It's probable that he would have hit a fourth for 55 yards . Meanwhile, Texas specialist Cameron Dicker has punting and kicking versatility. Cut (s): Eli Ankou, Prince Emili, Mike Love, Kingsley Jonathan, Brandin Bryant, Daniel Joseph, C.J. https://t.co/mIr2tYt8LT. That said, Matt Araiza is a generational talent at punter. #Bills #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/EA1iEWkdyA. Other Aztecs are also headed for the NFL Draft as well. According to Austin Gayle of Pro Football Focus, 63 percent of Araiza's punts were downed inside the 20; another 27 were downed inside the 10. and 387lb (!!) Araiza is set to be one of the highest-selected punters in recent NFL Draft history. Araiza, nicknamed the "Punt God," was a unanimous All-American and the winner of the Ray Guy Award in 2021. Matt Araiza was selected in the sixth-round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Araiza also boomed an 86-yard punt last season, which was the longest in college football. Despite Araiza's incredible 2021 season, he is not expected to be among the highest-drafted punters of all time. The big-legged San Diego native is considered one of the best prospects at his position in years and many are eager to see where he lands. Matt Araiza NFL Draft projections. But how have other drafted punters panned out in the NFL? On Aug. 25 shortly after the team awarded Araiza the starting punting job, he was accused of being part of a gang raping of a 17-year-old girl while he attended San Diego State, according to the Los Angeles Times. 5th Year Option Projections; Free Agency. And yet in a weak quarterback class, Strong remains the most gifted thrower of the bunch, a fact that should matter when a quarterbacks principal responsibility is to pass the ball. 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. There have only been two draft classes since the turn of the century where a punter hasnt been selected in the NFL Draft. The previous year, he punted five times for 249 yards, averaging 49.8 yards per punt. Araiza is set to be one of the highest-selected punters in recent NFL Draft history. I didnt know the positions or what roles they played. Since 2000, just two draft classes (2017 and 2011) have not had a punter selected to the NFL. 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. 1 pick, Richardson logs colossal measurements at combine, Commanders rip 'blatantly false' team sale report, Top QB in draft has one team he doesn't want to play for. He also set the FBS mark for 50-yard punts with his 33rd of the season. For whatever reason, punters have been a popular position to pick in this year's draft. For his career, Araiza averaged 51.1 yards per punt. These arent just courtesy of a lucky bounce either these punts are traveling through the air. Of course, draft analysis, projections and rumors will be dominating the headlines until then. The 2022 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, with the first round kicking off on Thursday, April 28th. Punter prospects are rare, multiple in the same class are even more so. Here's everything you need to know about Araiza heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. Below is a quick blurb about each Cornerback, Safety, Kicker, Punter, and Long Snapper I have scouted for the 2022 NFL Draft. Of course, there were more rounds and selections back then. With his power and quick punting style, gunners often have minimal time to cover Araizas punts. He quantified the athletic ability displayed on punt return coverage with an excellent showing at the NFL Combine. Some collegiate punters especially Australian punters with Aussie rule backgrounds work out of a rugby-style delivery, which includes wider splits between blockers and a running approach from the punter before kicking it low with the intention of having it bounce and be difficult for returners to field. They ignored us, [when] I warned them [what] would happen could be avoided if they just kept their heads in the sand. All Rights Reserved. Redshirting his 2018 season, Araiza learned under San Diego State kicker John Barron II. Many even called him the 'Punt God.' It also helps that Araiza is a quality kickoff specialist, as he has finished in the top-5 in the FBS in average distance on kickoffs in 2020, and his touchback percentage of 84.9 percent was the fourth-most in the nation in 2021. That demonstrates a level of composure that will be invaluable at the next level. against San Jose State in October. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. It can bail out a sloppy offensive possession by turning it into a healthy defensive position. When it comes to punters, the bigger surprise is that the Buccaneers took Camarda over Araiza. San Diego State. In addition to his prowess as a punter, Araiza has a 73.5% success rate as a field-goal kicker. This versatility only adds to his value heading into the NFL Draft since he can be the kickoff specialist as well as fill in as an emergency kicker should the starter suffer an injury during a game. That isnt the case with Araiza, who ran pro-style formations at San Diego State. Our written profile to add to our NIL Apparel and Podcast Interview of College Football's #1 Punter #sdsu #NFLDraft. Inconsistent accuracy on his field goals. MattAraiza. In the rare occurrence that one of his