His season average of 51.19 yards set a new single-season record. He can be seen putting his high school track athleticism to good use getting downfield. They both feature within draftable range on my recently released 2022 NFL Draft Top 300 Big Board. Even then, the potential power lingering in his left leg remained lowkey. Im tougher, stronger, more athletic than Odafe Oweh. Now, he is one of the rarest prospects in football: a punter with buzz. The San Diego State punter has a career-long 53-yard field goal to his name. Possesses a monster leg, gets tremendous hang time on punts, and allows coverage teams to get downfield and make the play. Banners rationale is driven by the notion of replacement value. What I was asked to do was different from a skill set (perspective) than maybe other players have. 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. Mock Draft Database Sites; NFL NBA NHL MLB. Araiza's controversial stay in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills is well noted. Matt Araiza Scouting Report. Meanwhile, Texas specialist Cameron Dicker has punting and kicking versatility. But there are questions about Davis viability at the NFL level. The biggest surprise is that college football's top punter, Matt Araiza, wasn't the first punter off the board this year. 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. San Diego State's Matt Araiza headlines a potentially historic 2022 NFL Draft class with at least three punters picked in our projections. It's not clear why Araiza dropped all the way down to the sixth round, but there are plenty of theories. Consistent directional punter that can kick it out to the sidelines or place it inside the 10-yard line. He played fewer than half of Georgias defensive snaps in 2021 and played only 18% of third-down snaps. How does Matt Araiza figure in calculus of 2022 NFL Draft? To put that in perspective, there were only six punts of 70 or more yards by every NFL punter combined last season. The left-legged punter can effortlessly boom the ball the entire length of the field. 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. Lawyer: Matt Araiza & Bills knew nothing of allegations before Draft Day For starters, college football allows for any player to go downfield after the snap on a punt. Both Stout and Camarda carry draftable grades from NFL scouts. His, was better than many who are projected to be high draft selections, including. Based on net punting averages, you can usually find UDFAs who will rank above average at the position in directional punting and hang time.. 1 CB, Paul Burmeister: Why Derek Carr Might Not Be QB to Win You a Championship, Tracker: Patriots Release QB Hoyer. 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. Two NFL teams had Matt Araiza red flags before draftMatt Araiza Archives - NFL Draft Countdown 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. Colorado States Ryan Stonehouse featured just behind Araiza this year, with an average of 50.9 yards per punt. All this high school success mattered very little when it came to the recruiting process. 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. Punts in between the 30s (2021 only):Jordan Stout, Penn State (36 Punts)Inside 20 83%Inside 10 53%Touchback 6%Average Field Pos. All Rights Reserved. San Diego State's Matt Araiza headlines a potentially historic 2022 NFL Draft class with at least three punters picked in our projections. 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. Of Araiza's 79 punts, 37 went for at least 50 yards; 17 went for 60 yards or more; six went at least 70 yards; and two went for 80-plus yards (no other punter had two punts of 80 yards). At 6ft 9in (!) At worst, the allegation contained in a civil lawsuit filed Thursday that Araiza, a former San Diego State star . 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.. The NFL Draft doesn't usually surprise us much when it comes to punting, but on Saturday it came with two big surprises. This wasnt just a one-off occurrence either. Matt Araiza is currently projected to be drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals at No. Matt Araiza boots 90-yard punt (!!), wins college football weekend He converted all but one of his 97 career extra-point attempts, too. You dont get the award that celebrates collegiate punting excellence without being exceptional. 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Matt Araiza. Field Pos. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. He possesses all the tools to start in the NFL and will be a very early draft pick for a punter. But how have other drafted punters panned out in the NFL? If we include the multi-faceted Travon Walker in the discussion, he may wind up being the third defensive lineman taken from Georgias all-world defensive front. 2023 NFL Draft Top 25 Big Board: Young No. All 2022 NFL Draft Projections are taken from the latest Sporting News NFL Mock Draft by Vinnie Iyer. DATABASE. It's probable that he would have hit a fourth for 55 yards . But when you boom not just one, but two punts over 80 yards, you earn some attention. 2023 Mock Drafts 2024 Mock Drafts 2025 Mock Drafts. NFL Draft Provile. The relationship is not close to being statistically significant here, and the R-squared value is almost negligible. No wonder the "punt god" is generating NFL draft buzz. Matt Araiza #19 of the Buffalo Bills takes the field during practice on Aug. 5, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York. At least three punters will be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft that is the prediction. Additionally, Ray Guy was a first-round pick in 1973, with the award for punting success named after him. One of the most exciting prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft is San Diego State Universitys Matt Araiza. 2022 NFL Draft: Profiles for 20 potential LA Rams picks on Day 3 As a result, theres an ever-growing feeling that his floor in the 2022 NFL Draft will be the fifth round. The temptation to declare it the greatest punting class of all time is understandable. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. WCGs Lead Draft Analyst shares brief anecdotes on each of his top performers from Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Combine. San Diego State football record-setting punter Matt Araiza entering NFL 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. Track the most effective teams on first down in the league, and youll notice they just so happen to be the most effective defenses. Current. He might be able to punt a football from San Diego to Buffalo. He was a sixth-round pick of the team at the 2022 NFL draft. 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. He only makes two steps upon catching the ball, as opposed to a running start that some college punters use. 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. Stout was slightly ahead of him at 44.5 while Camarda was well below both guys at 41.6. Analysis: Araiza took a step to the forefront last season and was a rockstar punter for the Aztecs. But there are tantalising stories further down the board. Mocks. Araiza was selected by the Bills in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. 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. Two NFL teams had Matt Araiza red flags before draft. There have been multiple third-round selections, while FSU punter John Stark was a second-round choice in 1982. Hes unlikely to be the first defensive lineman off the board. Consistency. Consistent ball striking, hang time, and placement are key factors in punter evaluation. These traits make for an incredibly impressive athlete, but how would he test at the NFL Combine? One of the most exciting prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft is San Diego State University's Matt Araiza. The left-footer with the big leg has been widely projected by draft analysts as the top . He also set the FBS mark for 50-yard punts with his 33rd of the season. holy crap.you know what I just realized? Matt Araiza, better known as "Punt God", played for the San Diego State Aztecs for a total of three seasons between 2019 and 2021. No other punter has nailed two 80+ yard punts in 2021. Matt Araiza Draft Profile 2022 | NFL Mock Draft DatabaseBuffalo Bills could target insanely good punter Matt Araiza early in 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. The roster has been set for awhile in the defensive trenches. He wound up at the same school as Odafe Oweh, a first-round pick for the Baltimore Ravens in last years draft. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. We have an 86 yard punt EIGHTY SIX (CC @RKalland) pic.twitter.com/KIi5d3VTTO. Matt Araiza is one of the more fascinating prospects of the 2022 NFL Draft which is saying something, considering he's a punter. NFL draft's top punter is Matt Araiza - Sports Illustrated Other Aztecs are also headed for the NFL Draft as well. Following a flourish of free agency action, theres a clearer picture of NFL team needs. 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. Araiza has as many 80-yard punts in just this season as the NFL has produced since 2013. 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. Achieving a historic 12-win season and earning a spot in the final College Football Playoff Top 25 Rankings brought many advantages for the San Diego State Aztecs. Of course he was. We explored a massive trade-down scenario in a recent seven-round mock draft. As a result, theres an ever-growing feeling that his floor in the 2022 NFL Draft will be the fifth round. Matt Araiza Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.comFormer Aztecs punter Matt Araiza reaching new heights with his kicks This is the most yards per punt a player has ever averaged in a single NCAA season, illustrating his sheer dominance. SOMEONE GET ME A TABLE!! Although it is important to recognize that some of these punters have not had as many seasons as others theyve competed against, some believe a player like Araiza should be one of the top NFL punters immediately upon entering the league. August 26, 2022. Even these statistical accomplishments usually wouldnt attract the adoration that Araiza has received in this NFL Draft process. The 2022 NFL draft is a little over two weeks away. Eric D. Williams goes to practice with Matt Araiza, who could be the first punter selected on Day 2 of a draft since 2012. . Theres simply no escaping it. Stroud Shares Praise for Justin Fields, Fields former OSU teammate and top draft prospect spoke highly of the Bears QB at a Combine media session, Trevis Gipson to particpate in NFL Career Tours. Together, they were unblockable. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. They call him Punt God. 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. The San Diego State punter was better than Camarda in almost every metric last season. 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. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, the highest he is projected to go is in the fifth round picks 144 through 179. Not only did he lead the nation in punting average with an FBS-record 51.4 yards per punt, but he also had six punts of at least 70 yards in 2021, which was the most in the country. A team will take the bet that Faalele can, probably in the first round. And no, thats not the type of gimmicky love youll see bestowed on some other athletes in minor roles. Matt Araiza, San Diego State P | NFL Draft Scouting Report 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. 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. Matt Araiza, Daniel Bellinger and Cameron Thomas, though, have gotten the most buzz . The only other times it happened came in 1993 and 2007. The 2022 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, with the first round kicking off on Thursday, April 28th. Simply put, Araiza is the best punting prospect to enter the NFL Draft in quite some time. SUBSCRIBEto the Vendetta YouTube Channel! His broad jump of 10 1 was better than many who are projected to be high draft selections, including Aidan Hutchinson, David Bell, Isaiah Spiller, Brian Robinson Jr., and Trey McBride. 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. 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. Despite those struggles. He believes it is worth taking chances on other positions earlier in the draft rather than a punter. Above is a plot of the average. 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. Matt Araiza draft rumors: San Diego State punter declares for 2022 NFL 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? the 341 lb Davis ran the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds. Among the players expected to hear his name is punter Matt Araiza out of San Diego State. There have only been 10 punts of 80 yards in the entirety of college football this century. Matt Araiza 2022 NFL Draft Profile. 17 for the first round of the draft. They'll give up some big returns, but they'll also have some giant flips of field position.". 174. Now for the burning question: where will Araiza be drafted in April? Of course, there were more rounds and selections back then. Araiza sits neatly at the intersection of crusty old Football Guys and the new wave of analytically . Stop by our 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel for Bear Bones LIVE at FIVE as we get in on some mock draft fun! John Harbaugh is a former special teams coach and he has a better eye for punters and kickers than any other head coach in the NFL, so if he wanted Stout, you can bet he liked his punting style more than he liked Araiza's booming style. The Bears find themselves not only needing a new punter to replace Pat ODonnell and compete with Ryan Winslow, but they also have several other needs on the roster. He has the power to flip the field with one kick. A two-star prospect, Araiza was the 20th-ranked kicker in the 2018 class. Matt Araiza: Bills rookie crushes 82-yard punt in NFL preseason debut The only question now is whether the franchise that selects him is stocked up on enough XXXXXXXXL gear. Bills get the Punt God in the SIXTH ROUND. Between high school punting and a love of soccer, he developed a powerful leg that has been comfortably the most powerful in college football this last season. The 21-year-old is a special teams star who won the 2021 Ray Guy Award, given to the best punter in college football. Matt Araiza College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College 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. That said, Matt Araiza is a generational talent at punter. In 2021, Araiza has emerged as something of a rockstar in the punting community. 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. In yesterdays game, Matt Araiza elevated his NCAA record with his 16th punt of 60+ yards this year. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Report: NFL Teams Could Make Surprising Decision At Punter Punters are NFL Draft prospects, too always have been, always will be. In our heart of hearts, I can lay my head down at night knowing that Ive tried to do whats right., The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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