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Chiefs To Sign 'Punt God' Matt Araiza After Former 2022 NFL Draft Pick Puts Legal Issues Behind Him

It took nearly 18 months, but Matt Araiza is finally back in the NFL. The player known as "Punt God" has agreed to a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to his sports agency. 

Araiza was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2022, but he didn't end up playing a single down with the team. Just four months after he was drafted, Araiza was one of the accusers named in a rape lawsuit, which led the Bills to releasing him in August 2022. 

Over the past 18 months, though, his legal situation has cleaned up considerably. First, police in San Diego announced in December 2022 that he wouldn't be charged with any crime. In December 2023, the woman who filed the original lawsuit decided to drop Araiza's name from the suit, which opened the door for an NFL return. 

The 23-year-old will now look to make the Chiefs' roster after a historical college career where he broke multiple NCAA records at San Diego State. 

Not only did he lead the nation in punting average with an FBS-record 51.4 yards per punt in 2021, but he also had six punts of at least 70 yards that season, which was the most in the country. To put that in perspective, there were only 14 punts of 70 or more yards by every NFL punter combined last season. Araiza also boomed an 86-yard punt in 2021, which was the longest in college football that season. (The longest punt in the NFL last season was 83 yards, which was accomplished by Las Vegas' AJ Cole and JK Scott of the Chargers.) 

With Araiza now in the fold, it will be interesting to see what happens with Tommy Townsend. The Chiefs' current punter is set to be a free agent, so the Chiefs could just let him walk, but that won't be an easy decision considering he's been one of the best punters in the NFL over the past few seasons. 

Although he had a slightly down year in 2023, he was coming off two seasons where he was one of the best punters in the league. After finishing second in the NFL in net yards per punt in 2021, he topped himself in 2022 by leading the league with a net average of 45.6 yards. To put that in perspective, no other punter in the NFL even came within a yard of that total in 2022 (the second-best average was 44.4). 

Townsend's 2022 average was tied for the second-highest net punting average since at least 1976, according to the Football Database. In 2023, Townsend's net average dropped to 41.8, which ranked just outside the top 15. 

As for Araiza, he hasn't punted in a live game in more than two years, so it's hard to say what kind of shape his leg will be in. But if he's still booming punts like he was in Bills' training camp two years ago, there's a good chance he'll end up making the Chiefs' roster. Although he only played in one preseason game in 2022, he made the most of it by booming an 82-yard punt for the Bills. 

For Kansas City, this is a low-risk signing with a high reward. 

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting The First Round Ahead Of The Scouting Combine

This week is the start of the NFL Scouting Combine, and so we decided to kick off the week by doing our best to predict all 32 picks in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

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Since we don't think Justin Fields will yield a first-round pick this year, trading him away and drafting Caleb Williams doesn't impact the rest of the first round and he gives them a fresh start on offense.

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The Commanders are another team starting over at head coach and quarterback so we give them Drake Maye who is a complete NFL-caliber quarterback.

I am more inclined to think the Patriots will add a veteran quarterback to replace the young guys on the roster and so we gave him the best offensive weapon in the draft.

I'm not convinced the Cardinals can't win with Kyler Murray, especially he has a playmaker like Malik Nabers to throw the football to.

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs after a catch during the third quarter as Auburn Tigers take on Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.

I considered wide receiver Rome Odunze here but tight end Brock Bowers is just too good to pass up as a weapon for Justin Herbert.

The Giants are another team that doesn't make much sense at quarterback but feel like they are going to ride with what they have so wide receiver Rome Odunze is the pick to make like easier for whoever starts.

(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

The combination of the Titans and Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt is absolutely perfect. The Titans missed Taylor Lewan and Alt is the best OT prospect I've seen since Penei Sewell in 2021.

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

If the Falcons can land LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels without having to trade up, they might be the big winners of the first round.

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The Bears need and edge defender who can do more than rush the quarterback and Dallas Turner fits the bill.

Personally, I think Taliese Fuaga has a higher NFL ceiling than Olu Fashanu but the Jets can look at Fashanu's 2022 tape and get excited about what he's capable of now.

