With six picks within the fourth spherical of the 2022 NFL draft, there was a great probability the Ravens have been going to make some shock alternatives Saturday. But no person noticed this one coming.
With decide No. 130 general — the group’s fourth of seven Day 3 picks — the Ravens elected Penn State punter Jordan Stout. Not solely is the transfer shocking contemplating San Diego State star Matt Araiza, the “Punt God,” was nonetheless on the board, however the Ravens have relied on veteran Sam Koch ever since choosing the Nebraska punter within the sixth spherical of the 2006 NFL draft.
But Koch, who turns 40 in August and has performed extra video games (256) than any Raven, is coming into the ultimate 12 months of his contract. The Ravens can save $2.1 million by chopping the 16-year veteran, who carries the third-highest cap determine ($3.175 million) amongst punters within the league.
General supervisor Eric DeCosta referred to Koch as an “iconic” member of the franchise and stated he spoke to him a number of occasions forward of the draft to alert him that the Ravens may draft a punter. “Moving forward, we’re not exactly sure what’s going to happen,” he stated. “I really just want to celebrate the guy we drafted. He’s got a big leg. … He’s a guy that we had highly regarded throughout the process.”
Stout was the primary punter off the board, and with good cause. He was named Big Ten Punter of the Year after setting Penn State’s regular-season report with a median of 46.6 yards per punt, however his accuracy was his calling card. On punts in between the 30-yard strains, Stout pinned his opponents contained in the 20-yard line 83% of the time, based on Pro Football Focus. He solely allowed a touchback on 6% of these alternatives whereas giving the opposing group a median beginning subject place of the 12-yard line.
That precision is one thing Araiza lacked. While the Ray Guy Award winner averaged 51.2 yards per punt — together with eight punts of at the very least 70 yards and two highlight-reel 80-yard bombs — he positioned simply 63% of his punts from contained in the 30-yard strains contained in the opponents’ 20, with extra ending up within the endzone for a touchback (29%) than inside the ten (27%).
Stout, who spent his first two school seasons at Virginia Tech, additionally dealt with kickoffs and served as a long-range field-goal kicker for the Nittany Lions. He ranks second in Penn State historical past with 5 subject targets of fifty or extra yards.
He additionally stated he has loads of expertise as a holder. “I think that’s one of the best parts of my game, if not the best,” he stated.
Coach John Harbaugh stated the Ravens scrutinized Stout’s holding approach when he labored out for the group. “You watch Jordan, he reminds you a lot of Sam,” he famous.
Harbaugh added that Koch is as a lot a coach as a participant, saying, “Jordan will come in here and learn from him, and we’ll just see where it goes.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com