Cornerback Azareye’h Thomas Plays Faster Than he Runs

Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas is one of the more challenging evaluations I’ve done, and it also requires a calculated leap of faith when it comes to projecting him into the National Football League.

Several of what were supposed to be the highest-rated cornerbacks suffered season-ending injuries.

This led me to Thomas, and I noticed that six different writers at NFL.com had Thomas mocked first round (nflmockdraftdatabase.com).

I knew I needed to turn on the film, and I’m glad I did.

Sticky coverage

✔️ The first thing that stood out to me was his lanky frame and long arms.

✔️ The next thing that stood out to me was that he played a lot of press-man coverage (the cornerback comes right up on the receiver he’s lined up against and mirrors his every step). This is the most “aggressive” form of pass coverage, and I love it.

Names of cornerbacks I’ve evaluated in the past, Caleb Farley, Derek Stingley Jr., and Roger McCreary, went through my mind while watching Thomas play. There were elements of all three of them in Thomas. I had a pre-draft first-round grade on Farley, and he went No. 21 overall (2021) in the first round to the Titans. Pre-draft, I had a mid-late first-round grade on Stingley, and he went No. 3 overall (2022) in the first round to the Texans. I had a late first to early-second pre-draft grade on McCreary, and he ended up going early second-round No. 35 overall (2022) to the Titans.

Thomas was like the receiver’s shadow on straight-line vertical routes. Despite some noticeable hip tightness, Thomas was tough on quick inside slants, and he was able to successfully break up several.

Elite football IQ

Thomas showed a high-level understanding of coverages.

He even participated in some ‘man-zone’ coverages where he started in man coverage (responsible for covering a particular receiver) and jumped into zone coverage (responsible for covering a particular area of the field) on the same play.

Addressing the elephant in the room

4.58

That was Thomas’ recorded 40-yard dash time at his FSU Pro Day.

Does his 40 time concern me?

No.

Why not?

His football speed looks faster than his timed 40.

What do I mean?

Thomas managed to catch up to and stop North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, who recorded a 4.46 (40).

He also kept up with wide receivers Jaylin Noel (4.39) and Jaylin Lane (4.34) on deep pass patterns in this Senior Bowl film footage. Additionally, at the Senior Bowl, he kept pace with wide receivers Jayden Higgins (4.47) and Kyle Williams (4.4) on deep shots.

Have other NFL cornerbacks run a ‘slower’ 40?

Xavien Howard 4.58 (second-round pick played for eight seasons with the Dolphins).

Joe Haden 4.57 (first-round pick played for 12 seasons with the Browns and Steelers).

#8 Azareye’h Thomas 6-1 1/2, 197 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Final NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 11.1% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 2, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2024 game film evaluated: Georgia Tech, Boston College, Memphis, CAL, SMU, Clemson, Duke, Miami, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Charleston-Southern, and Florida (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Stats: (2023) 29 tackles (21 solo), 5 tackles for loss (TFL), 0 INT, 10 passes defended (2024) 52 tackles (35 solo), 2 TFL, 1 INT, 4 passes defended

Note: Brother Juanyeh Thomas plays safety for the Cowboys

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Imposing press man prospect. Toned frame. Understands how to achieve leverage on routes. Good spatial awareness. Alert. Attentive. Quick reflexes and movements. Light on his feet. Smooth peddle and transition. Tad robotic looking. Uses hands to jam. Physically impedes routes. Good short-area close, get-up-and-go from a stopped position, and long-distance makeup speed. Inconsistent looking back for the ball on deep routes. Subject to pass interference calls. Inconsistent support on screens. Too much cushion in off-man and surrendered catches. Missed some open-field tackles. Somewhat reluctant to tackle. Blitzing upside.

Final words

Thomas is like having another coach on the field.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.