Chicago Bears acquire several late picks in this 2022 mock draft
By Ryan Heckman
After losing Pat O’Donnell to the Green Bay Packers in free agency, the Bears have a need at punter. In the seventh round, Poles takes his shot on “punt god,” Matt Araiza out of San Diego State.
The nickname comes due to the incredible power Araiza possesses. Many of his scouting reports contain the verbiage “field-flipping power or ability” and that’s why he’s getting so much NFL attention.
Araiza booted 16 punts further than 60 yards last season, with two of them going at least 80. That’s about as impressive as it gets for a college punter.
The one thing he’ll have to adapt to when it comes to the NFL is being more aware of the corner technique instead of simply punting for distance. He has the power, but Araiza will just need to begin focusing on finding the corner and pinning his opponents inside their own 20.
This might seem like an underrated and overlooked position, but take it from any Packers fan — special teams is crucial.