Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: CB Azareye’h Thomas

We proceed our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that would curiosity the Dallas Cowboys. At this time we’re defensive sort out, Azareye’h Thomas from Florida State.

Azareye’h Thomas

CBFlorida State SeminolesJunior4-star recruit 6’1”191 lbs

Photograph by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos

Historical past

Azareye’h Thomas was born on July 6, 2004, in Niceville, Florida, Thomas grew up in a household with deep soccer ties. He’s the youthful brother of Juanyeh Thomas, and Azende’ Rey, who performed faculty soccer at Florida A&M and Georgia Tech.

Thomas attended Niceville Excessive College, the place he excelled as a two-way participant. As a senior, he showcased his versatility, speeding for 421 yards and 10 touchdowns, catching 33 passes for 438 yards and 7 touchdowns, and making defensive contributions with two interceptions and 6 cross breakups. A four-star recruit within the 2022 class, Thomas was extremely wanted, receiving presents from prime applications like Florida, Georgia Tech, LSU, and Oklahoma earlier than committing to Florida State.

At Florida State, Thomas made a direct influence. As a real freshman in 2022, he appeared in 11 video games, recording 14 tackles, two tackles for loss, and made his first profession interception towards Miami. In 2023, he performed in all 14 video games and tallied 29 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 10 cross breakups, a pressured fumble, and a fumble restoration in the course of the Seminoles’ undefeated common season.

In 2024, Thomas solidified his function as a starter, showing in all 12 video games and ending second on the staff with 52 tackles. He additionally added two for loss, one interception and 4 cross breakups.

2024 Statistics

755 Defensive Snaps354 Protection Snaps52 Whole Tackles2 Sort out for Loss4 Move Breakups 16 Defensive Stops1 INT0 TD Allowed50.2 Passer RTG Allowed3 Penalties

NFL Mix/Professional Day

TBC

Awards
N/A
Scorecard

Total- 83.4Speed- 80Acceleration- 87Agility- 89Strength- 68Tackling- 80Zone Protection- 82Man Protection- 82Press- 75Discipline- 92

THE GOOD

He excels at monitoring the ball within the air, utilizing his size and physique management to high-point passes and disrupt performs on the catch level.
He shows very oily and fluid hips.
Mirrors receivers successfully in man protection with elite degree footwork.
He leverages his dimension and lengthy arms to problem receivers on the line to disrupt their timing.
A prepared and aggressive tackler.
He exhibits sound method to safe stops in open house.
His expertise in each man and zone coverages, together with some flexibility to play boundary or security roles, enhances his worth.
Incredible instincts and clearly watches loads of tape on his opponents. That is displayed by the truth that within the 2024 common season he allowed a mean of 10 yards and 1.2 catches per recreation, and allowed zero touchdowns all season.

THE BAD

His press protection will be inconsistent.
Often he permits free releases that power him into restoration mode. Within the NFL, the place broad receivers are much more athletic, this is able to current an enormous concern.
Improved hand placement and timing are wanted.
He generally struggles with fast, shifty receivers as a result of slower response time.
May be undisciplined at instances which might result in positioning errors or missed assignments, an space that could possibly be exploited by NFL quarterbacks.
He additionally has self-discipline points on run protection by taking poor pursuit angles.

THE FIT

Azareye’h Thomas combines perfect dimension, size, and motion skill, with a aggressive mindset solid by way of adversity. His faculty manufacturing and regular enchancment sign a high-ceiling prospect, although he’ll want to shine his method and consistency to maximise his potential. As a second-round prospect with starter upside, Thomas is poised to make an influence within the NFL with the appropriate growth. His play type aligns nicely with zone-heavy defensive schemes, the place he can use his traits to shut down receivers and contest passes.

To maximise his potential as an NFL cornerback, Thomas must concentrate on refining his press method, boosting his response time, strengthening protection consciousness, enhancing his bodily conditioning, and constructing psychological toughness. Along with his bodily instruments and work ethic, addressing these areas by way of coaching, movie examine, and training may help him change into a dependable starter on the skilled degree.

Thomas would match nicely with the Dallas Cowboys as a developmental cornerback with the power to shortly change into a starter. His dimension, physicality, and flexibility align with the staff’s want for a for lengthy, athletic cornerback, whereas his tackling skill addresses a previous weak spot. With teaching to refine his press method, response time, and eye self-discipline, Thomas might develop right into a key contributor. His household connection to the Cowboys and the staff’s huge want for depth on the place make him an interesting second-round draft goal with vital long-term upside.

He might contribute on particular groups, the place his athleticism and tackling shine, and in situational defensive packages (e.g., dime or nickel units) whereas he hones his abilities.

COMPARISON

A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons

BTB GRADE

forty third

CONSENSUS RANKING

forty third(Consensus rating primarily based on the typical rating from 90 main scoring providers, together with BTB)