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I am not at all convinced Michigan's J.J. McCarthy is worth a pick this high but there's a lot of buzz around him. Since the Vikings aren't likely to pay Kirk Cousins what he wants, we can see them pulling the trigger.

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

There are several cornerbacks who could make a case to be the top pick but we like Terrion Arnold's fit with the Broncos here.

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders desperately need a quarterback and so while we went with offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga here, this is a prime spot for a trade back to get one of the next best quarterbacks.

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Texas DT Byron Murphy is a fast riser in this draft thanks to a strong season and scheme versatility. This is what draws the Saints to him to strengthen the trenches.

Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY NETWORK

The run on the top three receivers and top tight end means the Colts turn their attention to defense and get Clemson lockdown cornerback Nate Wiggins.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Washington offensive lineman Troy Fauntanu gets to stay close to home and help beef up the Seahawks offensive line with a guy who can play tackle or guard.

Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Another pick and another stud on the line of scrimmage getst to stay close to where he starred in college. I love what Jared Verse brings and even if the Jags don't lose Josh Allen this is a great pick.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

I assume Jonah Williams is leaving in free agency so Alabama's big, powerful JC Latham is the perfect pick.

Syndication The Tennessean

If Cooper Dejean was healthy enough to work out this offseason, he could easily be the first defensive player off the board. Instead, he's a huge bargain to the Rams at No. 19.

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With the release of Mason Cole, this pick makes even more sense for the Steelers. Jackson Powers-Johnson is a huge mauler with incredible power and leverage.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Dolphins offense line was a mess last season so we went with the best pure offensive tackle on the board.

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Quinyon Mitchell is a cornerback who could end up the top DB off the board for a team that covets a man-coverage specialist.

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The Texans offense is already dynamic so we went with Johnny Newton to pair up with Will Anderson Jr. On the defensive line.

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I love Duke's Graham Barton as an offensive lineman who could realistically start at any spot on the offensive line and be effective. The Cowboys will love him at guard or center.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

I don't love Tyler Guyton here but many consider him a first-round pick and the Packers definitely need help at tackle.

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The Bucs stay put and get maybe the most physical cornerback in the draft and a guy who plays with a ton of confidence.

There was a time when Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry was the top cornerback in the country and while other guys have stepped up this past season, the Cardinals are getting a very good player here.

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The Bills got pushed around on defense so I went with UCLA's Laiatu Latu who is more than just a pass rusher and is strong at the point of attack.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State edge Chop Robinson is grossly underrated due to some inconsistency with his film last season but I love his potential in the Lions system.

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The Ravens got themselves an excellent receiver last year in Zay Flowers so they come back this year and land LSU deep threat Brian Thomas Jr. To pair him up with.

Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers don't really NEED anything but if they lose Chase Young, another edge is an option so I went with Alabama's Chris Braswell.

I went back and forth between Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin and Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan but finally settled on Franklin as a perfect running mate for Rashee Rice.

Daniel Jeremiah 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Marvin Harrison Jr. To Patriots, Cowboys Take OL

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The New England Patriots are believed to be among the teams eyeing a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft, but one expert believes they will go in a different direction.

In his latest mock draft, NFL.Com draft guru Daniel Jeremiah predicted that the Patriots will select Ohio State star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. With the No. 3 pick.

In that scenario, the Patriots would be passing up on 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. However, Jeremiah expects the Patriots to "go the veteran route to fill the need at quarterback."

Landing Harrison would give New England a stud on the outside who would make an immediate impact. He recorded over 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons for the Buckeyes. In the latest draft big board by B/R's NFL Scouting Department, Harrison is ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 class.

Further down Jeremiah's mock draft, the Dallas Cowboys are projected to land a cornerstone for their offensive line.

With Tyron Smith headed for free agency, Jeremiah predicted that the Cowboys would choose Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton with the No. 24 pick. 2022 first-round pick Tyler Smith is expected to take over at left tackle, which would allow Guyton to excel at right tackle. Guyton is ranked as the No. 5 tackle in the 2024 class in B/R's draft big board.

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