Matt Araiza came into the 2022 NFL Draft as a fan favorite. Nicknamed "Punt God," the San Diego State product became well known for booming punts 80 yards and averaging an NCAA-record 51.19 yards per punt in 2021.
The anticipation about where he would kick in the the NFL ended at the start of the sixth round. Buffalo, which attempted the sixth-fewest punts in 2021, took him 180th overall with the first pick of the round Saturday.
Here’s new Bills P Matt Araiza with an 86-yard 💣 💣 💣 pic.twitter.com/v9rLgw3Grw
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 30, 2022
Araiza wasn't the first punter drafted in 2022 despite his major following, however; he was the third off the board. Penn State's Jordan Stout was selected in the fourth round (130th overall) by the Ravens, and Georgia's Jake Camarda was taken by the Buccaneers three picks later.
MORE: NFL Draft picks, Rounds 1-7
Araiza said that he's taking that personally, per Syracuse.com's Matt Parrino.
"Let's just say I'll have a lot of motivation to go out and dominate this season," Araiza said.
Matt Araiza says people who know him know how he takes things very personal. He's a competitive guy.
— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) April 30, 2022
After being the 3rd punter off the board he said that "let's just say I'll have a lot of motivation to go out and dominate this season." 👀 #BillsMafia
Why wasn't the "Punt God" the first punter off the board? The Sporting News dives into the question on a big day for punters.
Why was Matt Araiza the third punter drafted in 2022?
Leg strength isn't everything. Here are some key stats among Ariaza, Stout and Camarda, per Pro Football Focus.
Punter | Net Yards | Yards Per Return | Inside 20 Pct | Touchbacks | Hang time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matt Araiza | 44.5 | 10.5 | 54 | 14 | 3.96 |
Jordan Stout | 45.2 | 2.4 | 58 | 3 | 4.36 |
Jake Camarda | 40.9 | 9.9 | 31 | 5 | 4.10 |
It is possible to outkick the coverage, where a punter sends the ball too far downfield and allows the opposition more time to make a return. Stout allowed only 2.4 yards per return in college; Araiza — despite his 51.1-yard gross average — allowed 10.5 yards per return, negating much of his leg strength. Stout and Camarda also keep the ball in the air longer, which gives the punt coverage team more time to get to the returner. Both posted hang times above four seconds, while Araiza was below that.
Araiza also had an issue with touchbacks with 14 in 2021, well above Stout and Camarda.
The drafting order went as ESPN's Mel Kiper expected. He listed Stout as his top punter, with Camarda second and Araiza third.
Of course, that didn't stop Twitter from watching in confusion as the two were selected ahead of the deity.
The fact that there have been two punters to come off the board before Matt Araiza is genuinely mind-boggling.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 30, 2022
Stout and Camarda are both good punters, don’t get me wrong. But it’s literally Punt God.
Jordan Stout over the Punt God?! pic.twitter.com/IQFVt4GmvN
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) April 30, 2022
Hold up
— Andy Kwong (@akwong31) April 30, 2022
Jordan Stout over Matt Araiza and Ryan Stonehouse?????
wow, Jordan Stout ahead of Matt Araiza!
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 30, 2022
the NFL’s disrespect of the Punt God Matt Araiza will not be tolerated.
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) April 30, 2022
When I see two punters get drafted before Punt God. pic.twitter.com/CAlgAUyBeo
— Patrick Engel (@PatrickEngel_) April 30, 2022
the punt god watching a punter getting drafted before him pic.twitter.com/mhCoAh14Lu
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 30, 2022
And once Araiza was finally off the board, there was plenty of celebration.
THE PUNT GOD IS COMING TO BUFFALO
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) April 30, 2022
Bills have won the punt god sweepstakes and I know @JoeBuscaglia has tears in his eyes https://t.co/NvxCfVuVvs
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) April 30, 2022
The Bills are the only team with a vibe that can truly do justice to someone with the name Punt God
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) April 30, 2022
PUNT GOD MATT ARAIZA IS DRAFTED TO THE BUFFALO BILLS IN THE 6TH ROUND.
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) April 30, 2022
I watched every snap of his career, I’m serious when I say this… I’ve never witnessed a player dominate his position the way Araiza did in 2021.
Good Luck and Matt speed.
and now the Bills have the Punt God. They might not ever lose again
— Ramzy Nasrallah (@ramzy) April 30, 2022