kicks is returned, Araiza can be found taking down the returner. NFL Draft Provile. Araiza is averaging 54.0 yards per punt, which would crush the NCAA and NFL records51.0 in college (set in 2018 by Braden Mann) / 51.4 in the NFL (set in 1940 by Slingin' Sammy Baugh). Both batches of decision-makers agree on one overriding idea: Field position really, really matters. Specialists don't often get drafted, but with Araiza being able to flip the field so easily (he has had punts go over 80 yards), an NFL team will likely draft him earlier than fans expect. Araiza is currently averaging 52.2 yards per punt. NFL punter Matt Araiza and two San Diego State football players accused in gang-rape lawsuit. In this past season alone, Araiza had the following: I have not seen a punter with the sheer power that Araiza displays on a consistent basis. There have only been 10 punts of 80 yards in the entirety of college football this century. San Diego State wasnt prepared for this 10-man rush of the punter, but that didnt matter to Araiza. His season average of 51.19 yards set a new single-season record. 154) - 1 - Cincinnati Bengals (No. But the San Diego State punter, nicknamed "Punt God" by Twitter and anyone that has seen his 80-yard moonshots for three seasons with the Aztecs, has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. Brewer. He showcases very good touch and a repeatable delivery. The temptation to declare it the greatest punting class of all time is understandable. They call him Punt God. Furthermore, its reported that Araiza routinely makes kicks from 50+ in practice. During his three-year stint as the starter for Rancho Bernardo, Araiza boomed a 71-yard long punt. In 1976 and 1978, a whopping eight punters were drafted. 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 . These primarily center around consistency. As soon as the ball left Matt Araiza's foot, the competition between the rookie and Matt Haack was over. Khalil Shakir is going down the well of a former Buffalo Bills great to hopefully improve in Year 2: Eric Moulds. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images) For the . While Araiza had decent success in landing punts inside the 20 this season, he needs to demonstrate consistency in this regard. Araiza now holds the record for punts of 50+ yards. The San Diego State redshirt junior did so by setting an NCAA record with 36 punts of . Former Bills punter Matt Araiza and former SDSU teammates will not face charges in connection with an alleged gang rape of a minor that occurred at an off-campus party in October 2021, the San . Punting out of the end zone can be tough for some punters, as there isnt much margin for error if pressure gets into the backfield, and there is more of a condensed space to operation out of. That ability to flip the field to pin opponents deep in their own half, no matter where his own offense stalls out serves as a cheat code. There have been multiple third-round selections, while FSU punter John Stark was a second-round choice in 1982. His 51.2 yards per punt is the most in a single season by any college punter in the history of the sport. Winning the first down forcing a negative play or creating a second-and-ten is how defenses can keep up in the era of the chunk play offense. Araizas game against UNLV gave the football world its first glimpse of him as a punter, nailing 4 of 5 punts over 50 yards. Stop by our 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel for Bear Bones LIVE at FIVE as we get in on some mock draft fun! A fifth-round selection for Araiza would not be particularly noteworthy in the history of punters taken in the NFL draft. 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. This begs the question: how well will Matt Araiza transition to the NFL? They also dont currently have a fourth-round pick, barring some wheeling and dealing on Draft Day. More than just power, Araiza has a punting style that causes the ball to roll forward if it is not caught. 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. 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. In 2021, the Bills only punted a total of 52 times, which was tied for the fifth-lowest total in the NFL. Surely theres some NFL team that takes him earlier than you would expect. (AV) of a punter per season who has been drafted in the last 15 seasons. His ceiling could be much higher. Positives: Strong-legged punter whos also an exceptional directional kicker. Araizas leg power is also demonstrated as a field goal and kickoff specialist. The San Diego State punter set a 4.68-second 40-yard dash while registering a 101 broad and 32 vertical jump. The big-footed San Diego native is considered one of the best prospects in his position over the years and many are eager to see . With his all-around contributions, Stout truly puts the special in special teams. Before the 2022 NFL Draft, NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein projected Araiza to go in the third round. 2022 NFL Draft Team Mock Drafts. As mentioned before, Araiza is incredibly versatile and can help the special teams unit in an impactful way. These traits make for an incredibly impressive athlete, but how would he test at the NFL Combine? Banners rationale is driven by the notion of replacement value. The first two punters went off the board in the fourth round with the Ravens selecting Jordan Stout and the Buccaneers taking Jake Camarda. 