One of the downsides of profitable championships is seeing key position gamers generally value themselves out of a crew's vary on the open market. That's precisely what occurred when the Kansas City Chiefs let punter Tommy Townsend stroll in March, as he netted a strong take care of the Houston Texans.
A handful of months into the Matt Araiza period, although, issues are in a strong place. That consists of the primary two regular-season video games of the 12 months, in which the previous San Diego State standout has been known as upon 5 occasions.
Speaking to the media this week, particular groups coordinator Dave Toub broke down Araiza's season to this point and offered a progress report of types.
“Yeah, he’s only had five punts so far in two games but his first game with the three punts, he had two touchbacks and then he had come up with the third punt, which was a great punt, the 4.94 that we tackled for a two-yard gain,” Toub said. “This game he only had two and the goal this past week was no touchbacks, and he did that. Then, Josh (Williams) made a great play on the goal line obviously knocking that ball back for us, that was a huge play. The combination of him hanging the ball up and then the coverage getting down there doing their job, it’s going to make his job that much easier. He did make an improvement from game one to game two.”
Entering Week 3's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, Araiza ranks seventh in the NFL with a 51.2-yard common on his punts. He has three boots which have landed contained in the 20, however his web common of simply 40.8 yards trails a overwhelming majority of the league. Part of that's merely pattern measurement math, particularly contemplating Kansas City's resolution to punt from the Baltimore Ravens' 40-yard line in the opener. Araiza cannot create yardage that does not exist.
He can, nonetheless, proceed to enhance as he will get extra alternatives. Advanced metrics are merely first rate for him proper now. According to Pro Football Focus tracking data, Araiza's 4.54-second common dangle time is fifteenth out of 34 punters. He's 18th in punter EPA at 0.03, according to the Puntalytics database. As extra punts happen, his numbers will solidify extra in both course. Through two video games, Araiza is both a mean or barely above-average punter.
Araiza boasts one of many NFL's strongest legs and at 24 years outdated, his finest soccer ought to be forward of him. His profession is sort of younger, so establishing a strong ground with room to develop is a wonderfully tremendous spot to be in. Toub appears to agree.
When factoring in his value level for the 2024-25 marketing campaign, the Chiefs can get by with Araiza.
