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. However, he set a new single-season program record for field goals with 22. 12.0Matt Araiza, SDSU (48 Punts)Inside 20 63%Inside 10 27%Touchback 29%Avg. His season average of 51.19 yards set a new single-season record. Shakir, a fifth-round rookie in 2022, got off to a slow start in his career. 174. 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. The San Diego, California native has a. as the Aztecs kicker. In his first season, Araiza handled kicking and kickoff duties, as his punting prowess remained hidden. Do It All. During a college career that started at Virginia Tech before his transfer to the Nittany Lions, Stout has been a kickoff specialist, punter, field-goal and extra-point kicker, and even turned his hand to playing quarterback on a fake punt against Michigan in his final season. The San Diego State punter was better than Camarda in almost every metric last season. That is an incredibly high projection for a special teams player, as punters and kicker often . 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. 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. An all-around special teams contributor, the 2021 unanimous All-American had kickoff duties for San Diego State. That was surprising.. 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 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. All Rights Reserved, accused of being involved in the gang rape of a 17-year-old, the Bills also ignored his warnings about Araiza, Josh Allen and girlfriend Brittany Williams kiss during offseason getaway, Bills GM provides Damar Hamlin update regarding potential comeback, Bills coordinator abruptly leaves team during critical time, The favorite to win NFLs Comeback Player of the Year may surprise you, Giants QB carted off after big hit by Jets lineman, Daniel Jones needs to see big picture in Giants negotiations, Red-hot Jon Rahm no match for wind-swept Bay Hill: 'F--king hard', The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, Tom Sandoval breaks silence on Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave. The Buffalo Bills released rookie punter Matt Araiza on Saturday night. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. During his first two seasons with the Aztecs, he hit long field goals of 48 yards (Wyoming 19, Colorado 20). The 2022 NFL draft is a little over two weeks away. If he passes those criteria while youre working him out and he hits the Duke well, able to turn the ball over, then yes, you check off the boxes., Once a special teams coach feels comfortable with Araizas ability, the coach may want to suggest the rest of the front office look into acquiring him in the draft. A fifth-round selection for Araiza would not be particularly noteworthy in the history of punters taken in the NFL draft. Track the most effective teams on first down in the league, and youll notice they just so happen to be the most effective defenses. The number of seasons for each punter includes every season where at least half of a season was played. But that style is outdated in the modern NFL, where the last remaining stick-slide-climb thrower is the ever-ageless Tom Brady. They both feature within draftable range on my recently released 2022 NFL Draft Top 300 Big Board. This is the most yards per punt a player has ever averaged in a single NCAA season, illustrating his sheer dominance. What I was asked to do was different from a skill set (perspective) than maybe other players have. He also set the FBS mark for 50-yard punts with his 33rd of the season. 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. His 51.2 yards per punt is the most in a single season by any college punter in the history of the sport. PFN Draft Profile. We explored a massive trade-down scenario in a recent seven-round mock draft. In fact, there hasnt been an NFL starter in the 21st century built as big as the Aussie. 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. The draft is sharpening into focus. Hi coach, Ojabo said. Although he was the top punting prospect in the draft, Araiza ended up being the third punter selected. Jordan Davis combines size and athleticism. holy crap.you know what I just realized? 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. Before the 2022 NFL Draft, NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein projected Araiza to go in the third round. The Aztec junior is an offensive weapon that frequently puts his defense in favorable spots. These traits make for an incredibly impressive athlete, but how would he test at the NFL Combine? 901 Apr 22, 2022. 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. Thats what teams are still trying to figure out. If a team is uncomfortable with your holding skills, that could absolutely lead you to dropping in the draft. Araiza leads the punter predictions for this 2022 NFL Draft. Even then, the potential power lingering in his left leg remained lowkey. He maintained composure in a penetrated backfield, and he was able to send the ball 65 yards through the air with ease. He reportedly said, "Bills Mafia, there is no off-season.". # . Every front office in the NFL may have Araiza at a different spot on their boards come the last week in April, but the standout college special teams player should hear his name called during the 2022 NFL Draft. Corey Bojorquez has also shown inconsistency. My names David Ojabo. Matt Araiza boots 90-yard punt (!! To put that in perspective, there were only six punts of 70 or more yards by every NFL punter combined last season. Of course, draft analysis, projections and rumors will be dominating the headlines until then. Following a flourish of free agency action, theres a clearer picture of NFL team needs. It's not clear why Araiza dropped all the way down to the sixth round, but there are plenty of theories. Furthermore, Todd Sauerbrun, Rohn Stark, Johnny Evans, and Tom Skladany were all punters selected in the second round. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Matt Araiza In the first of these predictions pieces, Matt Araiza leads a cast of at least three punters selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. Heading into the pre-draft process, Ojabo was projected to be a top-15 pick. The biggest surprise is that college football's top punter, Matt Araiza, wasn't the first punter off the board this year. Here are the San Diego State Aztecs headed for the 2022 NFL Draft, from Cameron Thomas to Matt Araiza. One of the most exciting prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft is San Diego State University's Matt Araiza. 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. Not only has he shown his prowess as a punter, but Coach Maalouf adds he kicked off as well and was good at it. There have only been 10 punts of 80 yards in the entirety of college football this century. 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. Yet, in San Diego State punter Matt Araiza, the 2022 NFL Draft class might possess the most high-profile and highly skilled . 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. Chicago Bears 2023 Free Agency Roundtable: Signing we expect. | NFL All Day Pack Opening, Jimbo Fisher Isnt Leaving Texas A&M Football, New Texas State Football Coach Wont Last Long, Best PrizePicks College Football DFS Picks and Player Props for CFP National Championship, TCU vs Georgia Prediction, Odds and College Football National Championship Betting Picks, Marcus Jones Draft Profile: Stats, Highlights and 2022 NFL Draft Projection, Cameron Dicker Draft Profile: Stats, Highlights and 2022 NFL Draft Projection, How To Watch Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury In Canada, Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury LIVE! By. However, that doesnt mean that his scouting report doesnt reveal some areas for improvement. Ethan Sears. Analysis: Araiza took a step to the forefront last season and was a rockstar punter for the Aztecs. 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. That said, Matt Araiza is a generational talent at punter. 2. From the aforementioned information, it appears that Araiza is an elite punting prospect. However, what makes Araiza special is that he also kicks field goals and does kickoffs. According to NYup.com, Moulds shared a video of Shakir working out with him. Colorado States Ryan Stonehouse featured just behind Araiza this year, with an average of 50.9 yards per punt. Forces a lot of fair catches. The truth of the matter, however, is that Araiza is just the tip of the iceberg of a talented punting class. 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. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images) Tracking where Matt Araiza could be drafted in the 2022 NFL mock draft. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, . Finally, Araiza has shown toughness and athletic ability during his time at San Diego State. Together, they were unblockable. But, thats not all Araiza can do. 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. Hang time and accuracy are just as important in the NFL. Troy . 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. NFL Draft Provile. When it comes to punters, the bigger surprise is that the Buccaneers took Camarda over Araiza. For the . This wasnt just a one-off occurrence either. Punter Bryan Anger famously went five picks before Russell Wilson in 2012 with the 70th overall pick. He probably wont be the first defensive lineman selected from his own team. As Araiza prepares to break positional norms in the 2022 NFL Draft class, his prolific performances as a punter can be traced back to his roots at Rancho Bernardo High in San Diego. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Many even called him the 'Punt God.' (AV) of a punter per season who has been drafted in the last 15 seasons. Position: K. 6-2 , 200lb (188cm, 90kg) Draft: 6th round, 180th overall of the 2022 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. Araiza has made three 50-yard field goals so far this season, the second most in NCAA football. It is not a good look for a franchise that prides itself on culture and character. 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. Consistent directional punter that can kick it out to the sidelines or place it inside the 10-yard line. Redshirting his 2018 season, Araiza learned under San Diego State kicker John Barron II. 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 [] Matt Araiza 2022 NFL Draft Profile. All Rights Reserved. While Ive just talked you through a brief history lesson of punting in the NFL Draft, the San Diego State product is coming off a historic season of college football punting. Fewer punters have been more consistent than the Georgia prospect. Throughout his time as an Aztec, Araiza also successfully . Matt Araiza came into the 2022 NFL Draft as a fan favorite. Matt Araiza is one of the only players in the 2022 NFL Draft who can make an immediate impact. One other theory is that teams are afraid Araiza might outkick his coverage in the NFL. He is a threat to cover his own punts and kicks. Although he didnt participate in any all-star games, Araizas ascension has continued through the pre-draft process. But I can tell you, we just tried to do what was right, Beane said. It's probable that he would have hit a fourth for 55 yards . Chatter among leaky scouts has suggested that Faalele may be too big to play tackle in the league, that he will struggle to dip and sink to wall off the leagues premier dip-and-rip pass-rushers. What Would a Zero-RB Fantasy Football Draft Look Like in 2022? Matt Araiza is San Diego State's record-setting punter. They also dont currently have a fourth-round pick, barring some wheeling and dealing on Draft Day. 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. It's not often the best player on a team is the punter, but that was the case for the Aztecs last season. He has another 80-yard punt this season too. 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. 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). This begs the question: how well will Matt Araiza transition to the NFL? 