At least two of the Buffalo Bills’ picks at the 2022 NFL draft understood the assignment.
In the second round, the Bills landed running back James Cook. On Day 3, punter Matt Araiza ended up landing in Buffalo in the sixth round.
Upon the dust settling, both Cook and Araiza took to their social media accounts on Twitter and sent out pretty similar messages. The two were catering to Bills Mafia.
Picked on the second day of the event, Cook first sent out a GIF message of a Buffalo fan doing the timeless tradition of jumping through a table:
We’ll have to wait and see if Araiza pulls the stunt off. It’ll have to be in a safe environment, of course–and potentially right leg first since that left one gave Araiza the nickname “Punt God.”
It was surprising to see two punters off the board before the end of the fourth round during Saturday’s Day 3 of the 2022 NFL draft, something that’s only happened three times since 1993.
But it was even more surprising that Matt Araiza wasn’t among them.
The former San Diego State standout took the college football world by storm with his historically booming punts, winning the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter for the 2021 season. His wait was longer than some expected, but it finally came to an end during the sixth round.
Araiza was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the No. 180 pick, and he’ll join one of the top teams in the AFC.
Araiza set an FBS record with an unbelievable 51.4 yards per punt, and he had six punts of over 70 yards, including a career-long 86-yarder. No other punter in the country had more than two boots longer than that.
It’s worth noting that Araiza was also the placekicker for the Aztecs this past season, and he could potentially do the same if needed in Buffalo. But let’s be honest — it’s really about the punts.
Are there concerns that Araiza’s titanium leg could be more of a hindrance than an asset at the next level due to concerns about him outkicking his coverage? Sure. But to that I say: The special teamers should just run faster.
The Buffalo Bills have now officially covered all three phases of football at the 2022 NFL draft.
With the 180th overall selection in the sixth round, the Bills picked San Diego State punter Matt Araiza.
While Araiza was the fourth punter off the board at the draft, some pre-draft analysis of him called Araiza the top punting prospect.
NFL.com was among those praising Araiza. Earlier this offseason, the outlet wrote: “Araiza possesses elite power and field-flipping ability that could make him the highest-drafted punter since Todd Sauerbrun went 56th overall in 1995.”
That did not happen, but that’s huge praise for the prospect.
Araiza is a lefty kicker that can also take field goals in a pinch.
Truthfully, Araiza is actually known much more for something off the field.
His nickname? “Punt God.”
Having 18 punts of 60-plus yards in 2021, with two of those over 80 yards, will earn you such nicknames.
Matt Araiza has a big leg, but ST coach Dwayne Stukes hinted at punting on the prospect. What say you?
The first round of the NFL draft concluded Thursday night with the Denver Broncos not making a selection, but, entering the final two days of the draft, the team is loaded with nine picks, so the team, now with Russell Wilson at QB, can truly make luxury picks such as targeting a punter like Matt Araiza.
While a punter can have a major impact in a football game, the modern game is a passing league. So, obviously, scoring points, not playing field position, is the objective. A better goal pertaining to punters is to not have to use them. Newly-hired special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes, speaking to the media about Araiza and his big leg, eluded to punting on the prospect.
“I’ve watched him just like everybody else. Our system is a little bit different,” Stuke said Wednesday. “In our system, we’re not just looking for a guy to bang the ball 50 yards, 60 yards deep. That’s not what we’re doing. When you punt the ball or kick the ball in the middle of the field, you give your opponent more ability to score, whether it’s a kickoff return or a punt return.
“We have certain rules in our system where we would prefer to place the ball somewhere different. Again, that will show on film once we get to the preseason. I don’t want to give away all of our secrets, but yes, to answer your question. I watched him. We have specialists here who can do the same thing though.”
Denver has two punters on the roster: Sam Martin and Corliss Waitman.
Punters are an often-overlooked asset on a football squad. San Diego State punter / kicker Matt Araiza has been frequently referenced as the most talented punt prospect in recent history.
But that’s only half-true: Araiza is statistically the most talented punt prospect of all time.
As Matt Araiza prepares to break positional norms in the 2022 NFL Draft class, his talents as a punter can be traced back to his roots at Rancho Bernardo High in San Diego. Between high school punting and a love of soccer, he developed a “leg of steel” that was easily the most powerful in college football this last season and beyond.
