10 diamonds in the rough the NY Giants should draft on Day 3
By Zak Musso
While rounds one through three will be where the NY Giants will likely find foundational centerpieces for the franchise’s future during the 2022 NFL Draft, rounds four through seven are where NFL teams build out their rosters.
Some of the most successful organizations in football over the past decade, like the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and New England Patriots, have created a winning culture by thriving in the later round of the draft, producing all-pro caliber players and elite depth.
In order for the Giants to turn their fortunes around, they need to nail rounds four through seven by finding diamonds in the rough to add quality depth to the roster. Here are 10 diamonds in the rough for the Giants to select on Day 3 of this year’s draft.
NY Giants Day 3 Draft Target: Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State
Yes, you can draft a punter. In fact, the Giants need to draft a punter. In the modern-day NFL, special teams is more important than ever. While the Giants already have an all-pro caliber kicker, they do not have a stable punter.
The Giants released Riley Dixon, who averaged 44.4 yards per punt and only pinned 24 punts inside the 20 in 74 tries, placing him in the bottom third of all punters, and signed ex-Browns punter, Jamie Gillan, whose punting average is 43.9 yards per punt, while only pinning 15 inside the 20 in 42 tries last season.
With Gillian’s marks nearly as bad as Dixon’s, he clearly is not the answer to the Giants’ punting woes. Matt Araiza could be the fix the Giants need. Araiza boomed two punts last season at San Diego State for a staggering 80 yards. San Diego State had the 17th best defense in points allowed per game, out of 130 teams, thanks to Araiza constantly flipping field position.
Araiza has the versatility to kick field goals as well, making multiple long field goals last season, including a career-high of 53 yards. If something were to ever happen to Gano in a game, the Giants would have a great plan B with Araiza. Araiza would be a massive weapon for the Giants and, by consistently pinning the opponent deep in their own territory, take some pressure off both the offense and defense.