By Adeniyi Precious 
The 2025 NFL Draft isn’t exactly overflowing with elite cornerbacks—partly because a lot of the top guys dealt with injuries. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some under-the-radar names worth paying attention to.
One name that’s been climbing the ranks lately is Azareye’h Thomas from Florida State. He had a solid showing at the Senior Bowl, which got scouts digging back into his game tape—and they’ve been liking what they’re seeing.
Depending on which team you ask, Thomas could be seen anywhere from a mid-tier starter to a possible steal on Day 2 of the draft. For a team like the New York Giants, who already picked up some corners in free agency, he might still be hard to pass up if the value’s right.
What He Brings to the Table
Thomas is a big, physical corner with smooth movement skills. Standing just over 6’1″ and nearly 200 pounds, with long arms, he uses his size well—whether that’s jamming receivers at the line or coming downhill to help in run defense.
He’s got quick feet and fluid hips, which is impressive for a guy his size. That allows him to stick with receivers throughout their routes. He’s disciplined, smart, and doesn’t get caught out of position often. Plus, he’s a solid tackler—he wraps up and gets guys on the ground consistently.
In zone coverage, he recognizes plays quickly and does a good job communicating and passing off receivers without getting caught in traffic. Basically, he’s got the tools to fit into a few different schemes.
Where He Struggles
The big knock on Thomas is his speed. He’s not slow, per se, but he’s not winning any track meets either. He ran a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash, which isn’t great for a corner. That can be a problem when he’s up against super-fast receivers, especially if his jam at the line doesn’t land clean.
He also doesn’t have a lot of ball production—just one interception over three years. That might be because quarterbacks avoided him more in 2024, but still, you want to see more playmaking from your corners.
So What’s the Outlook?
Thomas is kind of a wild card. Some teams might see him as a starter outside, others might try him in the slot, and a few might even consider converting him to safety. He’s versatile, physical, and smart—but not super fast or explosive. He’s probably best suited for a team that values instincts and technique over pure speed.
Could he work for the Giants? Maybe! If he falls to them in the right spot, he could be a great pickup.
Bottom line: Early Day 2 pick with starting potential, especially in the right scheme.