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). With his power and quick punting style, gunners often have minimal time to cover Araizas punts. San Diego State's Matt Araiza headlines a potentially historic 2022 NFL Draft class with at least three punters picked in our projections. The biggest thing to note from the preseason is Epenesa. This power was proved in the 2021 season, as he had 18 punts of 60+ yards and two of 80+ yards. This next punt traveled 88 yards through the air, landing from his own 12-yard line to the literal goal line. Araiza denied the allegations in a statement released by his agent on Friday, but has not spoken publicly himself. But why wasnt he on the field for Georgia on third down? a general manager told NBCs Peter King at the combine. 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. He has a repeatable and pro-ready approach with consistently polished footwork. Matt Araiza is the greatest collegiate punter I have ever watched. Stop by our 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel for Bear Bones LIVE at FIVE as we get in on some mock draft fun! 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. Surely theres some NFL team that takes him earlier than you would expect. 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. Hes unlikely to be the first defensive lineman off the board. They call him Punt God. The left-footer with the big leg has been widely projected by draft analysts as the top . Current. The temptation to declare it the greatest punting class of all time is understandable. This season, Araiza has set r. And no, thats not the type of gimmicky love youll see bestowed on some other athletes in minor roles. Araizas leg power is also demonstrated as a field goal and kickoff specialist. 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. Araiza is set to be one of the highest-selected punters in recent NFL Draft history. He wound up landing at Minnesota, using the Madden video game series to swot up on the rules and regulations. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | The 2022 NFL draft is a little over two weeks away. Matt Araiza #19 of the Buffalo Bills takes the field during practice on Aug. 5, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York. The only question now is whether the franchise that selects him is stocked up on enough XXXXXXXXL gear. Of course, draft analysis, projections and rumors will be dominating the headlines until then. However, 17 punters have actually been selected on what we would now call Day 2 of the NFL Draft. Gambling problem? All this high school success mattered very little when it came to the recruiting process. No other punter has nailed two 80+ yard punts in 2021. Matt Araiza Scouting Report. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Araiza can be quite a weapon for NFL teams adding a punter in the 2022 draft. DBs and Specialists. Khalil Shakir is going down the well of a former Buffalo Bills great to hopefully improve in Year 2: Eric Moulds. Pro Football Network, LLC. As for Araiza, the Bills could potentially be getting a steal with their selection of the player known as "Punt God.". We're not controlling field position.' Araiza seems like he's going to be a good fit in Buffalo. General manager Tom Telesco spoke to the media on Thursday and was asked about Araiza in the draft. San Diego State's Matt Araiza headlines a potentially historic 2022 NFL Draft class with at least three punters picked in our projections. Mocks. Among the players expected to hear his name is punter Matt Araiza out of San Diego State. Now for the burning question: where will Araiza be drafted in April? An all-around special teams contributor, the 2021 unanimous All-American had kickoff duties for San Diego State. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Araiza was widely viewed as the top punting prospect after a 2021 college season that ended with him winning the Ray Guy award. NFL punter Matt Araiza and two San Diego State football players accused in gang-rape lawsuit. The roster has been set for awhile in the defensive trenches. Despite Araiza's incredible 2021 season, he is not expected to be among the highest-drafted punters of all time. These traits make for an incredibly impressive athlete, but how would he test at the NFL Combine? As a result, theres an ever-growing feeling that his floor in the 2022 NFL Draft will be the fifth round. In 2019, he hit 84.6% of his kicks. The San Diego State redshirt junior did so by setting an NCAA record with 36 punts of . And yet, the prediction of a multiple-punter class in the 2022 NFL Draft might surprise a few people. March 25, 2022 5 min read. Reportedly other teams did. Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News, for example, projects Araiza to go 174th overall to the defending AFC champion Bengals. 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. The whole nfl knew. He converted all but one of his 97 career extra-point attempts, too. Matt Araiza'The Weapon' Ready to Destroy Your Perception of an NFL Punter. This is what enablers do.. Tracker; Grades; Spending; Tenders; Draft. MORE:NFL Draft prospects 2022: Updated big board of top 150 players, rankings by position. This reinforces the significance of gross versus net punting averages. He was also one of four players in the nation who handled all three kicking duties (punts, PATs/field goals and kickoffs), Araiza was 18-of-28 . 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. 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. But when you boom not just one, but two punts over 80 yards, you earn some attention. At least three punters will be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft that is the prediction. 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. 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. In this graphic, there appears to be nearly no association between where a player was selected and his average AV per season. We've received your submission. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, the highest he is projected to go is in the fifth round picks 144 through 179. Obviously, the ability to pin your opponent deep in their own territory represents a significant advantage. Draft Order & Rookie Pools; . 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. and that Bill Belichick is already salivating over using a second-round pick on him in the 2022 NFL Draft. Carson Strong has a great arm but teams will worry about his injury history. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. 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.