing basketball as a kid, one that saw him miss his senior year of high school football. Banners rationale is driven by the notion of replacement value. Throughout his time as an Aztec, Araiza also successfully . There have been multiple third-round selections, while FSU punter John Stark was a second-round choice in 1982. 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.
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matt araiza draft projection