The 2022 Draft Is Stacked With Special Team Talent.

Special teams are an important part of football. Coach Belichick often refers to the three parts of the game when most only refer to offense or defense. He also keeps players on the roster solely for their special teams abilities. Matthew Slater is listed as a wide receiver but his true role on the team is gunner, he barely sees the field as a receiver. In fact Slater was on the field less than 1 percent of offensive snaps in 2021 but is a team captain. So let's take a look at some of the special teams prospects.

Let's start with the leg. I've only focused on one leg in the draft, Matt Araiza. We're talking bout a guy who kicks 80 yard punts and 50 to 60 yard field goals. And from the reports I read, everything wrong with him is coachable. Araiza is quite possible a third round pick and I have read at least one article asking how early is too early to draft a punter.

Joe Cardona has already played longer than the average long snapper career. He's done well and it's hard to find guys who can play a long time at the position. There are six guys in the draft, all listed as safeties but are long snappers that are worth aquiring. Cal Adomitis, Damone Johnson, John Taylor, Keegan Markgraf, Jordan Silver, and Cameron Kane. I don't know if any of these guys are worth a draft pick but they these six guys should find an NFL roster in 2022.

Then there are two other guys I like for their contributions. One guy would replace Brandon Bolden on the Patriots and do a little returning when not helping the punt coverage team. That's Zonovan Knight. Knight can contribute on offense just like Bolden but it's his special teams abilities that would coveted. Knight is a utility player and with the loss of Bolden, he's the perfect replacement.

The other name is Calvin Turner Jr from Hawaii. If James White returned kicks, you'd have Turner. Turner averaged over 22 yards a kickoff and over 7 yards a punt return. Turner is a former defensive player and can also help on the coverage teams. On top of that Turner is a receiving back that averaged 5.92 yards per carry and like 300 receiving yards a season on 20 catches. He's not a great passer but he's route running benefits from being a former quarterback. He's just a true football player. More versatile than Gunner. In fact he's Gunner's replacement if there was one. He's a receiving back but he can line up on offense the way Gunner was used, and play defensive back if needed.

Every year I typically include a few special teams players on my big board for the Patriots. And typically my fellow Patriots fans laugh because they have zero value for special teams. Many of the receivers I have on my big board often double as returners and the linebacker I have listed also have value on special teams. This year is no exception. Take a look at superbowl 53. If not for Ryan Allen and that punt team, the Patriots defense would've had a longer night and might not of only held the Rams to three points. The Patriots are in a rebuild and they have to address this part of their team. This year is stacked with special team talent.