Azareye'h Thomas NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report for New York Jets CB

The New York Jets selected Florida State CB Azareye'h Thomas with the No. 73 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Thomas is an intriguing cornerback prospect from Florida State who combines impressive length and size with promising physical tools. At 6'2" and 198 pounds, Thomas has the prototypical frame for an NFL cornerback, utilizing his long arms and body control to disrupt plays in coverage and compete in the run game. While still developing in some areas of his game, Thomas' physicality, ball skills, and athleticism make him a versatile option for teams seeking a boundary defender with upside.

Azareye'h Thomas Highlights

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Thomas' length and body control are standout traits in coverage, particularly when contesting passes. He can track the ball in flight, using his size and timing to break up passes at the catch point. His physicality allows him to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage and disrupt their timing. However, his press technique remains inconsistent, with occasional free releases that force him into recovery mode. Additionally, Thomas can be overly handsy when trailing in coverage, risking penalties at the next level. At the same time, he shows adequate speed when in phase; his ability to close ground and recover when out of position is less refined, limiting his effectiveness against quicker, more explosive receivers. His overall turnover production has also been lacking despite his ball skills.

Thomas brings a physical approach to the run game, where his willingness to trigger downhill and take on blocks stands out. He excels when close to the line of scrimmage, showcasing aggression and efficiency when blitzing or disrupting outside runs. His tackling mechanics are solid, with a tendency to wrap and secure ball carriers. However, Thomas' ability to maintain leverage is inconsistent, as he occasionally takes poor angles that allow runners to exploit gaps. Improving his awareness and reaction speed in run defense will be key for him to maximize his impact at the next level.

Azareye'h Thomas projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to develop into a starting outside cornerback in the NFL. Though he has shown decent man skills; his size, length, and physicality make him an appealing fit for press and zone-heavy schemes, where his ability to disrupt routes and contest passes will be maximized. While his technique and consistency in both the run and pass games need improvement, Thomas' athletic traits and competitive mentality provide a solid foundation for growth. With refinement, he has the potential to become a valuable contributor in an NFL secondary.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'2"

WEIGHT: 197

HAND: 10"

ARM: 32⅜”

WINGSPAN: 78"

40-YARD DASH: 4.58

SHUTTLE: 4.21

BROAD: 10'2"

POSITIVES

— Athlete with long arms and a good frame. Uses his length well in both run and pass game.

— Shows very good body control for his size, with the ability to judge the ball's flight path and ball skills to display great timing through the catch point.

— Willing tackler who triggers quickly. Physical in the run game close to the line of scrimmage and is efficient as a blitzer.

NEGATIVES

— Too often takes poor angles when approaching ball-carriers, giving up his leverage leading to big plays.

— Allows free releases in press, while often looking to slingshot back into position.

— Has lacked turnover production over his career.

NOTES

— Born July 6, 2004

— Games Started: 13

— 4 Star recruit in the 2022 class, per 247Sports

GRADE: 7.6 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 42

POSITION RANK: CB6

PRO COMPARISON: Benjamin St.-Juste

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings