Copyright 2019-2023. MORE:NFL Draft prospects 2022: Updated big board of top 150 players, rankings by position. Matt Araiza Draft Stock & Draft Projection. 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. At the very least, remember the name Matt Araiza and the punt god designation following him. 2022 NFL Draft Team Mock Drafts. The prolific punter also showcased his versatility as a powerful placekicker, hitting 77% of his 48 attempts with a career long of 53 yards. That demonstrates a level of composure that will be invaluable at the next level. Jimmypinthe416 says: August 28, 2022 at 11:39 am Was belichik lying when he drafted Hernandez. 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. Four punters were chosen in the 2016 NFL Draft. 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. That hasn't happened for a punter since 2012, when Jacksonville selected Cal's . 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. Although there's some concern that Araiza's booming punts could lead to him outkicking his coverage, San Diego State seemed to do just fine covering his punts. While a replication of Guys first-round selection is as unlikely as Pat Bradys 99-yard punt for Nevada in 1950, Araizas scouting report reveals an NFL-worthy talent who should hear his name called as early as Day 2 in the 2022 NFL Draft. Bills get the Punt God in the SIXTH ROUND. Does a terrific job selling fake punts. The first two punters went off the board in the fourth round with the Ravens selecting Jordan Stout and the Buccaneers taking Jake Camarda. 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. Hutchinson was an effort player; Ojabo the beat-them-out-of-their-cleats, vintage, get-off-and-go rusher. Weve been studying the players for 11 months. They call him Punt God. The number of seasons for each punter includes every season where at least half of a season was played. Punts in between the 30s (2021 only):Jordan Stout, Penn State (36 Punts)Inside 20 83%Inside 10 53%Touchback 6%Average Field Pos. The WCG crew ran through several free agency questions in this roundtable, and today we listed the one signing we expect Ryan Poles to make. 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. 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. Im tougher, stronger, more athletic than Odafe Oweh. However, he set a new single-season program record for field goals with 22. He might be able to punt a football from San Diego to Buffalo. 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 . When and how often will Davis play? Dicker The Kicker has a 46.3-yard career punting average and 75.9% career field-goal completion. 17 for the first round of the draft. holy crap.you know what I just realized? No punter has been selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft since 1995. 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). For reference, the NFL single-season record for average punt is 51.4 yards. 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. 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. 2022 NFL Draft Predictions: Matt Araiza leads class of at least three punters picked, The punter prospects projected to be drafted in this 2022 NFL Draft prediction, Ryan Stonehouse and Cameron Dicker round out punter predictions for the 2022 NFL Draft. Stout will likely end up replacing the longtime Ravens punter, who turns 40 in August. With his power and quick punting style, gunners often have minimal time to cover Araizas punts. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images) 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. Pro Football Network, LLC. Check this out. 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. 5th Year Option Projections; Free Agency. Yet, in San Diego State punter Matt Araiza, the 2022 NFL Draft class might possess the most high-profile and highly skilled . We've received your submission. Colorado States Ryan Stonehouse featured just behind Araiza this year, with an average of 50.9 yards per punt. His footprints adorn the record books at the position. 2. Matt Araiza, Daniel Bellinger and Cameron Thomas, though, have gotten the most buzz . Araizas leg power is also demonstrated as a field goal and kickoff specialist. 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. He gets the ball off quickly and generates an insane amount of force from his left leg. Following a flourish of free agency action, theres a clearer picture of NFL team needs. Based on net punting averages, you can usually find UDFAs who will rank above average at the position in directional punting and hang time.. While Araiza had decent success in landing punts inside the 20 this season, he needs to demonstrate consistency in this regard. 1. I cant see him falling past Round 4, which seems like a weird thing to say about a punter, but thats definitely the case with him. At least three punters will be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft that is the prediction. Nicknamed "Punt God," the San Diego State product became well known for booming punts 80 yards and averaging an NCAA-record 51.19 yards . One other theory is that teams are afraid Araiza might outkick his coverage in the NFL. 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. As a result, theres an ever-growing feeling that his floor in the 2022 NFL Draft will be the fifth round. After hitting an 86-yard punt against Hawaii, Araiza has become something of a social media starlet, earning the nickname Punt God.. San Diego State's Matt Araiza headlines a potentially historic 2022 NFL Draft class with at least three punters picked in our projections. Thats what teams are still trying to figure out. A three-time CIF San Diego State section Kicker of the Year and a sophomore first-team All-American, Araizas athletic accolades werent restricted to the football field. No punter has been selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft since 1995. This next punt traveled 88 yards through the air, landing from his own 12-yard line to the literal goal line. Punters are NFL Draft prospects, too always have been, always will be. The list of accomplishments is unreal. All Rights Reserved. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. The Ray Guy Award bears his name. The biggest thing to note from the preseason is Epenesa. 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. But, thats not all Araiza can do. We've been studying the players for 11 months. He wound up at the same school as Odafe Oweh, a first-round pick for the Baltimore Ravens in last years draft. 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. 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The only question now is whether the franchise that selects him is stocked up on enough XXXXXXXXL gear. Kicking It With Matt Araiza: Former SDSU Kicker On His Punting Past, Present and NFL Future After declaring for the NFL Draft, former San Diego State kicker and Rancho Bernardo High School alum . The 22-year-old was expected to be the Bills' starting punter after playing well during the preseason. Araiza has a cannon for a leg, shown with his. This wasnt just a one-off occurrence either. He believes it is worth taking chances on other positions earlier in the draft rather than a punter. With Camarda now in Tampa, that likely spells the end of Bradley Pinion's three-year run with the team. "He was like, 'You're outkicking your coverage. The NFL Draft doesn't usually surprise us much when it comes to punting, but on Saturday it came with two big surprises. However, this style doesnt really translate to the NFL. 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 . It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience.