Gang Green Nation
Taking a look at the Jets’ new cornerback
The New York Jets drafted former FSU cornerback Azareye’h Thomas in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft. Today we break Thomas down in detail.
The 20-year old Thomas is listed at 6’1” and 197 pounds. He was an honorable mention all-ACC selection in 2024. He had 95 tackles, 19 pass breakups and two interceptions in three seasons with the Seminoles.
Background
Thomas was a four-star high school recruit and headed to Florida State in 2022, where he contributed in a rotational role in his freshman season. He ended up with 14 tackles and an interception.
In 2023, he made the first start of his career and his role increased with 29 tackles and career marks for pass breakups (10) and tackles for loss (5).
He became a full-time starter in 2024 and started 12 games to earn an all-ACC honorable mention. He had a career-high 52 tackles and added four pass breakups and an interception.
Thomas was invited to the Senior Bowl and NFL scouting combine having been regarded by some analysts as a potential first round pick. The Jets selected him in the third round with the 73rd overall pick.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Thomas brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Thomas has outstanding height and length, and big hands, using these to his advantage on the field.
The concern with him is a lack of elite speed, which may be what prevented him from being a potential first-rounder, as he only ran 4.58 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day. However, some analysts feel he plays faster than his timed speed and that his style of play doesn’t necessarily require him to have elite speed to be successful.
Other than position drills, the only thing he did at the scouting combine was the broad jump, in which he posted a solid 122-inch mark. He also did the short shuttle in 4.21 at his pro day which is also about average for the position.
Usage
Thomas has been an outside cornerback for his entire career, with his only slot reps tending to be when someone else’s player motioned to the outside.
Some will suggest that his timed speed and size would make him a better fit at safety, but he has no experience of this and it doesn’t really seem like something that would suit his skill-set.
He also played on offense at high school, accounting for a total of 17 touchdowns.
Coverage skills
Thomas is a player who is most comfortable in man coverage, often employed in press coverage and disrupting by jamming at the line.
He had good coverage numbers, giving up a catch on just 50 percent of his targets in his last two season. In 2024, he only allowed 141 yards on 33 targets, with no touchdowns and a longest play of just 21 yards.
One of the most impressive...
