Cornerback was poised to be an offseason need for the New York Jets with D.J. Reed expected to leave in free agency. As a result, January and February mock drafts often had the Jets selecting a cornerback as early as the first round.
Then, the Jets filled a starting cornerback spot with the surprising signing of Brandon Stephens in free agency. Fans removed the position from New York’s radar in the first few rounds of the draft.
But when Darren Mougey came on the clock in the third round, he received an opportunity he could not pass up. With the 73rd overall pick, the Jets jumped on the chance to select Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas, who had some first-round buzz entering the draft.
Some might criticize Mougey for using a third-round pick on a player who does not solve a position of immediate need, but the film shows a prospect who Jets fans should feel ecstatic about landing as late as they did. Thomas displays numerous traits that paint the picture of a long-term starting corner in the NFL.
It begs the question, though: why did he fall down to No. 73, then? What caused him to slide so far despite his first-round buzz and excellent resume? Did the Jets really get a steal, or is Thomas a true third-round corner?
Thomas’ 4.58 forty time is often cited as the reason for his slip. Despite his testing speed, though, he was still expected to be taken within the first two rounds.
It feels strange for a player like Thomas to fall so far only because of his forty time. That leads to the question: Does his lackluster 40 time show up as a legitimate issue on the field?
That’s where the film comes in.
Below is Blewett’s Blitz’s full Azareye’h Thomas scouting report (strengths and weaknesses) and film review, which features 26 plays.
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