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. Based on Over The Cap's projections, . Together, they were unblockable. Not only has he shown his prowess as a punter, but Coach Maalouf adds he kicked off as well and was good at it. Hutchinson was an effort player; Ojabo the beat-them-out-of-their-cleats, vintage, get-off-and-go rusher. Where most people have legs attached to their torso, Araiza has an actual cannon. Pro Football Network, LLC. 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. Before we get into the sexier traits of punter scouting if such a thing exists I want to get into San Diego States punt formation being a benefit for Araiza. 174) - 1. Jimmypinthe416 says: August 28, 2022 at 11:39 am Was belichik lying when he drafted Hernandez. Araiza has made three 50-yard field goals so far this season, the second most in NCAA football. . He converted all but one of his 97 career extra-point attempts, too. 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. Obviously, the ability to pin your opponent deep in their own territory represents a significant advantage. Most fans expected San Diego State's Matt Araiza to be the first punter selected in the 2022 NFL draft, but multiple prospects at his position came off the board before he heard his name called . As the 2022 NFL Draft nears, it's time to put our money where our mouth is and start making some predictions about the class. Get the latest on Buffalo Bills P Matt Araiza including news, stats, videos, and more on CBSSports.com . San Diego State's Matt Araiza, meanwhile, might have the strongest leg in the draft. Matt Araiza 2022 NFL Draft Profile. All 2022 NFL Draft Projections are taken from the latest Sporting News NFL Mock Draft by Vinnie Iyer. His footprints adorn the record books at the position. Eric D. Williams goes to practice with Matt Araiza, who could be the first punter selected on Day 2 of a draft since 2012. . Araiza also succeeds as a kickoff specialist, recording 62 touchbacks on 73 attempts. 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. While college kickers take their share of criticism, the level of scrutiny and the ability to quickly lose your job in the NFL requires an exceptional level of equilibrium. Talk about ineptitude.) 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. This season Araiza hasnt had a single kick punt or field goal blocked. Punters are NFL Draft prospects, too always have been, always will be. Nicknamed "Punt God," the San Diego state product is well known for averaging 80 yards of bounce and an NCAA-record 51.19 yards per punt in 2021. . His performances earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where Jim Nagy had this to say about the 2022 NFL Draft prospect: Had calls with some of [the] top kicking gurus and overwhelming opinion is Georgias Jake Camarda is among best punting prospects to come out in past 5-10 years. 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 | 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 wound up landing at Minnesota, using the Madden video game series to swot up on the rules and regulations. Two NFL teams had Matt Araiza red flags before draft. Hang time and accuracy are just as important in the NFL. He only makes two steps upon catching the ball, as opposed to a running start that some college punters use. NFL GMs have got to love that. 901 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. 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. According to the Associated Press, executives from two different NFL teams became aware that Araiza had been involved in an incident in the lead-up to the draft, though they didnt know the extent of the allegations. 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. 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. 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. 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. At Michigan, he excelled as partner in crime for Aidan Hutchinson, the projected first-overall pick in the upcoming draft. But, thats not all Araiza can do. Odds & lines subject to change. Corey Bojorquez has also shown inconsistency. 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. March 25, 2022 5 min read. What I was asked to do was different from a skill set (perspective) than maybe other players have. Shakir, a fifth-round rookie in 2022, got off to a slow start in his career. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Increasing his punt average with every year, Stout earned an invite to the Senior Bowl, where he impressed in sometimes torrid conditions. DATABASE. Araiza joined the NFL in April as a sixth-round draft pick. Negatives: Takes a while to get the ball off his foot. The Buffalo Bills released rookie punter Matt Araiza on Saturday night. 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. and that Bill Belichick is already salivating over using a second-round pick on him in the 2022 NFL Draft. Fewer punters have been more consistent than the Georgia prospect. Tracking where Matt Araiza could be drafted in the 2022 NFL mock draft. Picking at No. 