Araiza set a number of ALL-TIME records in this past season, and the lefty has shown that punters can be tough as nails to boot.
Review of Records Matt Araiza Has Broken:
Araiza set a new all-time Football Bowl Subdivision record for yards per punt averaging 51.19 yards per punt, passing Texas A&M Brayden Mann’s all-time record of 50.98
Araiza shattered the all-time record of (32) 50+yard punts in a single season, by achieving 39.
Araiza broke the all-time record for 60+ yard punts in a single season by achieving 18.
Araiza managed six punts over 70 yards, and two in excess of 80 yards.
Araiza had the season long punt of 86 yards against San Jose State.
Araiza was this year’s Ray Guy Award winner, and after Marshall Faulk was denied the Heisman Trophy as well as the Doak Walker Award (twice) Matt Araiza became the first Aztec to win a national college football award.
So what’s his potential in the 2022 NFL Draft? Let’s take a look.
In the past 22 years, there have been several third round selections for punters. John Stark from FSU made it into the second round, way back in 1982. Ray Guy, for whom the punting award is named was a FIRST round draft pick in 1973.
A legitimate question is: can Matt Araiza also be selected in the first round? He had an excellent showing in the combine, punting with stunning accuracy, before impressing attendees with his sprinting.
Araiza doesn’t just punt, though. He was THE place kicker and the field goal point man for the Aztecs as well. Araiza has incredible poise, and does not lose his cool. In addition, Araiza was, for much of the season in 202l, leading special teams in tackles.
In the case that his placekicks were returned, which was the exception- not the rule- he had an uncanny knack for then taking down the receiver, thanks in part to his high school track skills.
Height – 6′ and 1 1/8″ Weight – 200 pounds 40-yard time – 4.68 seconds 10-yard split time – 1.61 seconds Arm length – 30 1/2″ Hand size – 9 1/2″ Wingspan – 73 1/8″ Vertical jump – 32″ Broad jump – 10′ and 1″ (or 121″)
Highlights
Strengths
Araiza can literally “flip the field.” This is no better illustrated than noting that he achieved TWO 80+ yard punts. These were certified piss missiles not to be confused with lucky bounces and rolls.
Averaging 51.19 yards per punt, Araiza is the all-time single season average punt distance leader. He is also highly accurate as a punter.
Weaknesses
As a FG kicker, his completion percentage went down each college season. In 2019, he made 84.6% of his kicks. In 2020, he dialed in 71.4%, and in 2021, he achieved 64.3%. This might have been due to a tendency for Coach Hoke to have him go for many 45-55 yarders in the latter seasons.
Araiza’s leg strength is remarkable, however he will need to cut down on the power in certain instances to further achieve NFL success.
NFL Comparison
Ray Guy? Araiza is one of a kind, hence the nicknames “Anomaly” and “Punt God.”
Draft Prediction
Matt Araiza is a certifiable weapon. This is understood by several NFL football squads. He has become a hot item on many programs’ radars, chiefly the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots.
Bill Belichick has a notable fixation on left-footed kickers.
Araiza willbe selected early on Day Two- if not late Day One.
In a trade-up scenario, who should the Vikings be looking to get in the first-round?
Over the course of this series, I have explored a myriad of situations. Some of them are likely and make complete sense, while others are relatively outlandish.
The only two things we know about the Vikings front office going into the draft are:
The Wilfs don’t want a rebuild and want to remain competitive
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah knows how to maximize the markets
In this mock, we explore trading back into the first round. While unlikely, if a top player at a position of need is available, don’t count that potential out.
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Giants Wire put themselves in the shoes of general manager Joe Schoen but without the option of trading. We made all nine picks using The Draft Network’s “mock draft machine.”
The settings were default: TDN’s predictive board, seven rounds and fast speed. We chose only for the Giants.
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These aren’t trying to be predictive in a vacuum but rather be predictive based on the situation. Each of the first five editions of these mock drafts have done just that, and this one is no different.
There is a high likelihood of a top talent being available at No. 12. Would the Minnesota Vikings take a great player at a position they don’t need? This explores that exact scenario.
