Instead of Drafting Punter, Should Patriots Have Signed Matt Araiza?

Despite Buffalo Bills' former sixth-round draft pick Matt Araiza being available as a free agent, the New England Patriots used a draft pick on another punter, Michigan State's Bryce Baringer.

Sure, this offseason the New England Patriots were likely still in a cleansing mode after last season's 'dirty" dealings with Jake Bailey. But - especially in light of the latest court revelations further clearing his name - could they have signed former Buffalo Bills' "Punt God" Matt Araiza as a free agent instead of using a sixth-round pick on a punter in the recent NFL Draft?

The Pats drafted Bailey in the fifth round in 2019 and by 2020 he was an All-Pro and one of the best punters in the NFL. They were ecstatic with him as of last August, signing him to a four-year, $13.5 million contract extension through the 2025 season that made him the highest-paid punter in the league. But in 2022 his performance decreased, he was injured and eventually got crossways - and suspended - with the team for allegedly not properly following prescribed rehab.

Bailey was released in March and signed with the Miami Dolphins, leaving New England to search for a new punter.

There sat Araiza, who starred at San Diego State and was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 draft by the Bills. He wowed teammates during training camp and won the job over the Summer, in part, with an 82-yard punt in a preseason game.

Buffalo released him last August, two days after he was accused in being involved in a gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in San Diego. But in December prosecutors refused to pursue the case and details emerged this week that confirm Araiza left the party before the alleged incident took place. Furthermore, prosecutors say they are not convinced the alleged rape wasn't merely the girl having consensual sex with multiple men.

Innocent until proven guilty? Nonetheless, Araiza has not been signed by another team and remains a free agent.

The Bills were convinced of Araiza's ability to dominate field position, and he began proving them right during the preseason. And, with the court revelations, he is not, in fact, guilty as charged.

But instead of signing Araiza, the Patriots conducted a draft in which they became the first team in 33 years to select both a kicker and a punter in the same draft. In the sixth round, they drafted Michigan State's Bryce Baringer.

Bill Belichick has never shied away from signing players - Randy Moss, Antonio Brown, etc. - with checkered pasts.

Maybe Baringer will work out. He could be a Pro Bowl punter with a squeaky clean off-field image for years. But ... should the Patriots have signed Araiza and saved themselves a draft pick?

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