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. The 2022 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, with the first round kicking off on Thursday, April 28th. Upon arriving at the school, he knocked on the door of the football coach. 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. ), wins college football weekend, deserves the Heisman . The following is a complete Matt Araiza NFL Draft profile, including stats, highlights and a mock projection. Think thats an exaggeration? Araiza, one of the Buffalo Bills' sixth round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, boomed a . But there are questions about Davis viability at the NFL level. Do you mind if I try playing football?. Reportedly other teams did. Some draft projections have listed Araiza as a potential Day 2 selection, when rounds 2-3 will be conducted. Among the players expected to hear his name is punter Matt Araiza out of San Diego State. Below are the top 10 highest-drafted punters in the history of the NFL draft: Of that group, Guy went onto become a Pro Football Hall of Famer; Stark was a first-team All Pro selection in 1983 and four-time Pro Bowler; Skladany was a 1981 Pro Bowler; Sauebrun was a four-time All-Pro selection, three-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL punt yards leader; Tupa was a 1999 All-Pro selection; and Anger was a 2021 second-team All-Pro selection, as well as the 2013 NFL punting yards leader. He was a sixth-round pick of the team at the 2022 NFL draft. Position: K. 6-2 , 200lb (188cm, 90kg) Draft: 6th round, 180th overall of the 2022 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. Coach Marwan Maalouf, currently coaching special teams at the University of Miami and longtime NFL special teams coach, thinks highly of Araiza. The only other times it happened came in 1993 and 2007. Can he shuffle his size-18 feet quickly enough to keep up with Von Miller off the edge? Thats what teams are still trying to figure out. Araiza knocked it out of the park, posting numbers comparable to some highly ranked prospects. The team admits learning about the allegation in July. Araiza sits neatly at the intersection of crusty old Football Guys and the new wave of analytically inclined general managers. Being a left-footed punter, teams will have to adjust their formations to help fit his needs. 31, the Cincinnati Bengals sit in one of the most interesting spots of any team in the 2022 NFL draft. 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. In 2019, he hit 84.6% of his kicks. Field Pos. He is a threat to cover his own punts and kicks. Track the most effective teams on first down in the league, and youll notice they just so happen to be the most effective defenses. Im tougher, stronger, more athletic than Odafe Oweh. Jordan Davis combines size and athleticism. Now for the burning question: where will Araiza be drafted in April? PFN Draft Profile. I recognize that my train of thought may be different from the rest of the league. Of course, draft analysis, projections and rumors will be dominating the headlines until then. At 6ft 9in (!) He created a draft buzz. Araizas punting style with a nose-down punt leaves improvement for coffin corners. 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. Punters can be prolific athletes, too! Draft Order & Rookie Pools; . Talk about flipping the field. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. During his first two seasons with the Aztecs, he hit long field goals of 48 yards (Wyoming 19, Colorado 20). To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Forces a lot of fair catches. Faalele looks more like a long-lost third Clegane brother than a starting NFL tackle. Apr 22, 2022. Other Draft Prospects: TE Daniel Bellinger (UFA), LB Caden McDonald (UFA) Or are they? But now Araiza is gone, released Saturday afternoon, and with the preseason games over, the Bills have to trim . By. 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. With Camarda now in Tampa, that likely spells the end of Bradley Pinion's three-year run with the team. Use our promo code VENDETTA or use the link below to get a 100% instant matchon any deposit. Currently, Matt Araiza is projected to go around the 5th or 6th round, but that could easily change as we get closer . Teams worried about Davis role on third down should instead be focused on how he can tip the scales in their favor on the most important down of all. Above is a plot of the average Approximate Value (AV) of a punter per season who has been drafted in the last 15 seasons. Login. 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. Moreover, his lack of blocked kicks demonstrates that Araiza consistently gets good elevation. That includes CBSSports.com, which lists Araiza as the 126th prospect in the draft. Troy . The list of accomplishments is unreal. Drawing attention across the media landscape driven by the king of punters himself, Pat McAfee Araiza has broken records with his ridiculously powerful left leg. One of the most dangerous weapons in college football is San Diego State punter Matt Araiza. Matt Araiza boots 90-yard punt (!! Now, he is one of the rarest prospects in football: a punter with buzz. Although he didnt participate in any all-star games, Araizas ascension has continued through the pre-draft process. An achilles injury at Michigans pro day has seen his stock take a hit and served as an example of the dark side of the draft process.